This year’s CUHK Orientation Day (O Day) was held on 7 August. The College has been designing a theme for O Day each year, and this August, the College presented a new idea “Be A Chung Chi Guy!”. The theme not only introduces the attractive environment and high-quality facilities of Chung Chi but also delivers the message of “just relax” to freshmen, hoping that they can enjoy campus life in their new academic stage after experiencing the public examination.
Preparing for the Best
To attract more new students to select Chung Chi, the College drafted the theme and prepared promotional materials two months before O Day. A 20-page booklet was designed with concise information, including Chung Chi’s advantages in transportation, hostels and facilities, student activities, overseas learning subsidies, scholarships and exchange opportunities. Booklets were distributed to freshmen for their quick reference to understand Chung Chi.
The College also designed a delicate plastic folder as a souvenir. Unlike standard A4-sized and single-layered folders, the College’s one is A6-sized with three layers, making it both dainty and functional. The folders soon became popular among freshmen.
A mascot named ChillCat was also designed. For humans, cats are animals that are unwilling to be tied down or constrained, and Chung Chi was inspired by this idea and created ChillCat to represent a relaxing college life. Sometimes she is active and curious about the outside world and sometimes she loves to be alone and play “hide-and-seek”. She may also become a slurry-like creature when relieving her pressure. The College distributed ChillCat soft ornaments to new students as souvenirs on O Day.
The student ambassadors were warm and welcoming. They listened attentively and genuinely shared their own experiences at Chung Chi, leaving new students with a great impression of the College.
Making Good Impression
As in the past, O Day was held at the Yasumoto International Academic Park (YIA), and Chung Chi’s welcoming booth was set up near the main entrance of the YIA building. As freshmen must select their affiliated college by the day after O Day, our colleagues and student assistants served as “ambassadors”, making a positive impression on them by introducing the College and encouraging them to participate in the College’s introductory talks that afternoon.
At LT8 located on the second floor of YIA, where the College introductory talks also took place, colleagues and student assistants gathered to answer questions from new students. LT8 was decorated with Chill Cat installations. From the exterior walls and doors to the lecture hall, Chill Cat was presented with exquisite designs to showcase its cuteness and vitality. Freshmen can recognise the charm of Chung Chi in a relaxed atmosphere.
Surprisingly, many new students were fully prepared, having reviewed information about Chung Chi and wanted to know about specific topics, including the hostel point system, chances of earning scholarships, subsidies for exchange programmes and overseas learning activities, and even the format of General Education courses, the service targets of service-learning, types of student activities, orgranisations and groups, and the condition of facilities in hostels. Professional Chung Chi ambassadors continuously addressed their inquiries.
The College theme of O Day this year is entitled “Be A Chung Chi Guy!”. Having designed a character named Chill Cat, Chung Chi aimed to deliver to freshmen the message of “just relax” and encouraging them to enjoy campus life.
Optimised Introductory Talk
This year, Chung Chi condensed the content of the introductory talk to allow more audiences. Four talks were arranged at 1pm, 1:15pm, 3pm and 3:15pm. Around 700 freshmen attended the talks, which was about 50% higher compared to last year. All talks were crowded with freshmen who wanted to learn more about Chung Chi.
Professor Marques Ng, Dean of Students of Chung Chi College, first introduced the history and missions of the College, and then discussed various aspects including campus environment, hostels, overseas learning, scholarships, student groups, general education and assembly. Professor Ng expressed his anticipation for “Project E”, an under-construction building located next to the University station, stating that the number of hostel places and functional spaces would increase after completion. He also highlighted Chung Chi’s global alumni network of thirty thousand, noting their support for students’ learning and development through donations, mentorship, and internship opportunities.
The introductory talk presented concise but inclusive information, such as scholarships, student development projects, and general education courses, making it feel somewhat formal and not “chill” at all. However, Professor Ng emphasised that the College designed the theme of “Chill” to encourage CC-ers to choose their own campus life. With Chung Chi’s environment and resources, they can freely explore themselves in a “Work Hard, Play Hard” manner.
A booth was set up to address new students’ questions and to introduce the characteristics of the College.
Inspiring New Ideas
Chung Chi completed many new projects and activities last academic year. In addition to its first held overseas trips to Dunhuang, Xi’an and Africa, the College also launched several General Education courses, completed the renovation of Madam S.H. Ho Hall, opened the Living Room, and organised the Chung Chi Spring Homecoming Carnival.
Considering that there were students who will not join the orientation camp, the College will organise a day camp on 25 August, leading them to dine with the College Head, explore the campus, and discuss matters with teachers. Chung Chi will always bring in new ideas and creativity to provide a better environment for students.
