The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong hosted the Outstanding Students Awards Presentation Ceremony on 12 February 2025, coinciding with the joyous Spring Lantern Festival. This event honors not just their non-academic achievement, but also the contributions awardees make to their communities and the resilience they show in overcoming challenges. Since its inception in 2018, the awards have recognized over 800 exceptional students for their dedication, resilience, and talents across diverse non-academic fields.
In 2024, CUHK proudly awarded the Outstanding Students Awards to 290 individuals, including 90 individual recipients and 14 groups. These awards highlight extraordinary achievements that go beyond the classroom, celebrating the profound impact of students on their communities and their ability to face and overcome obstacles. They reflect the core values of excellence, leadership, and service that CUHK strives to instill within its student body.
The awards span five categories: Arts, Innovation and Invention, Social Service, Special Achievement, and Sports. Students were nominated through self-nomination or recommendations from various faculties, colleges, and units, including the Physical Education Unit, Faculty of Education (PEU), Office of Research and Knowledge Transfer Services (OFKTS), and Office of Student Affairs (OSA). By recognizing these significant contributions, the University encourages recipients to inspire their peers to embrace optimism and resilience in the face of challenges.
The ceremony began with a warm welcoming reception. In a special tribute to the Spring Lantern Festival, a student musical group’s singing performance enchanted the awardees, guests, and audience with their vibrant costumes and heartfelt melodies, which added a festive spirit to the celebration. Following this, the Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Dennis LO Yuk-ming, delivered heartfelt remarks, praising the awardees for their outstanding contributions. He stated, “Each experience has contributed to your growth. Your success is not just your own; it resonates with your family, friends, and mentors”
Professor LO emphasized how to inspire to achieve and impact to transform, saying, “As future leaders, you can inspire others and bring about transformative change. Each of you has the potential to create a ripple effect, impacting not only your community but also society at large. Strive to lead by example, embodying the core values of excellence, leadership, and service. Inspire your peers to embrace optimism and resilience, especially during times of adversity. Remember, it is often through our challenges that we discover our true selves and our capacity to effect change. When we share our struggles and triumphs, we connect on a deeper level, fostering a community that supports one another.”
A highlight of the event was a captivating video presentation and a singing performance that set a celebratory tone for the ceremony. Talented Year 1 student Miss Sophia WONG from CW Chu College introduced the awardees.
The certification presentation recognized the remarkable achievements of awardees across various categories. A touching video showcased the personal stories and contributions of 10 awardees for the audience to connect with their journeys.
The ceremony concluded with a standout Tai Chi performance by Miss Au Yeung Pui Yue, a Year 2 student from New Asia College and a member of the Hong Kong Wushu Team. Her impressive accolades include a bronze medal at the World Tai Chi Quan Championship and a gold medal at the Asian Junior Wushu Championship. This performance not only showcased her exceptional talent but also embodied the perseverance and excellence celebrated at the ceremony.
The Outstanding Students Awards Presentation Ceremony 2024 not only honored the achievements of exceptional students but also reinforced CUHK’s commitment to nurturing future leaders who will make a positive impact in society. We are proud of our awardees and excited for their continued contributions to the CUHK community and beyond. Let’s take a look at the awardees’ sharing and reflections below!
LIU Zelan, (Arts)
MPhil-PhD in History of Chinese Art
Graduate
“Receiving this award fills me with immense pride, as it not only marks the culmination of my Ph.D. journey at CUHK but also reflects the university’s recognition of my work. As an art history scholar, I had the privilege of diving into groundbreaking and fascinating topics that explore our culture and history. CUHK provided exceptional support through funding, scholarships, and connections with leading institutions worldwide. These resources empowered me to conduct in-depth research on specific regions in mainland China.
The university’s remarkable platform also enabled me to curate several exhibitions, both on and off campus. CUHK is not just an academic institution; it is a vibrant hub for advancing knowledge, contributing to society, and deepening our understanding of Chinese history and culture.”
Law Yuk Yi (Innovation and Invention)
Integrated Bachelor of Business Administration Programme
Year 3
“Contributing to environmental protection has always been a dream of mine. When our team leader shared the idea of this project, I saw its immense potential and decided to co-found RiceFort to address the issue of rice husk waste reduction. Despite the numerous challenges we faced throughout the journey, I am deeply grateful to my co-founders for their unwavering support and collaboration, which have been instrumental in driving this venture forward.
I am also fortunate to have received support from initiatives such as CUHK Pilots Lite Program and the Dorsett Young Entrepreneur Scholarship from Wu Yee Sun College. Their guidance and resources have been invaluable, enabling our team to turn our vision into reality.
This award is not just a recognition of my accomplishments but a reminder of the importance of teamwork, giving back to society, and staying determined. I hope my journey inspires others to explore their passions, overcome challenges, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.“
CHAN Wai Lam (Social Service – Serving the society)
Chinese Language and Literature
Year 3
“I am thankful for the trust and support from my teachers and friends, which enabled me to organize several service initiatives, such as the Dream Compassioneers charity ball, which promotes sustainable development while raising funds for water and electricity facilities in Cambodian village schools and organizing Hong Kong’s first service-themed debate competition. I appreciate the recognition from CUHK for awarding me the “Outstanding Students Awards,” which serves as a significant motivation for me.
Looking ahead, I aim to explore more opportunities to assist and draw attention to underserved communities and inspire more young people to get involved in service.”
WAN Che Ching Chloe (Special Achievement)
Medicine (MBChB) Programme
Year 2
“Debating serves as a vital platform for addressing overlooked social issues and has always been a deep passion of mine. Some might view debating as a dull, structured discussion with people blurting out fancy vocabulary. To me, fully dedicating my energy and attention to advocate for an idea compartmentalizes stress for effective management,motivating me to constantly reflect and improve.
I am deeply honored to be recognised by the university as a testament to the value of my ambition and hard work. In receiving the Outstanding Students Award, it further inspires me to pursue my passion for debate and stay informed about current events, enabling me to engage in intellectually stimulating discussions globally.”
CHEUNG Kit Ni (Sports)
Integrated Bachelor of Business Administration Programme
Year 5
“I am truly honoured to receive the Outstanding Students Awards 2024. This recognition reflects a journey filled with persistence, challenges, and growth. Balancing academics and sports has been a foundation—financial struggles, physical training, and moments of self-doubt often tested my limits. Yet, I’ve realized persistence is key, and every obstacle has made me stronger.
SUWANNURAKS Noppharada (Social Service – Serving the CUHK Community)
Integrated Bachelor of Business Administration Programme
Year 2
“Receiving the Outstanding Student Award for Social Service is an incredible honor that holds special meaning for me. I am incredibly thankful as it recognizes my dedication to fostering inclusivity,
As the president of International Student Association (ISA), I have led initiatives to celebrate cultural diversity and create a sense of belonging for international students. Through events such as orientation activities and cultural festivals, I have worked to ensure that international students overcome challenges and feel at home.
This journey has not been easy. Though I have faced numerous challenges along the way, they taught me perseverance and reaffirmed my passion. I am inspired to continue building bridges between communities and advocating for inclusivity and education in the future.”
Video links:
- Awardees’ introduction : Outstanding Students Awards Presentation Ceremony 2024 – Inspire to Achieve, Impact to Transform
- In Search of Greatness (stories of 10 awardees): 10 Inspiring Stories from CUHK’s Outstanding Students Awards 2024
- Ceremony (Recap): The recap of the Outstanding Students Awards Presentation Ceremony 2024
