亲爱的同学们：
2005年，也即是三年半以前，270名充满青春活力的学生融入了UIC，给UIC--这个新生婴儿以生命的第一缕呼吸。这缕呼吸让我们坚信，UIC将为国家创造新的高等教育模式。新生儿诞生时，母亲总是要经历巨痛，UIC在创办初期所遇到的困难可想而知。但因为有你们，我们克服了初生的痛苦。你们的选择，更是激励着越来越多的高中生在求学路上勇敢地探索新的道路。
2005年，我们只有从北京师范大学珠海分校租借来的教室和两个临时的办公室。
在2006年入学的学生是首批享用我们自己的教学和行政大楼B区和C区的学生。而至2007年10月，大概推迟了一个月，我们的整个校园正式竣工了，在新校园里迎来了07级的学生。随后，我们很快把目光投放在早在两年前对学生承诺的新学生宿舍的建设上。不料因意外的因素阻碍了工程的进度，这不仅给部分学生带来了压力（特别是05、06级学生），也迫使他们体验到了建校初期付出的艰辛。
06、07和08级的学弟学妹们与第一批先行者共同应对挑战，不断向前迈进；来自世界不同国家的老师不懈努力地帮助你们；年轻、能干的行政人员也克服了许多困难，为你们提供内地从未有过的服务：香港的高等教育管理体系在珠海建立了。我们拥有共同的梦想--为创新中国高等教育模式而不懈努力。
每一个经历创校艰辛的人，都诚心地祝福你们。你们一直在机遇和危机交融、成功和失败交集的环境中成长，你们已经战胜了无数的考验和磨难。
先行者，苦乐同行，是希望和梦想让他们远离士气消沉。我们只希望更好地服务于我们的学生、家长和社会，担负先行者的责任。
UIC是先行者，你们也是。作为学校重要的组成部分，你们以创业者的创造精神和梦想积极参与到为国家创新教育模式的过程中。但这还不够，你们还应该拥有服务型领袖精神：在这种创新教育中吸取精髓，推动这个全新的教育理想在现实中发展，以回馈你们的父母和社会。没有父母和老师的付出，你们不可能享有今天的一切。你们要努力把学业学好，回馈父母和社会，让创新教育取得成功。
不要太计较过去经历过的波折，你们当中有部分人已经成功踏入第八个学期，那是你们在本科教育中最后一个学期。作为05级学生，你们将展现UIC首届毕业生的风采，这是一个巨大的挑战。世界急切地想知道--这一群独特的孩子是否已经成长成为引领世界的大人。
在这一条不寻常的探索路上，我们有些队员会气馁甚至迷失方向，这也是正常的。有人希望甚至要求UIC提供一个舒适、稳定的环境，这与一个新生机构的发展规律是相悖的。在这条披荆斩棘的路上，如果没有责任感和使命感，我们的试验就容易变味，容易滋生病态的情绪。
我们常说的"适者生存"也不符合UIC和你们的实际，毕竟UIC还没有完全装备好去应对所有的挑战。但是，我们都在努力，为共同的梦想奋斗，为世界创造有价值的东西。我们不仅克服了困难，还创造了一支高效、坚定的团队。我们是排头兵，正开创一个新的领域，挑战未来不可预知的挑战。我们需要勇气去克服所有的困难。你们也显示出了高度的包容、坚持和理解，给我们留下深刻的印象。
在广东省委书记汪洋来访之后，UIC已经成为珠三角地区创新教育的一个示范。来自香港、澳门以及其他国家的大学也将来到珠三角地区，建立联合学院。你们宝贵的经验将向他们证明UIC学生带来的真正的改革和发展。
在困难和挑战的潮涌中，作为UIC先锋团队的成员，你们已经展示出真正的创业者的品质。在开拓发展的道路上，我们需要明确的方向和坚定的信念。世界变化很快，未来不可预知，我们可能不知道会走到哪里。但我们最初的使命和坚定的信心可以帮助我们不断开拓新的成长与发展空间。我们必须克服内心对未知的恐惧，为更好地迎接挑战，学会灵活变通。先行者总是行走在未知领域。正是这种挑战与个人能力的互动，让我们培养了出符合未来需求的人才。遭遇挫折是在所难免的。当别人在享受成功时，你可能会斗志消沉，愤愤不平，甚至怀疑自己的努力，但你们要知道，这是考验你们的耐心和毅力的机会！这些时刻，坚信自己能在人生大海中找到新的地平线，将让你们燃起希望，变得更加勇敢。
我喜欢的美国导演、作家Woody Allen 曾经说过的一句话："如果你没有时不时经历失败的话，那就代表你并没有在做一些富有创造性的事情。"
失败其实只是战役。不用担心在战役中失利，因为你有可能最终获得战争的胜利。未来世界需要心智成熟、富有创造力、正直谦逊、服务于社会的人才。这意味着我们不能违背自己的原则和方向，而应该在浮躁的社会中寻找正确的路径，为未来建设一个美好的世界。
如果我们一直有重新站起来的勇气和信心，我们就不会害怕在压力和失败中成长。就像美国著名将军George Patton 鼓励他的士兵说："我评价一个人的成功，不在于他能爬升多高，而在于他跌到最低点后能反弹多高。"
凭着信念和勇气，你们将不断从过去的失败点上反弹到新的高度。
作为UIC先锋团队中成熟的一员，你们要勇于拨开迷雾，希翼明天的彩虹。UIC以你们的坚韧为豪。世界也将会记住你们任凭借责任意识和奉献精神，为点亮明天的彩虹而做的努力。
你们其中有一位同学曾用手机发短信给我，说"有時對學校是有些小情緒，但昨天梦到自己畢業時候泪流滿面。時間過得太快......"
是的，时光过得太快，特别是我们一起奋斗的日子。请相信，每一天都将是美好的回忆。
郭少棠
2009年3月8日
翻译：黄山青（大一环境科学专业） 校对：Cheryl Chen（UIC365best体育官网入口中心）
March 8, 2009
Dear Students:
Oh how time flies!
