CityU English Anthem emphasising breakthrough thinking
City University of Hong Kong (CityU) spares no effort to promote pioneering and creative initiatives, as well as inspiration for entrepreneurship. New trail-blazing initiatives include a large-scale flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, called HK Tech 300, and a programme to nurture future leaders in science, called HK TECH Tiger.
This semester, CityU continues to make breakthroughs by releasing the English version of the University Anthem Beyond Boundaries. This is the global language version in addition to the previously released Chinese versions. Along with showcasing some CityU features, the lyrics serve as encouragement for students to advance beyond boundaries, including academic research, sports development and their future careers.
The profound lyrics, written by President Way Kuo, encapsulate the philosophy of knowledge seeking and emphasise the principles upheld by scholars.
CityU is a multicultural environment with over 70% of our faculty members from overseas and over 80 nationalities represented in the student body. “Our new anthem will welcome the new cohort of freshmen,” said President Kuo. “We hope that everyone will stand tall in support of diversity for harmony, treasuring friendships and setting off on a fruitful life journey.”
Members of the campus community united once again to participate in recording the English version, including students and alumni from various cultural backgrounds and places, such as Croatia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Hong Kong.
Peter Lau Shun-hang, a Year 2 student in the Department of English, recorded the song in Putonghua, Cantonese and English. “Here at CityU, we are learning in a multicultural environment. As an English major, I’m happy to have participated in the English version. I hope the students and alumni feel a sense of belonging through the music.”
Another vocalist, Molo Myka Marie Juliana Mabuyog, originally from the Philippines, finds warmth in the lyrics. “I have been performing ever since I can remember, so being part of the Anthem is very memorable for me,” she said. “The lyrics citing ‘Diversity for harmony’ move me. As a member of an ethnic minority group here, I feel that the song voices the harmony in our community.”
During the University Welcoming Ceremony in late-August, the CityU Choir sang the University anthem, both the Putonghua version and for the first time in public, the English version, drawing warm applause from the audience.
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