About 300 alumni from City University of Hong Kong (CityU) attended the event “Hi President – A Dialogue with the President” on 18 June, in which they learned about the latest developments of CityU from the sharing by President Way Kuo of CityU and other CityU representatives and strengthened their links with their alma mater.

Alumni from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, among others, joined the hybrid gathering, which also included executive committee members of the CityU Eminence Society; representatives of alumni chapters in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu; and Dr Andrew Fan Ka-fai, CityU’s Honorary Fellow and Distinguished Alumnus. They attended in person at CityU, at the CityU Shenzhen Research Institute, or through online platform. 

During the gathering, President Kuo informed alumni about the latest CityU news as well as teaching and research achievements, including the launch of the inaugural University Day (U-Day), and the series “Beyond Boundaries: Dialogue with Presidents of World’s Leading Educational Institutions”, which was one of the highlights of the U-Day celebration. He pointed out, when discussing contemporary education issues and challenges, that presidents at top universities around the world maintained a high regard for CityU.

In addition, President Kuo said CityU had performed strongly in world university rankings. According to the 2023 rankings released by Quacquarelli Symonds, CityU is placed 54th while more than 170 CityU faculty members are ranked among the top 2% of the world’s most highly cited scientists, according to metrics compiled by Stanford University. Furthermore, CityU was ranked top among local universities for the 5th consecutive year in the top 100 worldwide universities granted US utility patents by the National Academy of Inventors.

President Kuo encouraged alumni to continue boosting the reputation of their alma mater by showcasing their diverse talents and in response, alumni extended their best wishes to President Kuo and CityU and sang the University Anthem together to express their care for their alma mater, bringing out a heart-warming ambience.

Professor Matthew Lee Kwok-on, Vice-President (Development and External Relations), chatted warmly with alumni during a lively interactive session and there was keen interest among alumni in CityU’s future development, plans for nurturing students, and connections with alumni networks on the mainland. Professor Lee also shared the blueprints for CityU’s campus at Dongguan.

Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Vice-President (Research and Technology), discussed the University’s flagship entrepreneurship programme HK Tech 300, which has received dedicated support from alumni. They hoped the University could continue to help alumni, students and young researchers to realise their entrepreneurial dreams as a way to inject new energy into the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong and the surrounding region to promote the advancement of society and technology.

The event was also held on the same day as the 6th anniversary of the Shenzhen Alumni Chapter. A cake-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the occasion. Mr Robert Lui Chi-wang, Vice-Chairman of the Eminence Society, and Mr Zhou Zhongjun, Chairman of the Shenzhen Alumni Chapter, presented the work of their organisations to attendees, saying they would actively unite members to support the alma mater’s development.

The event was co-organised by the Shenzhen Alumni Chapter, CityU Eminence Society and the Alumni Relations Office, with the support of the CityU Shenzhen Research Institute.