• Faculty Highlight
• Expressions Winter 2024

Graduates Begin New Chapter

Faculty honours Class of 2024 and prize winners at 213th Congregation

Graduating students of the Class of 2024 were joined by their families, friends, and HKU Faculty of Dentistry staff members as they celebrated the successful completion of their academic studies at the 213th Congregation cum Diploma and Prize Presentation Ceremony on 22 November 2024.

Held in the Grand Hall, Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre at the HKU Centennial Campus, the ceremony was presided over by Professor Chak-sing Lau, HKU Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine. The event was a proud and happy occasion for both staff and graduating students, representing the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and determination, and the start of a new chapter for Class of 2024.

During the ceremony, academic qualifications were conferred on 31 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 33 Masters, 73 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), and 6 Advanced Diploma graduates. In addition, prizes were awarded to three students for their outstanding achievements in academic performance or clinical skills in the previous year.

Faculty members and guests on stage applaud all the graduands and prize winners.

Dr Spencer Chiu-yee Chan, President of Hong Kong Dental Association, presented the Hong Kong Dental Association Continuing Education Prize to Dr Charlotte Chan and the Hong Kong Dental Association Scholarship to Dr Ka-yi Lee and Dr Charlotte Chan. Dr Charlotte Chan was also awarded the Rebecca Ho Prize for Dental Student of the Year by Professor Lijian Jin, Acting Dean of the Faculty, and the PPDH Board of Governors Prize by Mr Huen Wong, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Prince Philip Dental Hospital. Dr Sin-yi Ng received the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons Prize from Professor Walter Lam, Chair of the Hong Kong Regional Committee of The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

In his address, Professor Lijian Jin, Acting Dean, congratulated the graduates, saying: “Today is your day, and it marks a significant milestone in your life journey. We are so proud of each and every one of you for achieving this first of many major goals in your professional and academic careers.” He said that the Faculty was privileged to host the students and to have helped them on their path to fulfilling their dreams. He invited them to keep close ties with their alma mater after graduation and encouraged them to care for the public community in Hong Kong and beyond, noting their duty “to serve our people for their oral health, general well-being, best quality of life, healthy ageing, and integrated One Health.”

Dr Gordon Kwong, representative of the BDS Class of 2024, delivers the valedictory speech.

A highlight of the ceremony was the swearing of the Hippocratic Oath by the entire BDS Class of 2024, led by Dr Jasmine Chong. This solemn moment underscored the dental graduates’ commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in their future clinical practice and officially marked the beginning of their independent careers as responsible and compassionate dental professionals.

May our future be bright, our impact meaningful, and our journey fulfilling.

Dr Gordon Kwong, representative of the BDS Class of 2024, gave the valedictory speech on behalf of the graduating class. He thanked his parents, family, and fellow students, as well as all staff at the Faculty for their unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement throughout the six-year BDS programme. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the BDS course, including workload pressures and obstacles brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said: “I think it was in these moments of perseverance in the face of exhaustion that we truly began to understand the resilience required of our chosen profession.” He stressed the importance of graduates providing patient care to the highest standard and continuing to advance their knowledge and skills, concluding: “May our future be bright, our impact meaningful, and our journey fulfilling.”

The Faculty warmly welcomes the new graduates to its vibrant alumni community, and looks forward to supporting them in their future pursuits and celebrating their continued success, as they make a positive impact in their communities and the broader dental profession.

Professor Lijian Jin, Acting Dean, congratulates the graduates, welcoming them as new alumni.

Faculty members make their way to the stage at the start of the ceremony.

Professor Chak-sing Lau officially confers a degree on a graduand at the ceremony.

BDS Class of 2024 take the Hippocratic Oath in front of staff, friends, and family.

BDS graduates reflect on their achievements and look forward to their futures.

A graduate proudly stands on stage after being conferred his degree.

Stage party joins the audience in congratulating BDS Class of 2024.

Graduates celebrate their joyful milestone together after the ceremony.

From left: Professor Esmonde Corbet and Professor Patrick Rijkschroeff.

A graduate cherishes the special occasion with his family.

Professor Richard Su and new graduates of the MDS in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Group photo of Doctor of Philosophy

Group photo of Master of Philosophy, Master of Dental Surgery and Master of Science

Group photo of Bachelor of Dental Surgery

Prize Presentation

• Hong Kong Dental Association Continuing Education Prize

• Awardee
• Dr Chan Cheuk Kwan Charlotte
• Presenter
• Dr Spencer Chan, President of Hong Kong Dental Association

• Hong Kong Dental Association Scholarship

• Awardee
• Dr Lee Ka Yi
• Presenter
• Dr Spencer Chan, President of Hong Kong Dental Association

• Hong Kong Dental Association Scholarship

• Awardee
• Dr Chan Cheuk Kwan Charlotte
• Presenter
• Dr Spencer Chan, President of Hong Kong Dental Association

• Rebecca Ho Prize for Dental Students of the Year

• Awardee
• Dr Chan Cheuk Kwan Charlotte
• Presenter
• Professor Lijian Jin, Acting Dean

• The PPDH Board of Governors Prize

• Awardee
• Dr Chan Cheuk Kwan Charlotte
• Presenter
• Mr Huen Wong, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Prince Philip Dental Hospital

• The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons Prize

• Awardee
• Dr Ng Sin Yi
• Presenter
• Professor Walter Lam, Chair of the Hong Kong Regional Committee, The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons

Dr Ka-yi Lee receives the Hong Kong Dental Association Scholarship from Dr Spencer Chan.

Dr Sin-yi Ng receives the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons Prize from Professor Walter Lam.

Dr Charlotte Chan receives the PPDH Board of Governors Prize from Mr Huen Wong.