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CUHK Holds “Literary CUHK” Essay Competition Award Presentation Ceremony
An award presentation ceremony was held on 2 November for the third “Literary CUHK” essay competition, organised by the Chinese Language Teaching Development Centre of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature (Chinese Department), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). After nearly six months of collecting and reviewing articles, the University has selected 24 winning participants and presented them with awards.
Prof. Lai Pan Chiu, Interim Dean of Arts Faculty, CUHK officiated at the award presentation ceremony and said, “The winning students contemplate society and personal life through the form of literature. Words are to reflect their contemplation, recording their most valuable memories during college life.” This is also the goal in organising “Literary CUHK” – to promote literary creation in the campus, encourage students to coalesce views they might have with the scenery or community of CUHK. Literature can be a medium to express how they see CUHK, and this form of reflection can be projected further into society. Winners of this year’s competition include students, alumni and research students from different faculties and departments, proving that literary creativity does not fix itself on any particular school or faculty but belongs to everyone who deeply connects with CUHK.
The award-winning articles describe the natural beauty of CUHK, the scenic view of Tolo Harbour and reflect on self and society. Writers in the competition illustrate the beauty and culture of CUHK and also express their personal thoughts.
“University Chinese” is a compulsory course for all undergraduate students at CUHK, proposed and designed by the Chinese Department. To motivate students’ interest in learning Chinese, the department has organised teaching material for students by combining the unique historical background and environmental features of CUHK. This includes a collection of selected literary works about CUHK, known as 《中大‧山水‧人文》. Some school literary and heritage walks were also organised for the Chinese course. These activities encourage students to feel the power of literature. Since 2015, the Chinese Language Teaching Development Centre of the Chinese Department has been planning the “Literary CUHK” for all students to arouse their interest in creative writing in Chinese and enhance their observation and expressive skills through the writing competition. It is good to see that students’ works draw much from those of famous writers, which demonstrates the great power of literature.