Alumni are the best ambassadors to make the OUHK story come alive. The University’s open access policy and multiple modes of learning have led to a congregation of alumni spanning a rich spectrum of background and age groups, including executives, blue collar workers, housewives, retirees and school leavers. This year, the newly established Alumni Affairs Office drummed up efforts in membership recruitment for our Alumni Link scheme and organized more bonding activities for alumni, from an Alumni Homecoming Day, an a capella concert and graduate group photo sessions, to insightful talks on parenting and career advancement. Alumni bodies formed by volunteer graduates and students continued to organize social and academic activities, including seminars on stress management and various business topics, a tour of historic frontier sites in Beijing, and photo-taking tours and parties for new graduates. Alumni eagerly participated in these events and offered support for the University’s fundraising and other endeavours, affirming their pride and joy of being linked to the OUHK and celebrating the value of their precious study life at their alma mater. With a view to building a more closely-knit OUHK alumni community, the Office made preparations to consolidate the alumni database and set up an online exchange portal.
Giving back to their alma mater
Since 2005-2006, Drs Richard Charles & Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation has pledged a matching grant on a 2:1 basis, and later a 1:1 basis for donations towards the Alumni Scholarship and Bursary Fund. In 2009-2010, over $500,000 was raised from occasions such as the 20th Anniversary Banquet and a cappella concert, and from the annual calendar card and graduation gown deposit appeals. The a cappella concert on 28 November 2009 at the Serena Yang Lecture Theatre of the OUHK’s Ho Man Tin campus featured the performing group Songbird, which was founded by former members of the Hong Kong Children’s Choir. Over $1 million was injected into the Fund after these fundraising efforts, making available more scholarships and bursaries for students.
20th Anniversary Alumni Homecoming Day
Some 400 alumni came back to the OUHK on the 20th Anniversary Alumni Homecoming Day on 17 May 2009 to revisit collective memories with former fellow students and teachers. It was a joyous and heart-warming gathering, spiced with tea parties, wine tasting, tours of new facilities, and student and alumni performances. In honour of the University’s logo, most were dressed in blue or green, pausing in the festivities to make history again by joining for a group photo.
Launch of new book on graduates
A highlight of the Alumni Homecoming Day was the launch of the new book, Dreams No Longer Far Away (in Chinese), which recounts inspirational stories from 20 graduates. The event was officiated by then University Council Chairman Dr the Hon Charles Lee Yeh-kwong, Deputy Chairman Mr Edward Cheung, President Prof. John C Y Leong, and 20th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee Chairman Mr Vincent Woo. Also in attendance were several graduates whose stories were featured in the book. Of these, four graduates shared their student and life experience with the audience.
Naming ceremony of Woo Wing Fai Student Centre
Another signature event of the Alumni Homecoming Day was the presentation of a golden key, by OUHK Honorary Fellow Mr Vincent Woo to the representatives of the Students’ Union, to mark the official opening of the Woo Wing Fai Student Centre. The new student centre was named after Mr Woo in appreciation of his generous donation of $1 million in support of the Campus Phase Two construction.
Lee Shau Kee School of Business and
Administration Alumni Homecoming activities
The School held its Alumni Homecoming Day for local alumni on 20 September 2009 with the support of several student societies. The day included ball games, seminars and a carnival in the Multi-purpose Hall. It also organized several events in collaboration with its academic partners in different mainland China teaching locations — Fuzhou, Shunde, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Xian in June and July to reconnect with its over 8,000 MBA graduates. All participating alumni were presented a 20th Anniversary Stamp Pane Commemorative Set as a souvenir. They also enjoyed forums and talks on financial issues conducted by distinguished alumni and professionals, alumni sharing, dinner occasions, and a variety of performances.
Alumni Link parent education seminar series and career talks
The Alumni Affairs Office organized two parent education seminars in August 2009 and three career talks in January and February 2010. Mr Thomas Chan and Mrs Teresa Chan, known as ‘Oxford Dad & Mum’ as all their three children are graduates of the prestigious university, talked about how to turn kids into A-grade students. Mr Matthew Lui, OUHK graduate and one of Hong Kong’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2006, gave advice on how to help kids quit video game addiction. DBS Bank’s Institutional Banking Managing Director Mr Steven Lai spoke on the prospects of the banking industry. In another talk, listed companies Independent Non-executive Director Dr Michael Kwong gave tips on interview preparation and writing application letters. Borghese Limited Brand Manager (China) Ms Betty Wong and Training Manager Ms Suzanne Choi discussed career opportunities in the cosmetics industry, demonstrated make-up skills for job interviews, and provided suggestions on dress and hair styling.
