With “Connect, We Grow” as the theme for this year’s Homecoming, the day presented a fulfilling opportunity for alumni to reconnect, exchange ideas, get updates on University developments, and reminisce about CityU. On the programme were some 30 diverse activities for alumni and their families, staff and students. These included guided tours of CityU’s state-of-the-art laboratories and HK Tech 300’s IncuHub, along with visits to the Library, Indra and Harry Banga Gallery, and Student Residence. Arts and entertainment events provided further highlights, ranging from Chinese cultural performances and workshops to stand-up comedy and an online musical.

The Sports Carnival and Fun Zone gave those attending the Homecoming a chance to keep fit as well as test their skills with an array of high-spirited games and workout challenges.

Meanwhile, a host of activities arranged by CityU units and alumni groups added to the enjoyment, including seminars, workshops, handicraft classes, and alumni get-togethers.

To highlight the immense contribution that alumni make to CityU and the University’s ongoing development, an Alumni Appreciation Event was held at the Homecoming, with some 50 alumni leaders from 19 alumni groups meeting together on campus. At the gathering, Dr Ron Kwok, Director of the Alumni Relations Office, warmly thanked the alumni leaders and presented special gifts as a token of the University’s gratitude. Those attending also took the opportunity to connect with peers and representatives from CityU academic departments and units on future support for the University.

from ARO to all alumni, speakers, participating University units and alumni groups for organising activities at Homecoming:

CityU Convocation
CityU Counselling Graduates Association
CityU Social Work Alumni Association
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering
Department of Biomedical Engineering
Department of Chinese and History
Department of English
Department of Information Systems
Department of Linguistics and Translation
Department of Management Sciences
Department of Marketing
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Media and Communication
HK Tech 300
Indra and Harry Banga Gallery
Run Run Shaw Library
School of Creative Media
School of Data Science
School of Energy and Environment
State Key Laboratory of Terahertz and Millimeter Waves
Student Development Services
Student Residence Office

The presentation ceremony for the two recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award (DAA) took place on 14 November 2022, attended by around 190 guests, including University management and business and community leaders. 6th DAA recipient Mr Simon Hui [BA (Hons) Business Studies, 1991] and 7th DAA recipient Dr Sunny Chai (EngD Engineering Management, 2011) were recognised for their distinctive contributions to their professions, the University, and the community. Mr Hui is an entrepreneur whose company, E.P.S.A. Corporation Limited, has grown into a well-known retail brand in Hong Kong, assisting the growth of local SMEs and the community. Dr Chai, known as the “King of Scales”, has led a number of breakthrough reengineering programmes through his family business, Fook Tin Group Holdings Limited, and promoted research and innovation in the local manufacturing sector. The biennial award has been organised by ARO since 2009.

Amid the challenges of the pandemic in 2022, ARO launched diverse initiatives with the support of CityU Convocation to engage with fresh graduates during the online Commencement. Celebration Widgets were produced, including personalised graduation e-cards, augmented reality (AR) filters, WhatsApp and Signal stickers. Following the virtual graduation ceremonies, on-campus photo-taking was arranged in June and July 2022, a highlight being a giant 3D floor sticker at Wong’s International Terrace where graduates could pose with family and friends.

An online talk under the CityU Tiger Programme for outstanding undergraduates was held on 19 October 2022, with College of Engineering alumnus Mr Eric Chen as the guest speaker. Mr Chen has been listed in Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30 Asia: Manufacturing & Energy” and named one of “Ten Outstanding New Hong Kong Young Persons”. In 2010, he established Vitargent to build an efficient platform to test and certify the safety of food, drinks, and cosmetics. During the talk, Mr Chen shared thought-provoking stories about his career, including 10 lessons he learned from his entrepreneurial journey and his biotechnology innovation for toxicology testing using transgenic fish embryos.

Two pitching skills workshops were organised in October and November 2022 for CityU Tiger Programme members, facilitated by Mr Alvin Leung, Chairman of the CityU Department of Management Alumni Association and Advisory Board Member of CityU Alumni Ambassador Scheme. In the first workshop, “Mindset Focus”, Mr Leung helped students identify the pitching mindset and skills essential for selling an idea, building connections, and expanding networks in the workplace and business world. The second session, “Skillset Focus”, provided more practice to improve students’ presentation techniques.

An alumni-student Christmas cocktail party, co-organised by the Global Engagement Office (GEO) and ARO, brought together non-local alumni and final-year students on 10 December 2022. At the event, Mr Iñaki Amate, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce and President of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, shared with alumni and students how he became a pioneer in the service design industry and a business leader in Hong Kong. Alumna Ms Nistha Mitra and Ms Leona Li, student from the Department of Media and Communication, discussed their experiences as mentor and mentee under the CityU Leadership Alumni Network.

Alumnus Mr Dixon Ip, Co-Founder of sensory ZERO and Sensory Artisan, conducted a wonderful coffee-culture workshop for fellow alumni at a virtual reunion on 9 July 2022. Co-hosted by the GEO and ARO, the get-together drew more than 50 alumni. The reunion also featured fun online quizzes, prepared by the Global Ambassador Club, for alumni to learn more about their alma mater.