Three and one-half years ago around 270 students first joined the class of 2005 and gave this newly born venture, United International College (UIC) its first breath of life. This was a breath borne of the conviction that UIC would become a new model for higher education for our country. The labour pains experienced by a mother during birth is one of the most intense pains conceivable. Yet together with you we have survived the excruciating pain of birth. Moreover, your commitment to this newly born college has inspired increasingly more high school students to search for a new path in their academic advancement.
The 2005 class started their schooling in the rented classrooms of BNUZ, with the two temporary offices of teachers and administrative staff close by.
Then came the 2006 class. They were the first to enjoy Zones B and C - our very own teaching and administrative buildings. After a delay of a month or so, the whole campus could finally be called our own and its completion in October 2007 marked the welcoming of the 2007 class. Our attention soon focused more and more on the construction of the new student hostels which had been promised earlier to the students in the past two years. But unexpected interruptions resulted in further delays and this not only created pressure on a small group of students, mostly those from 2005 and 2006 classes, but forced them to experience unnecessary hardships during the first phase of the building of the college.
The 2006, 2007 and 2008 classes have joined forces with you to enable this challenging project to take a major step forward. Your teachers from different parts of the world have tried hard to help you. Young, talented administrative staff have overcome their fears to meet the challenges of providing services that have never been offered in the Mainland: a Hong Kong tertiary education management system that would be localized in Zhuhai. All of us share the same dream - to contribute in the pioneering a new educational model for China.
Everyone who has given their heart to experience this birth and its painstaking trials wishes the best for all of you. However, this does not exclude the daily stream of ever newer problems and challenges, all the while accompanied by the sometimes successful and sometimes futile attempts to tackle these problems and meet these challenges head on. You have survived and overcome this continuous trail of trials and tribulations.
Pioneers all experience both joy and sorrow. But it is hope and vision that have protected them from the dangers of demoralization. We wish to serve our students, parents and the community by performing well in the role of pioneers.
