Swire Hall
Swire Hall (Chinese: 太古堂; pinyin: Tàigǔtáng; Cantonese Yale: taai3 gu2 tong4) is an undergraduate, co-educational dormitory in the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Opened on 11 November 1980, it is named after the Swire Group, a British transnational corporation, whose financial contributions made possible the building of the hall.
Situated up a three-storey staircase just off Bonham Road, Swire Hall consists of 11 floors, five of which are reserved for male students and four of which are reserved for female students. Residents, who are referred to as "Swirians," are known for their intense floor and hall pride. As such, there are a number of sports and club competitions held year-round among the different floors and with other HKU student halls that showcase their spirit.
Contents
Sports and Cultural
Swirians are strongly encouraged to participate in a least a couple sports or cultural teams. It creates strong bonds of brotherhood, sisterhood, and friendship among the residents although participation may sometimes take its toll on the students' academic studies. There are many sports, culture and interest groups in Swire hall, including handball, hockey, softball, squash, dancing, debate, drama, choir.
Social Responsibility
Apart from actively participating in sports and cultural activities, Swirians also put much emphasis on social responsibility. There is a Social Responsibility Committee under the Student Association which aims to foster a sense of social responsibility within all Swirians so that they would contribute to building a better society for all.
Hall Life
Diverse and exciting hall functions allow Swirians to engage and develop their own potential.
High Table Dinner
Once a month (except during the final examination period and summer holiday), Swirians hold a "high table dinner," during which a guest speaker (perhaps a university official, hall alumnus or alumna, or even a politician) will speak to the students before a catered dinner is served (usually in one of the university's canteens). Dinner is usually served in Chinese banquet, Western, or buffet-styles. It aims at cultivating sense of belonging to Swirians. Swirians will sing the High Table Song and Hall Song during the dinner. High table dinner also provides great opportunity for swirians to relax themselves and learn social etiquette.
Swire Festival
November 11 of each year is Swire Hall Foundation day. Swirians held Swire Festival thougout a week and organize different programs and functions auch as drancing and drama show.
Superpass Dinner
The Superpass Dinner is a HKU tradition that is to bless our hall mates and friends to score a GPA over 3. Superpass red packets would be given by floor representatives to floor mates. Also, Warden and every floor would write Superpass “Fai Chun”s to wish themselves and the others to pass with flying colors.
See also
External links
- http://www.hku.hk/swire/ Swire Hall
- http://www.hku.hk/ University of Hong Kong (HKU)
