Alumnus and CityU Honorary Fellow Mr Francis Ngai (BA Quant Analysis for Business) who is the founder of Social Ventures Hong Kong, shared his explorative journey of being a social entrepreneur for 90 students at a lecture on 15 October. The lecture was part of the Gateway Education Course offered by Project Flame with the aims to equip students with the knowledge, attitude, inspirations and strategies to create “social innovations” through a discussion of the craft of partnership between social organisations and vehicles of market-based solutions for development. A main theme of the course is to help students develop an appreciation of social innovation and to “Make a Difference” in life by “Doing Well and Doing Good”.

As one of the guest speakers at the “International Symposium: Discovery and Idea Incubation for Realizable and Scalable Social Impact” organised by Project Flame on 5 November, Francis highlighted the power of storytelling in social enterprise and his experiences in attracting social investment and donations, and building up investment model. More than 50 participants attended the symposium including Project Flame members, CityU staff and students.

Francis shares with CityU students about his marathon adventure at North Pole, which is part of the social innovation endeavor of “Green Monday” to raise awareness on environmental protection.

Francis brings valuable insights on building up investment model for social enterprise at the international symposium.

Convocation is devoted to strengthening CityU’s non-local alumni network. It has recently supported a themed alumni reunion activity in Shanghai – “CityU Alumni Reunion@Shanghai: The Old Days” as an Event Partner.

Organized on 25 October, the enchanting evening brought together some 120 participants including alumni residing in Shanghai and China, CityU representatives and friends. The night was overflowed with jubilant memories and the participants, dressed in their nostalgic attire, were joyous to have the opportunity to get together and learn the latest updates on their alma mater. Click here to recall the happy moments.

Convocation supports a themed alumni reunion activity in Shanghai.

Convocation Chairman Miss Karmen Chan and its Standing Committee members were invited to participate in a number of university engagements in November. In her capacity as a Council member, Karmen joined the Council Dinner on 12 November which brought Council members, Court members, honorary graduates, honorary fellows and other special guests of the University together. On another special occasion on 19 November, Vice-Chairmen Mr Clovis Lau and Mr William Khoo attended a Thanksgiving Dinner joined by CityU’s donors, supporters, Council members, guests, alumni and students. These celebratory occasions provided a great networking opportunity to bridge communication between the CityU alumni body and the University.

In addition, Vice-Chairman Mr William Khoo also joined the 3rd meeting of the 30th Anniversary Organising Committee on behalf of the Convocation on 11 November to share insights on the 30th anniversary master plan.

Convocation Chairman Miss Karmen Chan (middle) joins the Council Dinner in her capacity as Council member.

Convocation Vice-Chairman Mr Clovis Lau (3rd right) joins the University management on stage to officiate a toasting at Thanksgiving Dinner.

Hundreds of smiling faces of fresh graduates, together with their families and friends were photographed at Convocation booth during the 2013 Congregation.

To introduce the work of Convocation and to welcome our “fresh-alumni” for joining the big family, a booth was set up on campus during the Congregation period from 12-22 November. Complimentary photo-taking service was offered to graduates to capture happy moments against a specially-designed backdrop with thematic slogans on foamboards prepared by the Convocation. The alumni were excited to receive a printed photo on the spot as a gift from Convocation.

Many more happy faces can be recapped on Convocation Facebook!

The Convocation booth attracts hundreds of “fresh-alumni” to stay connected to the University for alumni news and updates.

In a follow-up dialogue series with the University Council Chairman Mr Herman Hu subsequent to the earlier one held in May, Convocation Standing Committee members met with Mr Hu again on 15 November to continue its discussion on a variety of University issues pertaining to the long-term development of the University. The meeting was also joined by Dr Howard Wong, Executive Director of CityU Life Sciences Programs and also a renowned expert on veterinary, who thoroughly briefed Convocation Standing Committee members on the latest updates and development of vet school, and Ms Kathy Chan, Associate Vice-President (Alumni Relations). The occasion was attended by:

Convocation Standing Committee members had fruitful dialogue with the University management.

The Standing Committee of the Convocation would like to thank all fellow alumni who attended the CityU Banquet 2013.

The Convocation is dedicated to mobilizing alumni to support the alma mater and cultivating a long-lasting connection with the University. The festive occasion organised by the Students’ Union exemplified a strong sense of belonging of the CityU community members to the University. It was also a good chance for alumni to make new friends while reminiscing about their collective memories of campus life in bygone days.

Convocation Chairman Miss Karmen Chan shared her passion along the theme – “Dream@CityU” on stage. Members of the Convocation Standing Committee were pleased to greet alumni at the banquet and got to know our “former students” enjoyed their time back on campus on such a truly delightful night. To retrieve those joyful moments, please view the photo gallery here.

