CUHK President Lo Yuk-ming Urges Graduates to Persist Through Failures, Embrace Social Mission
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
Chinese University of Hong Kong held its 97th graduation ceremony on Thursday, November 12, 2026, bringing together graduates from bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs along with their families along the campus's tree-lined avenue. President Lo Yuk-ming (盧煜明) delivered an address drawing on his decades-long experience in prenatal genetic testing research, where he overcame countless experimental failures to achieve a medical breakthrough that has safeguarded pregnant women and fetuses globally. In an era marked by rapid artificial intelligence development and shifting geopolitical dynamics, Lo counseled graduates to cultivate vision, purpose, and passion as foundational pillars for their future careers and lives.
Key Points
- CUHK's 97th graduation ceremony took place on November 12, 2026, with graduates and families gathering at the campus main avenue
- President Lo Yuk-ming shared his research journey in prenatal genetic testing, initially struggling to isolate fetal cells from maternal blood before discovering fetal DNA in plasma
- Lo advised graduates facing setbacks to "pause, step back, and observe anew," maintaining open minds and accepting diverse perspectives
- In the AI era of information overload, graduates must learn to filter key points and identify truly important questions
- Lo called on graduates across all fields—business, law, education, arts, or technology—to measure success by social value, not personal achievement
Why It Matters
Lo's address offers a rare window into the mindset required for breakthrough innovation, emphasizing that true achievement transcends individual recognition. His personal narrative of persisting through two decades of failures before success provides a powerful template for graduates entering an increasingly uncertain job market shaped by AI disruption. The speech also reinforces Hong Kong universities' role in nurturing graduates who prioritize societal contribution over personal glory, a message particularly resonant as the city positions itself as a hub for innovation while grappling with brain drain concerns.
Lo's address offers a rare window into the mindset required for breakthrough innovation, emphasizing that true achievement transcends individual recognition. His personal narrative of persisting through two decades of failures before success provides a powerful template for graduates entering an increasingly uncertain job market shaped by AI disruption. The speech also reinforces Hong Kong universities' role in nurturing graduates who prioritize societal contribution over personal glory, a message particularly resonant as the city positions itself as a hub for innovation while grappling with brain drain concerns.