Graduation at the ballroom of Intercontinental Hotel Kowloon, Hong Kong is a sight to behold; this year over 500 new SHU graduates from our partner institutions in Hong Kong had the pleasure of shaking the hand of our Vice-Chancellor Prof. Chris Husbands in this ceremony especially for our Hong Kong graduates.

What is particularly impressive about the Hong Kong ceremony is the importance of the families and the part that they have played in their relative’s success. The vast majority of graduates are the first in their families to complete a degree level education, so it’s a momentous occasion for all to celebrate.

A key part of the celebration is the closing speeches by two students who call for a vote of thanks for their families for all the support they have been given, this is done in both English and Cantonese and the students turnaround en masse to thank their parents. Students are given bunches of flowers and colourful soft toys as gifts to celebrate the day, and took the opportunity to take photos with their tutors to enable them to reflect on their achievements over the course.