News

AlumNews (July 2024) – Cheers to July

The second half of the year has just begun, and in this issue of AlumNews, we are pleased to bring you a message from President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng! At the same time, summer at PolyU remains dynamic. We look forward to your participation!

PolyU Members Commended on the 2024 Honours List

Our sincere congratulations go to the PolyU members who have been recently honoured or appointed Justice of the Peace by the HKSAR Government, in recognition of their significant contributions and dedicated services to the community. They are (in alphabetical order of last name):  Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) Ir Professor CHAN Ching-chuen, GBS Mr Robert NG Chee-siong, GBS Dr TAN Siu-lin, GBS Dr Samuel YUNG Wing-ki, GBS, MH, JP Silver Bauhinia Star (SBS) Mr SIU Chor-kee, SBS, MH, JP Professor Timothy TONG Wai-cheung, SBS, JP Dr Stanley YIM Yuk-lun, SBS, JP Distinguished Service Medals for the Disciplined Services and the ICAC Mr Derek Armstrong CHAN, FSDSM Mr HOI Wai-ming, FSDSM Mr LEUNG Wai-lok, FSDSM Bronze Bauhinia Star (BBS) The Honourable KWOK Wai-keung, BBS, JP Mrs Linda LAU HUNG Man-yin, BBS Mr Alan LO Kam-lun, BBS Mr Francis LUI Yiu-tung, BBS Dr MA Kai-yum, BBS Mr Paulo PONG Kin-yee, BBS, JP Professor Jin-Guang Teng, BBS, JP Mr Ricky TSANG Chi-ming, BBS, JP Meritorious Service Medals for the Disciplined Services and the ICAC Mr Bryan IP Siu-keung, IMSM Mr LEE Chung-wah, PMSM Medal of Honour (MH) Professor Albert CHAN Ping-chuen, MH Mr CHIN Hon-fai, MH Dr Miranda LOU Lai-wah, MH Chief Executive Commendation for Community Service Mr Clement CHEUK Sin-cheong Professor WONG Ka-hing Chief Executive Commendation for Government/Public Service Mr Michael LAM Siu-chung Ir Leakey LAU Lik-kee Justice of the Peace (JP) Mr Jack CHAN Hoi, JP Ms Clara CHAN Yuen-shan, MH, JP Mr WONG Hin-wing, MH, JP We apologise if any recipients have been inadvertently omitted. If you have not been included in the list, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at alumni@polyu.edu.hk.

30 Years of Friendship: PolyU Alumni Reunion Dinner 2024

On 12 July 2024, the “30 Years of Friendship: PolyU Alumni Reunion Dinner 2024” was successfully held at the PolyU Student Halls of Residence (Hung Hom). Over 200 alumni gathered with the senior management to celebrate their enduring bonds that have withstood the test of years, while also rejoicing in the 30th Anniversary of PolyU achieving university status. The choice of venue for this event holds great significance. The Hung Hom Halls, completed in 2002 and hosting an alumni dinner the following year, now welcomed the event dedicated to PolyU alumni once again after two decades. Many participants took part in the special guided tour organised before the dinner, exploring the hall facilities and reminiscing about their fond memories in a unique atmosphere. The dinner commenced with a splendid performance by the PolyU Student Affairs Office Chinese Orchestra. Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President of the University, delivered a warm welcome speech, expressing sincere gratitude to all the alumni who have actively supported the University. President Prof. Jin-Guang Teng also attached great importance to this occasion, and emphasised his delight in meeting alumni who graduated at least 30 years ago. He took this opportunity to share the latest developments of PolyU in person, encouraging alumni from different generations and disciplines to stay connected with the University and continue moving forward together with their alma mater. The educational excellence, impactful research, fruitful entrepreneurship, and other achievements of PolyU made everyone feel proud. As a major celebration for the PolyU alumni community, the dinner offered a diverse and rich programme. The event embraced the theme of “denim outfits”, with a meticulously designed venue and a delightful culinary experience. Attendees not only eagerly caught up with one another, but also enjoyed lucky draws and quiz games, which featured generously sponsored prizes from enthusiastic alumni and academic units. After toasting, the graduates were presented with commemorative pins and took group photos with their peers in excitement. The convivial atmosphere prevailed as the Alumni Band and talented students performed classic hits in the later part of the dinner, captivating everyone in attendance. At the end of evening, the 3 “Best Dressed Award” winners, voted by all participants, took the stage and showed their attire again amidst a big round of applause. The warmth and joy of the close-knit PolyU alumni family filled the night.  Each one left with a gift in hand and much laughter.  The Alumni Affairs Office extends heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their considerable support, and looks forward to receiving each graduate again on the “Alumni Homecoming Day” on 19 October 2024, creating even more unforgettable memories with everyone on campus. For more photos and highlights of the event, please refer to our Facebook post and photo album.  

