There is similarity between Joe’s current job and his voluntary work as a student leader. More than 10 years ago, he served as the Council Chairman of the Students’ Union with responsibility for monitoring the expenditure of the student body. Now a financial journalist, he is a watchdog of the government, monitoring society’s financial well-being.
Joining the Standing Committee is like a refreshing respite for him that he can work together with his old friends to contribute to the alma mater with more insightful perspective. He also enjoys sharing his work experience with younger alumni.
Although majoring in Biology, Joe found his true calling in the media industry as he was fascinated by its vibrant working environment. He says young people, when pursuing their career, shouldn’t be confined by what they studied at school. They should be bold to explore and follow their hearts.
For students who want to pursue journalism, Joe advises them to ask themselves whether they are ready to take the great responsibility of protecting society’s interests and if they have strong commitment to the specific areas they follow.
Although he might not be able to apply what he learnt from Biology class to his work, the communication skills and outgoing personality that he developed while serving the Students’ Union are definitely important in his career.
Florence Ng, Standing Committee Member
BBA (Hons) Accountancy (1999)
Residing in Beijing since 2007 with her husband Timothy who is also a CityU graduate, Florence’s tie with the University has not ceased. Apart from having gatherings with fellow alumni stationing in Beijing, the couple are also enthusiastic in helping those who newly arrive the capital city to settle in the new environment, from networking to understand its culture.
With the growing alumni community in the mainland, Florence is eager to get involved to strengthen the alumni network for the betterment of the University development. She said new media such as “weibo” could be a useful tool to connect alumni in the mainland.
Her senses of pride and belonging to the alma mater developed in the schooldays through joining the extracurricular activities of the Students’ Union. The voluntary work enriched her campus life.
One of the most impressive experiences was the protest that she joined with a group of local University students to fight for a place to settle the Pillar of Shame after the vigil on the night of 4 June in 1997. After a long time negotiation until 3am, they succeeded in moving the 2-tonne statue into the podium of the University of Hong Kong.
She said students, despite their busy school work, should take the opportunities to explore in community work to maintain an all-round development.
In her spare time, Florence also engages in voluntary work in Beijing. For example, she joined with some keen animal lovers to take care of stray and abandoned dogs.
Patrick’s passion for serving the University was ignited eight years after his graduation when he joined an exchange camp with alumni and students to celebrate the University’s 15th anniversary. He enjoyed sharing his experiences with the youngsters and realised the importance of alumni to the University. Since then, he has become active in alumni work. Patrick joined the CityU Alumni Association and served as its Chairman from 2002 to 2007, meeting many like-minded and devoted alumni.
In 2005, Patrick and 20 experienced and enthusiastic alumni leaders joined the Organising Committee of the Convocation and was a member of the Provisional Standing Committee. Both committees helped to lay the foundation of the Convocation with the mission to forge communication links among alumni and between alumni and the University. In 2007, Patrick was elected as the Chairman of the First Standing Committee and he led his comrades to organise a wide range of activities. Through the various alumni activities, he got the chance to mingle with youngsters and understand their thoughts.
Apart from serving the University, Patrick is also an active volunteer in community services and has been Chairman of Raleigh International Hong Kong, a charity which aims to develop young people by improving their self-confidence and teamwork.
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What is Convocation? The University Convocation, which comprises all graduates of the University, is a statutory body formed in accordance with the University Ordinance (Statute 10) aiming to strengthen and promote the relationships among members of the Convocation, between the Convocation and the University, and between the University and the general public. It works towards promoting the objectives and activities of the University. The Chairman and Standing Committee members of the Convocation are elected by and from the members of the Convocation. Please contact us through the Convocation Secretariat with contacts as follows:
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