The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (the Academy) organised its 34th Graduation Ceremony today. Held at the Academy Lyric Theatre, the ceremony was officiated by Council Chairman Professor Stephen Chow Chun-kay, GBS SBS BBS JP.
Academy Director Professor Gillian Choa extended her sincere congratulations to the Class of 2020 at the ceremony, applauding them for completing their studies with patience and determination under the pandemic. Professor Choa encourages graduates to embark on the performing arts journey with passion and sincerity, and contribute their talents to the performing arts industry: “Life and your career in the performing arts may not always be a smooth journey, but please remember that there is always a way forward and you should not give up too easily. If it is something you believe in or are passionate about, give it all you can with sincerity and tackle problems fervently as they come. In your journey as performing artists, I truly believe that opportunities will emerge amidst challenges and in the least expected circumstances. When they do, you need to be brave enough to embrace them and act upon them wholeheartedly.”
Professor Choa also shared that in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, the Academy has remained 1st in Asia for three consecutive years and ranks 10th in the world in the Performing Arts category. Professor Choa conveyed her heartfelt appreciation to members of the Academy community, and said, “The Academy will continue to strive for excellence in nurturing performing artists and maintaining our strong commitment to lead as well as to further strengthen cultural developments for the local community, the Greater Bay Area and the region.”
This year, 304 graduates from the six Schools of the Academy, namely, Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts were conferred Master’s Degrees, Bachelor’s (Honours) Degrees, Advanced Diplomas, Diploma Foundations, Diplomas, or Certificates.
The Academy Council Chairman Professor Stephen Chow Chun-kay officiated at the 34th Graduation Ceremony.
Academy Director Professor Gillian Choa wished the graduates to embark on performing arts journey with passion and sincerity.
Academy graduates share the joyful moment amid graduating under the pandemic.
Council Chairman, Academy Director, Deans of 6 Schools and students adhere to social distancing for the Graduating Class group photo. (Above is the group photo of School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts students.)
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (www.hkapa.edu)
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning. Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own Undergraduate and Post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master’s Degree programmes and below. The programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera are accredited by HKCAAVQ for recognition under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006. In the QS World University Rankings announced in 2021, the Academy is ranked 1st in Asia and 10th in the world in the Performing Arts category.