The OUHK family includes thousands of past graduates. We firmly believe in the importance of encouraging them to keep their connections with one another and with us for several reasons.

First, sharing their experience of their studies and in their wide range of different endeavours since they graduated inspires and encourages our current students. Second, it helps them to maintain their links and network with one another and the OUHK. Last but not least, our alumni are enthusiastic about joining together to support their alma mater, both financially and with their expertise.

More links than ever

The OUHK Alumni Link grew significantly during the past year. A further 7,427 graduates became members, bringing the total to 37,457 at the end of March 2012. A new alumni group, the Alumni Association of Social Sciences (Full-time Programme) of OUHK, was formed during the year, increasing the number of alumni bodies to six.

Apart from the Alumni Homecoming Day cum Inauguration Ceremony of Campus Phase II Donor Wall, the Alumni Affairs Office of the Public Affairs Unit arranged a number of events for alumni and students, including the following.

Legal talk series

The talks during May 2011 highlighted some legal issues commonly encountered in the workplace and everyday life. The first talk was on ’Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, Negligence Claims and Privacy Law’, with solicitor Mr Herman Tang, a former part-time member of the Central Policy Unit of the Hong Kong SAR, as the guest speaker. Solicitor Mr Jackie Chiu, who specializes in cases involving family law, personal and work injuries, spoke at the second one on ‘Civil Cases and Insurance Investigation’; and Counsel Kevin Wong, who specializes in criminal cases, presented the third, which had ‘Criminal Law’ as its theme. About 150 people attended each session.

Nutrition talk series

The principles of a balanced diet and good health were the subjects of the Nutrition Series in October and November 2011. Ms Li Mei-kuen, Assistant Professor in the School of Science and Technology and a registered Chinese medicine practitioner, introduced the principles of ‘Health Preservation via Chinese Dietary Therapy’. Ms Jessa Chow, an Accredited Practising Dietitian of the Dietitians Association of Australia, gave a presentation entitled ‘Eat Fit!’. The last talk, ‘Get Rid of Urban Diseases’, was hosted by Ms Flavia U, Senior Dietitian at the Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital. Each talk attracted an audience of over 120 people.

Advancement talk series

Three professionals from different business sectors shared their experiences of the pathway to success during the 2012 Advancement Series in February 2012. Mr Thomas Chan, Managing Director of Wang On Group Ltd, opened the series with ‘Career Success Formula’ as his subject. Mr Leon Lai, General Manager of the International Business of Tmall.com, followed that by offering tips on how to ‘Develop a Brilliant Career’; and Dr Michael Kwong, who has extensive experience in training, introduced ‘The Enneagram – the Winning Factor’ during the final meeting. On average, more than 150 alumni and students attended the sessions.

Fund-raising

The readiness of our alumni to offer help to the present generation of students was evident from their wholehearted response to the fund-raising campaigns organized by the Alumni Affairs Office during the year.

Alumni Scholarship and Bursary Fund

More than 400 alumni and students helped to raise a total of over $500,000, during the year, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by the Vincent Woo Matching Donation Fund. The contributions were allocated to the Alumni Scholarship and Bursary Fund to assist outstanding and financially needy students.

As a token of appreciation, the Alumni Affairs Office invited all the donors to attend a number of activities, including the Legal Series, Nutrition Series and 2012 Advancement Series of Alumni Link talks, and the Italian Cheese Appreciation Workshop.

Italian Cheese Appreciation Workshop

The workshop in August 2011 attracted a full house of 30 participants. Sponsored by il Bel Paese, it introduced to participants the history of Italian cheese, and they sampled some tasty cheese dishes while listening to explanations of their attributes. The event was organized to appeal for regular donations towards the Alumni Scholarship and Bursary Fund.

‘I’m a Robotic Engineer’ Workshop

More than 100 alumni and students and their family members used plastic bricks and parts to build their own robots and programme them to perform tasks at the workshop in March 2012. Mr Jacky Yau, our alumnus and Founder of the Robot Institute of Hong Kong, volunteered to be the instructor for the workshop. The event raised $106,000 for the New College project.