PolyU Jiangsu Alumni Network Established

On 6 July 2024, PolyU Jiangsu Alumni Network was officially established. Dr Lam Tai-fai, Chairman of PolyU Council, Professor Jin-Guang Teng, President, Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President, Professor Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation), Professor Li Xiangdong, Dean of Faculty of Construction and Environment & Chair Professor of Environmental Science and Technology, Professor Jiannong Cao, Director of Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Things & Chair Professor of Distributed and Mobile Computing, Professor Lu Haitian, Director of Mainland Development, Dr Sean Xu, Assistant Director of Mainland Development, guests from the Jiangsu Provincial People's Government, mainland universities’ representatives, PolyU's sister Alumni Networks as well as Alumni Networks of other mainland universities, alumni and friends in Jiangsu, gathered to witness this memorable moment. The first General Meeting of Jiangsu Alumni Network was held, followed by the celebration dinner for the establishment. Dr Lam delivered a warm welcome speech, congratulating the establishment of Jiangsu Alumni Network. He hopes that Jiangsu Alumni Network could unite alumni in Jiangsu and give back to the alma mater. President Teng also took this opportunity to express that the establishment of Jiangsu Alumni Network would actively contribute to national development of PolyU. During the event, Dr Lou presented appointment letters to the first executive committee members of Jiangsu Alumni Network. Dr. Jiang Yisong, President of Jiangsu Alumni Network, shared the Network’s upcoming initiatives and goals. The event concluded successfully amidst laughter and joy.

OPAA Master Class 2024: Achieving Entrepreneurial Success

The Outstanding PolyU Alumni Association (OPAA) successfully hosted the "OPAA Master Class 2024: Achieving Entrepreneurial Success" on 27 June 2024, drawing broad participation from over 120 alumni, students, and staff members of the University. The event featured a speaker forum with two outstanding alumni sharing their entrepreneurial journeys. They were Dr the Hon. Johnny Ng Kit-chong, MH, JP, a Member of the Legislative Council and Founder and Chairman of Goldford Group; and Mr Fang Bing, Co-founder of Hai Robotics. Ir Dr Samson Tam Wai-ho, JP, President of the Association, moderated the panel discussion, which was joined by Ir Alfred Sit Wing-hang, GBS, JP, Director of the Association. Dr Ng recounted his career trajectory, highlighting the pivotal support he received from PolyU and his pioneering introduction of facial recognition technology to the market. He detailed his evolution from an engineer to a technology entrepreneur and eventually to a venture investor. He also shared two key factors for young entrepreneurs: the "zero starting point mindset", which advocates for innovation rather than resting on past achievements, and the importance of continually questioning one's motivations for starting a business. Mr Fang expressed his deep gratitude to PolyU for the entrepreneurship education and funding support that were instrumental in his journey. He recognised the challenges of starting a business, including its demanding and often solitary nature, but also pointed out the invaluable insights gained through the process. He further emphasised the importance of innovation and market awareness for start-up success, and encouraged young people to pursue their dreams with a thorough understanding of the environment and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. The engaging presentations prompted a lively discussion session with the audience. In his concluding remarks, Dr Tam praised the speakers as exemplary entrepreneurs and role models for the younger generation. He also highlighted OPAA's commitment to providing guidance to young alumni and students aspiring to launch their own businesses, encouraging them to reach out to the Association for support when needed.  The event was a resounding success, inspiring the next generation of PolyU entrepreneurs with valuable insights and practical advice from the accomplished alumni. The engaging presentations, networking opportunities, and idea exchanges provided attendees with a meaningful platform to connect with like-minded individuals. For more photos and highlights of the event, please refer to our Facebook post.