Convocation Chairman Miss Karmen Chan (standing next to the University President Professor Way Kuo) joins the toasting on stage.

“Former students” enjoy their time back on campus.

Convocation Vice-Chairmen Mr William Khoo (2nd row) and Mr Clovis Lau (1st from left), Standing Committee members Mr Cedric Cheng (2nd from left) and Mr Gabriel Ho (1st from right) greet fellow alumni at the banquet.

Applications are now open for admission to CityU undergraduate programmes in 2014. For programme details and online applications, please click HERE.

The University is grateful for the enthusiastic support from some 750 new graduates who participated in the Graduating Class Gift Campaign over the past few months. An amount of HK$118,600 including matching grant was generated to fund student development. They were very delighted to have received the specially-designed campaign graduation pin and clip to mark this momentous occasion.

A graduate shares his joy of graduation with his beloved family and friends.

More than 200 year-one students from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) got inspiration after attending lectures given by alumni Mr Vivek Mahbubani (School of Creative Media) and Ms Angela Kong (CLASS), who shared their secrets to business success and life experiences in talks entitled “Fundamentals of University Learning”.

Speaking on 4 November, Vivek gave some stunning examples on how to start a business in new media. As a self-employed new media designer and celebrated stand-up comedian, he highlighted the prerequisites of being a business owner, the importance of studying market trends, and tactics for crisis management. His young audience were inspired by his witty and constructive recommendations in the question and answer session.

In another lecture, Angela who is General Manager of the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation, shared her experience of growing up in a single-parent grass-roots family, and how she developed a tough mentality that enables her to manage problems and crises in difficult environments. She professed the key characteristics of mental toughness as Confidence, Resiliency, Composure, Courage, Motivation and Focus. She encouraged students to pursue their dreams with determination, persistence and endurance.

In closing her presentation on 18 November, Angela thanked CityU for granting her scholarships to study during her undergraduate days, and said she is committed to contributing towards the University’s further advancement in various ways.

Vivek gives a practical sharing on business startup in a new media industry.

Angela shares her definition of “mental toughness” with lively examples.

Professor Dennis Wong, Associate Dean of CLASS, presents souvenirs to Vivek and Angela to thank for their support.

Over 200 year-one CLASS students attended the lectures.

Coordinated by the Alumni Relations Office (ARO) and Alumni Ambassadors in Australia, alumni residing in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane got together in their respective cities to strengthen their networks and exchange updates. At the Sydney gathering on 8 November, Associate Vice-President (Alumni Relations) Ms Kathy Chan briefed the alumni on recent developments at the University and encouraged them to actively participate in events for CityU’s 30th anniversary in 2014, including a dinner forum to be held in Sydney as part of the celebrations. The alumni welcomed the presence of Mr Patrick Lee, Convocation Chairman of the 1st Standing Committee, who has recently moved to Australia for a short stay.

On 9 November, enthusiastic Alumni Ambassadors Mr Seki Lau and Ms Regina Ku organised a barbeque gathering in Melbourne for alumni and their family members at the beautiful Westerfold Park. Alumnus Mr Dickens Chan, who recently moved to the city on a full scholarship to study for a PhD at the University of Melbourne, treasured the opportunity to network with fellow alumni and learn the Australian culture and living style from them. Another gathering opportunity came on 10 November for the alumni living in Brisbane. Alumni and friends of CityU met at a dim sum house for a reunion initiated by the local Alumni Ambassador Ms Yoyo Lui. Speaking on behalf of the Alumni Relations Office, Alumni Relations Manager Mr Xavier Wong encouraged the alumni to visit their alma mater to see the new campus development when they came back to Hong Kong. He expressed deep appreciation to the Alumni Ambassadors for their commitment, enthusiasm and support in strengthening the alumni network.

To share the happy moments of the gatherings, please click here to view the pictures.

Ms Kathy Chan (second left), Associate Vice-President (Alumni Relations), with Mr Patrick Lee (first left), Convocation Chairman of the 1st Standing Committee, and other alumni at the reunion dinner in Sydney.

The barbeque in Melbourne provides alumni with a good occasion for reunion and family activity under the sunshine.

Alumni Ambassador in Melbourne Mr Seki Lau (left) and his wife Dr Stella Wang (right) who is also a CityU graduate, extend the ‘Caring by Serving’ spirit at the barbeque gathering by cooking food for participants.

Alumni Ambassador in Brisbane Ms Yoyo Lui (middle) brought her 2-year old child to welcome participants at the reunion.