UIC is a pioneer. You are also pioneers. And as an integral part of UIC you combine the creative spirit of entrepreneurship with the vision to participate in the development of a new educational model for the country. But that is not enough. You should also possess the spirit of a servant leader: to be cultured in this new model and at the same time pay back parents and society by contributing in weaving this unprecedented dream into reality. Without the sacrifices of your parents and teachers, you would not have been able you to reach the stage you are now at. By trying to make the best out of your studies in UIC, you will repay your parents and society by making this pioneering project a success.
Regardless of the ups and downs you may have experienced here, some of you have now successfully stepped into the 8th, and last term of your studies in undergraduate education. For the 2005 class, you will be taking up the challenges of providing UIC with its first cohort of graduates. The world is anxiously waiting to see how this unique cluster of infants may have finally transformed into young men and women who will provide leadership for the world.
It is not uncommon for some of the members of the team to lose heart or even their sense of direction on this difficult road. Some may expect or even demand that UIC provides a comfortable and stable environment which is not in keeping with the growth and development process for a newly born institution like ours. Without the kind of commitment that enables us to prevail amidst the wind and rain throughout this path- breaking journey, the experience may easily turn sour, brewing ill feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration.
The common saying of "survival of the fittest" may not be applicable to UIC and you because we are not fully equipped or prepared for all the challenges. But all of us have been willing to strive. We share a common dream, to serve and create something meaningful. We have not only survived but proved to be a dynamic and determined team of pioneers. We are record-setters, opening new horizons which will lead us to tackle unforeseen problems.
We need courage to face all these challenges and you have impressively demonstrated the qualities of patience, persistence and understanding. After the visit of Mr. Wang Yang, the Guangdong Provincial Party Secretary, the College has been established as a model for the future development of the Pearl River Delta reform and development.
Other universities from Hong Kong, Macao and the other parts of the world will come into the region to try to set up joint venture universities. Your experience will be valuable for them to study and gain a better understanding of how students from UIC represent true reform and development.
Surfing on the waves of all the difficulties and challenges as members of the UIC team of pioneers, you have demonstrated true qualities of authentic entrepreneurship. On the road of creative development, what we need is direction and faith. We may not know the final destination of our future because change is rapid and unknown. What will help us explore new avenues of growth and development is our ultimate sense of direction and the faith to strengthen our determination to move forward. We have to overcome our internal fear of uncertainty. In order to gather more strength to cope with challenges, we have to be flexible and adaptive. Pioneers tread on uncharted terrains. However, it is exactly this kind of interaction between challenges and skills and our capacity to meet with them, that will ultimately cultivate qualities that the world of tomorrow needs. At times you will slip, stumble or fall. Setbacks are not uncommon. Frustration and dissatisfaction will occasionally test your patience and perseverance, while the success of others may be disheartening to your fighting spirit and even cause you to doubt why you are still striving on. These are moments that your faith in searching for a new horizon in the sea of your own future will be the light that gives you hope and enhance your courage.
One of my favorite American film directors and writers, Woody Allen once said, "If you¹re not failing every now and again, it is a sign you¹re not doing anything innovative."
Failures may be just battles. Don¹t worry about losing the battle because you may be winning the war. The future world will demand leaders who are emotionally mature, intellectually creative, and socially committed to serve with humility and integrity.
This means that we will not compromise our principles and directions. Instead we will walk through the stormy environments of today to find appropriate solutions to create a better world for tomorrow. We should have no fears of working under pressure or even failing if we have the determination and courage to stand up again.
Just as the famous American general George Patton once urged his soldiers, "I
don¹t measure a man¹s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits the bottom."
With faith and courage, you will keep on bouncing back to new heights.
To be a mature member of the UIC team of pioneers you need to look beyond the mist of today by fixing your eyes on the rainbow of tomorrow. UIC is proud of you for your perseverance. The world will also remember you for your adult efforts to light up the rainbow of tomorrow with your dedication and commitment.
One of your fellow students sent me a message over my mobile:" 有時對學校是有些小情緒，但昨天梦到自己畢業時候泪流滿面。時間過得太快.... " ( at times I have some emotion toward the college, but last night I dreamt that when I was graduating, my tears ran all over my face. Time really flies too fast)
Yes, time really travels fast especially when we are together striving for a better
future. Everyday is a day to remember.
Edmund S.T. Kwok
