Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) hosted the Mainland Alumni Dinner in Guangzhou for the first time on 8 May. The dinner attracted approximately 180 guests, including Mainland and HKSAR government officials, institutional partners and Mainland alumni. The University shared the latest development blueprint and introduced the ongoing Alumni Donation Matching Scheme – “Turn $1 to $3” Campaign, aiming to support alumni joining local and Mainland outreach activities and strengthen ties between alumni.

The Dinner was organised by the Development and Alumni Affairs Office. Notable attendees included Mr Patrick Chong Kong-sang, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong of the HKSAR Government; Mr Peng Jianxin, Level I Bureau Rank Official in the Guangdong Liaison Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR; and Mr Ma Shengli, Level II Division Rank Official in the Guangzhou Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League of China.

Also in attendance were representatives from closely collaborating institutions, including the Zhongshan Institute of Changchun University of Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Jinan University and South China Normal University.

HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing shared the University's latest development. He emphasised the University's full support for the HKSAR Government's plan to develop the Northern Metropolis University Town. HKMU aims to leverage the geographical advantages of the Northern Metropolis to deepen industry–academia–research collaboration with enterprises and research institutions in the Greater Bay Area. He also discussed the transformation of MU Tower in Hung Hom into a hub for executive training and start-up incubation, bringing together industry partners and startup teams. Additionally, an innovation and entrepreneurship centre will be launched in the fourth quarter of this year to facilitate the translation of research outcomes into practical applications and innovations.

Prof. Lam stated that every step of HKMU's development would not have been possible without the support of the alumni and partners. “Looking ahead, the University will continue to collaborate closely with the Mainland alumni network, driving research innovation and talent exchange,” he said.

Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, Vice President (Research and Institutional Advancement), also shared the University's latest milestones in driving research, particularly the HKMUSZRI, which officially opened in March this year, marks an important step for the University in expanding its research footprint in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area. He added that the University established the Graduate School in September 2025 to provide all-round support for research postgraduate students and assist them in pursuing innovative research.

Ms Zenobia Chia Hoi-ka, Director of Development and Alumni Affairs, shared that, thanks to the generous support from the Katie Shu Sui Pui Charitable Trust, the University launched the Alumni Donation Matching Scheme – “Turn $1 to $3” Campaign. She said, “every HK$1 donated by alumni will be matched with an additional HK$2 from the Trust. Every act of kindness is tripled, bringing three times of support to HKMU.” The alumni donations will be used to support alumni's local outreach activities, while the matching funds will support their outreach activities in the Mainland. Taking the lead, Dr Katie Shu made an upfront donation to support the Alumni Association's first Chongqing alumni exchange tour in June.

Mr Jet Chou Sai-kit, HKMU Alumni Association (HKMUAA) President, took the opportunity to thank alumni for their support to HKMU and looked forward to continuing to work together to contribute more to the higher education sector in Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area. To foster collaboration among alumni across the higher education community, representatives from the alumni associations of several institutions were also invited to join the dinner, including South China Normal University Alumni Association, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies MBA Alumni Association, Peking University HSBC Business School Guangzhou Alumni Association, China Europe International Business School Alumni Guangzhou Chapter, Jinan University EMBA Alumni Sodality, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business Guangdong Alumni Association, Alumni Association of the Hong Kong University Institute for China Business Guangzhou Chapter, The Chinese University of Hong Kong EMBA Guangzhou Alumni Association and EMBA Alumni Council of the School of Business, Sun Yat-sen University. They engaged in cordial exchanges with the HKMUAA and presented commemorative souvenirs to one another, symbolising their shared hopes for enhanced cooperation between the education institutions.

In addition, the evening featured a special guest performance by renowned Mainland singer Mr Huan Liao, who performed two classic songs closely associated with Guangzhou. The night concluded with a full-audience singalong of a timeless hit, through which he conveyed his support for HKMU and helped lift the atmosphere to an exciting climax.

HKMU representatives attending the dinner also included Prof. Charles Kwong Che-leung, Vice President (Administration and Corporate Development); Prof. Janet Wong Yuen-ha, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences; Mr Thomas Lee Yat-cheung, Acting Director of Mainland and International Affairs; Mr Wilson Chan Wai-chung, Director of Research Affairs and Knowledge Transfer; and Ms Lee Pik-kwan, Director of Public Affairs, who engaged with guests and alumni.