Revel in the festivity of the season

Christmas is a time to acknowledge blessings, share joy and care, exchange good wishes, and have fun. Above all, it is a time to celebrate the end of the year. At FLASS, we embrace this festive spirit with a sumptuous lunch. As Christmas approached, faculty management, department heads, programme leaders, and administrative staff came together on 10 December 2024 at a hotel in East Tsim Sha Tsui to indulge in a buffet, and reflect on the year gone by.

Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, thanked all faculty and administrative staff for their tireless efforts throughout the year. “The faculty has faced and met many challenges this year. We have successfully completed the triennial Planning Exercise Proposal (PEP) for 2025-28. As a result of this exercise, the faculty has transformed existing Bachelor of Education programmes into double degree programmes, and introduced a new four-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Personal Finance,” he said.

“A comprehensive review of the PGDE programmes was conducted earlier this year. We held a management retreat in March to discuss challenges and strategise our work, and we expertly completed the third Quality Assurance Council (QAC) audit in May. The annual Faculty Assembly cum Awards Presentation Ceremony took place in July, followed by a series of orientation activities in August to welcome new students. In November, we organised two graduation ceremonies to honour the achievements of our graduates. This year, we have also put in extra effort for the QS World University Rankings exercise through surveys and participation in the QS Higher Ed Summit in Macau,” Professor Li remarked.

The Dean also took this opportunity to bid farewell to Ms Cathy Lau So-lan, senior personal secretary of FLASS. “Cathy joined the University when it was still called the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) and has worked at the faculty since 2008 until her retirement in early 2025. She has been a cornerstone of our team, expertly managing my schedule, ensuring that I never missed an important meeting, and keeping me on top of crucial deadlines. Cathy, your contributions have been invaluable, and you will be missed more than words can express!” Professor Li said, wishing her a retirement filled with joy, adventure, and happiness.

The faculty Christmas party was in full swing after Professor Li’s speech. As participants grabbed their plates and headed for the buffet tables, they delighted in a wide range of food choices. Flavorful roasts and cured meats, colourful side dishes, decadent desserts, succulent seafood, sashimi, salad vegetables, and drinks elevated the gourmet experience to a new level. Faculty and administrative staff alike indulged in a feast for both the eyes and the palate along with lively conversations in the festive atmosphere of the gathering. The memories of the party would linger long after the last bite had been savoured.

As the most joyful season of the year drew near, it meant the coming of the New Year was right around the corner. Professor Li noted that the faculty would face new challenges in 2025 as more students are recruited and new programmes offered alongside research and knowledge-transfer projects launched. “With the high team spirit and commitment to excellence exhibited in the past, we can definitely overcome all these challenges to achieve great success again,” he said.

View the following snapshots and video to feel the festivity of the faculty Christmas party.

Please click here for the video.