Launch of New Alumni Portal

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new “Alumni Portal”. Replacing the former “My Profile & eCard” web page, the Alumni Portal offers a more convenient sign-in process and a refreshed user interface. Whenever you wish to update your profile or get your Alumni eCard through the system, you will have the option to sign in using Email and One-Time Password (OTP), in addition to using your Alumni NetID and social media accounts. The Alumni Portal is the most direct, upfront, and vital gateway for you to stay connected with your alma mater. Regularly updating your contact information ensures that you receive timely delivery of exclusive news, including event updates, alumni privileges, and networking opportunities! Sign in to Alumni Portal now

AlumNews (June 2024) – Festivities Heating Up

This early summer, PolyU brings you a series of surprises! A brand new Alumni Portal, PolyU Alumni Reunion Dinner 2024, the first board game competition for graduates, PolyU Design Show... AlumNews not only keeps you informed but also brings you the latest catering benefits!

Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2024

The Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2024 has kicked off since March! PolyU bestows the Award on distinguished graduates in recognition of their great distinction in their chosen fields, active support for the alma mater, as well as impactful contributions to the wider community. Since 2022, achievement categories have been established to recognise our alumni’s professional, entrepreneurial, scholarly, and community service achievements. Recognition is also given to outstanding young alumni. The Award is organised at Department, Faculty/School and University levels. The University also welcomes open nomination for University Award, starting from mid-June. The deadline for submitting nominations is 15 July 2024. Please visit here for details. We look forward to receiving your nominations!  

【Alumni Chess & Boardgames Club】Strategic Moves @ Alumni Atrium: Rummikub Friendly Match

On 8 June 2024, around 80 alumni and students gathered at PolyU for our inaugural board game competition, “Strategic Moves @ Alumni Atrium: Rummikub Friendly Match”. The atmosphere was vibrant as they fully immersed themselves in the competition, not only showcasing their intelligence and skills but also forging connections across generations, faculties, and industries. The competition was co-organised by the Alumni Affairs Office and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Student Affairs Office Chess and Boardgames Club, with the Hong Kong Dream Rider Education Association serving as the judge. Participants were first divided into two groups, namely the “Alumni Group” and the “Student Group”, each exhibiting impressive strategies, displaying intense concentration, and executing decisive moves! After multiple battles, Ms Elgin Lau Yuen-kan, Miss Ng Tsz-ching, and Miss Tang Ka-hei claimed the first, second, and third places in the Alumni Group, while the top three contestants in the Student Group were Miss Chung Wing-nam, Ms Chan Yuen-ching, and Mr Lin Chi-kit respectively. These six skilled individuals then advanced to the final round, competing fiercely and adding an extra layer of excitement as the outcome hung in the balance. Ultimately, Ms Elgin Lau Yuen-kan, one of our alumni, emerged as the overall champion. Congratulations! The Alumni Atrium resounded with applause and laughter during the award presentation. The winners were granted coveted trophies and Hotel ICON dining vouchers by Ms Maewoon Diana Liu, Director of Alumni Affairs. Additionally, many graduates joined our recently established board games interest club on the spot, looking forward to attending more gatherings to interact and exchange ideas with like-minded peers. The interest club is expanding, and alumni interested in joining are welcome to fill out this online registration form. For those eager to relive the excitement of the event, more photos and videos have been uploaded to our Facebook page!

Alumni Survey 2024

The survey is launched on 21 May 2024. We are going to launch the Alumni Survey 2024 for the Class of 2022, collecting feedback about their learning outcomes, inviting comments and suggestions on the programme and the respective Faculty/School, as well as soliciting views on alumni engagement initiatives. Invited graduates will receive an email from “PolyU Alumni Survey”, in which there is an URL directing respondents to the online questionnaire powered by Qualtrics. There may also be follow-up calls and messages from the Alumni Affairs Office in relation to this survey. As a token of our appreciation, respondents who have successfully completed the questionnaire will receive a coffee eVoucher, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis and while stock lasts. Don’t hesitate to make your voice heard and get your reward if you receive our invitation. Thank you in advance for supporting this University-wide exercise!