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To Do and to Be
(27 June 2017, Shantou and Hong Kong) Mr Li Ka-shing, Honorary Chairman of the Shantou University Council, officiated at the Shantou University (STU) Commencement Ceremony this morning. Mr Li believes that now more than ever, students must be ready to do and to be in order to capture the exponential opportunities in the oncoming AI age.
Speaking at the Commencement Ceremony as the guest of honour, renowned novelist and Nobel Laureate Professor Mo Yan encouraged the graduates to aim high while staying pragmatic. Professor Mo quoted Napoleon Bonaparte saying, “Every French soldier carries a marshal's baton in his knapsack.” He encouraged the graduates “to be daring enough to encounter challenges, like swallows weathering through storms, and fear nothing no matter how mammoth the difficulties.”
Professor Mo also urged the graduates to throw themselves into the fourth industrial revolution to fight vigorously and be champions and role models in their respective fields. He told the graduates to be people who do not see themselves as great but be regarded as great by those around them.
Addressing the graduates, Mr Li said if students want to be an “exponential” power surfer, they would need to develop the mindset of a deep thinker, the skillset of a speed understander as the foundation for “to do”. The willful blind will be the first to be disqualified because they turn “possibles into impossibles” and can’t see the wood for the trees. He cautioned those who only yearn to “win at the starting line” - by being born into family wealth or being gifted - your destiny is not guaranteed; even with you have everything, willful blindness can lead you to nothing.
Mr Li posited that the clear winners in life strive to give a meaningful account of why they do exist. The thrivers know that life is a skill based on discipline and practice precedes perfection. He took inspiration from the words of WB Yeats: “How can we know that dancer from the dance?” Students must prepare endlessly, struggle against fatigue and pain, to achieve masterful perfection for the transcendent “to be” moment on stage where the master reveals himself.
Mr Li quoted Wang Yang Ming “conscience is the true teacher of life “and said it is food for the soul. Mr Li added that “a mindful leader knows his limits but aspires to exceed them.” He urged the students to be “affective and driven, leap into the future with generosity and gratitude, with confidence and imagination. Live your life to its truest, in duty, in dignity and aspire a world of openness and change.”
In addition, Mr Li took his son Mr Richard Li - Director of the LKSF, on a tour of the campus, sharing with him his aspirations and thoughts on education and the reforms he wants to push in the future. They took a ride through the campus on a golf buggy.
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Professor Mo Yan gives a thumbs-up to STU graduates and tells Mr Li Ka-shing that the STU Commencement Ceremony is the most touching one he has ever attended.
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Mr Li Ka-shing takes a group photo with guests, STU council members, faculty and students at the Commencement Ceremony.
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Mr Li tells Mr Richard Li, Director of the Li Ka Shing Foundation (LKSF), important architectures, landmarks, history as well as development plans for the Shantou University. The landmarks that both have visited include the Bell of Truth and the university reservoir.
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Mr Li introduces to Richard Li the “Living World Series” sculptures by world renowned Chinese artist Ju Ming and explains the meaning of Ju’s famous quotes “Hell is within he living world, but the living world has a paradise, which way would you go? It’s all decided by you.”
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Strolling along the embankment of the university reservoir, both Mr Li Ka-shing and Mr Richard Li review and look ahead the development that the Li Ka Shing Foundation will bring to the Shantou University and their hometown.
About the Li Ka Shing Foundation
Established in 1980, the Li Ka Shing Foundation (LKSF) has four core imperatives: 1) empower people, 2) foster change, 3) develop a better society, and 4) inspire societal improvement. Mr. Li considers the Foundation to be his “third son” and has pledged one-third of his assets to it. To date, over HK$20 billion has been put to work to support all its initiatives across 27 countries and regions. Over 80% of LKSF’s donations benefit projects in the Greater China region.
For more information, please visit: http://www.lksf.org.
For inquiries, please contact:
Li Ka Shing Foundation
Jeremy Lau
Tel: (852) 2128 1207
Fax: (852) 2128 1766
Email: jeremy.lau@lksf.org