Speeches

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
School of Pharmacy
White Coat Ceremony 2017
cum 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner
4 November 2017
Speech by Secretary for Food and Health

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Professor (Joseph) SUNG [Vice Chancellor and President, CUHK], Professor (Francis) CHAN [Dean, Faculty of Medicine, CUHK], Dr (John) LEONG [Chairman, HA], Hon Joseph LEE [LegCo member], Prof (Joan) ZUO [Director and Professor, School of Pharmacy, CHUK], Prof (Vincent) LEE [Chair, Organizing Committee of the ceremony], distinguished guests, dear students, ladies and gentlemen,

 

  1. Good evening. It is my great pleasure and honour to join you all in celebrating this wonderful occasion. First of all, my hearty congratulations to the class of 2017. I would also like to express my appreciation to all of your family and friends, who have loved and supported you throughout all of your challenges and achievements. You all deserve a big round of applause.
  2. Today is definitely a day to remember. The White Coat Ceremony signifies the beginning of your journey into the field of pharmacy. Nowadays, pharmacists play an indispensable role in all facets of our healthcare system. They shoulder a wide range of duties including dispensing medications, educating patients on the use of prescriptions, advising physicians, nurses and other health professionals on medication therapy decisions and providing expertise on the composition and use of drugs. With the growing importance of medical-social collaboration in our society, community pharmacists are also playing a significant role in educating and monitoring the use of drugs in Hong Kong.
  3. My young friends, you have just embarked on a voyage which will be exciting and challenging, but will be the most momentous journey of discovery and learning you have ever taken. This is the very day when you start wearing your responsibility and professionalism, and committing yourself to a greater cause for our society.
  4. I am glad that you have all committed yourself to pharmacy as your profession and devoted to a greater cause for the betterment of human kind. As in the Oath of a pharmacist that you are going to recite, you promise to devote yourself to a lifetime of service to others through the profession of pharmacy. May I encourage you not only to devote yourself to the advancement in the pharmacy profession, to the well-being of people but also to the betterment of our community as a whole.
  5. Speaking about public participation, with a view to encouraging young people to participate in public policy discussion and debate, the Government has recently announced a pilot scheme to appoint more young people to various government committees with the aim of increasing the overall ratio of youth members to 15 per cent within the current-term Government. I do encourage all of you to take this opportunity to contribute your views to the Government for the betterment of Hong Kong.
  6. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the CUHK School of Pharmacy on its 25th Anniversary. Over the past two and a half decades, the School has successfully nurtured over 700 devoted pharmacists and shaped the healthcare landscape in Hong Kong. My heartfelt congratulations to the School on its achievements and my best wishes to all of you in your next chapter of life.
  7. As the Secretary for Food and Health, to safeguard public health, provide quality medical services, ensure food safety and environmental hygiene will be top priorities on my health agenda. My team and I will continue to work hard for the betterment of Hong Kong.
  8. May I wish you all the best with your studies and career. Thank you.
12 Apr 2019