University staff were called to exemplify love and knowledge to derive the best out of life, during the lunar Year of the Fire Rooster celebration organised by WOU at the main campus today.
THE LION DANCE PERFORMANCE AND GOD OF PROSPERITY INSIDE THE HOMESTEAD.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dato’ Dr Ho Sinn Chye, referring to the recently launched WOU News Ticker, spoke of that day’s quote by Bertrand Russell, a well-known thinker and philosopher in the 20th century, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. The quote was, ‘The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.’
PROF HO BORN IN THE YEAR OF THE ROOSTER.
He added that what was not displayed on the running ticker was an equally inspiring line from the particular quote that reads, ‘Neither love without knowledge, nor knowledge without love can produce a good life.’ In the context of WOU, he stressed, “If we can harmoniously blend and balance love and knowledge well enough in work and outside of work, we can enjoy a good life. We can enjoy the camaraderie of the people we work and share experience with as colleagues in an institution that provides and consumes knowledge,
To the laughter of the crowd, Prof Ho showed that he can be hip and does keep up with the times when he named Rooster celebrities like tennis players Serena Williams and Roger Federer and music artistes Britney Spears and Rod Stewart. He further spiced up the event when, upon asking those born in the Year of the Rooster to raise their hands, he gamely chimed in, “I should also put up my hand because I am also one.”
PROF HO EXALTS STAFF TO WORK HARD.
He highlighted the birth characteristics, pointing out that “Roosters are supposed to be hard working, very committed, dedicated in the sense of being very serious in their job. So let us hope we will also share and display these kind of attributes, even more so this year.”
YEONG (LEFT) LIGHTS THE FIRECRACKERS.
Next was the lighting of firecrackers at the Homestead porch by Prof Ho and Chief Operating Officer Yeong Sik Kheong. This was followed by the lion dance while the God of Prosperity also put in an appearance, handing out beverage packets. The lion dancers and the God of Prosperity visited a few offices in the Chancellery to bestow blessings and good luck.
BLESSING THE OFFICE OF K H CHONG, DIRECTOR OF MARCOM AND REGIONAL OPERATIONS.
Staff and guests were entertained by juggling acts by WOU’s full-time students, Robin Cheah Kai Yang, Chow Bai Quan and Ng Xin Pei, before the commencement of lunch.
Among the guests present were Members of WOU Board of Governors, Tan Sri Dr Chin Fook Weng, Loo Choo Teng, Ooi Teng Chew, Chia Loong Thye and Emeritus Prof Dato’ Dr Wong Tat Meng; Luxoft Managing Director Ewan Manomohan; and Tricor Corporate Services Director Chew Siew Cheng.
NG XIN PEI SHOWS HER SKILLS AT JUGGLING THE CHINESE YO-YO.
