News

AlumNews (October 2025) – A Harvest of Opportunities

As we step into the season of autumn harvest, the alumni community continues to shine with energy and colour. This issue of AlumNews also features a series of campus activities designed to inspire you! Wishing everyone abundance and fulfilment.

【Alumni Chess and Boardgames Club】Strategic Moves: The Rise of MonoPOLY Tycoons

The Alumni Atrium buzzed with competitive energy on 18 October 2025 for “Strategic Moves: The Rise of MonoPOLY Tycoons”, co-organised by the Alumni Chess and Boardgames Club and The HK PolyU SAO Chess and Boardgames Club, with professional adjudication by Monopoly Dreams Hong Kong. Around 100 alumni and students filled the venue, engaging in strategic deals, property acquisitions, and cross‑generational networking. Participants competed in two match sessions, each featuring a dynamic mix of alumni and students. The room was alive with excitement as players rolled dice, made deals, and displayed great sportsmanship. Our congratulations to all winners: Match 1 • Alumni Group: Champion – Xiong Xin; 1st Runner-up – Leung Ka Ming; 2nd Runner-up – Kwan Wing Chung • Student Group: Champion – Chan Yin Wa; 1st Runner-up – Sze Yuen Hei; 2nd Runner-up – Lee Sin Wai • Overall Match 1 Champion: Chan Yin Wa Match 2 • Alumni Group: Champion – So Man Chun; 1st Runner-up – Lau Shuk Wan; 2nd Runner-up – Hao Yuexiu • Student Group: Champion – So Tsz Hin; 1st Runner-up – Tan Pui Nam; 2nd Runner-up – Cheng Chun Ho • Overall Match 2 Champion: So Tsz Hin During the award presentation, Ms Wanze Li, Interim Director of Alumni Affairs, presented trophies and Hotel ICON dining vouchers to the winners. Special congratulations to the first 20 registrants as well, each of whom received a complimentary admission ticket to MONOPOLY DREAMS™ at The Peak. Thank you to all participants for making the event memorable; photos and videos are now available on our Facebook page. The growing Alumni Chess and Boardgames Club always welcomes interested alumni – fill out this online registration form to join!

OPAA Mixer (5th Event)

The Outstanding PolyU Alumni Association hosted its fifth “OPAA Mixer” on 14 October 2025. The event brought together around 40 participants, including Outstanding PolyU Alumni Awardees at University, Faculty/School and Department levels, representatives from academic units and offices, as well as alumni and student mentees. Mr Dennis Ho Chiu-ping, President of the Association, warmly welcomed members and guests. He expressed gratitude to Directors Ir Dr Kelvin Leung Kai-yuen and Mr Elton Ng Chun-ting for organising the gathering, and highlighted the importance of such occasions in strengthening connections among outstanding alumni. He encouraged members to actively support the Associations’ initiatives, thereby maximising their collective impact on PolyU and the broader community.   The Association invited Ms Loretta Fong, Sustainability Assurance Leader at PwC Hong Kong and former Treasurer of the PolyU Council, to speak on the theme “What does ESG mean to me?” during the event. Drawing on her extensive experience, Ms Fong shared valuable insights that resonated with the audience. Her sharing sparked lively discussions, with participants from diverse industries exchanging perspectives and practical experiences related to ESG implementation and its future outlook. The mentees also found the event particularly rewarding, as it provided an opportunity to learn from the outstanding alumni, expand their professional networks, and build connections that will support their personal and career development. Moving forward, the Association remains committed to fostering collaborative opportunities by leveraging the collective expertise, networks, and resources of its members to support PolyU and contribute to societal development. For more photos of the event, please visit our Facebook post.

【Alumni Running and Jogging Club】Promenade Morning Run

On 12 October 2025, the “Promenade Morning Run”, organised by the Alumni Running and Jogging Club, brought together around 40 alumni for a refreshing Sunday morning experience. Excitement filled the air as participants geared up and hit the pavement. The event began with an invigorating warm-up session, after which runners were grouped by their preferred pace and set off from Kowloon Park, embarking on a scenic journey along the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade. Throughout the 7-km run, alumni enjoyed a panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour, captured memorable moments at photo stops such as the harbourfront and Clock Tower, and cheered one another on along the way. After the run, everyone gathered for post-run stretching. The announcement inviting University members to join the PolyU Running Team for the upcoming Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon 2026 further added to the excitement. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for alumni runners to come together and promote a healthy lifestyle. Special thanks go to the Club’s core members, Prof. Vincent Leung and Mr Guohui Chen, who respectively led the warm-up and stretching sessions, as well as the group run. Revisit the highlights through our online gallery, and we welcome you to join this energetic community!

【Alumni Table Tennis Club, Badminton Club and Football Club】September Gatherings

Throughout the sun-drenched September, three alumni interest clubs focused on ball sports organised a series of energetic gatherings, including the “Spin and Social Friday” by the Table Tennis Club on 19 September, and “Mix, Smash & Mingle: Social Play with Line-Judge Skills Sharing” by the Badminton Club and “Back to the Court: Sunday Futsal Fun” by the Football Club, both held on 28 September. The three events brought around 80 alumni back to the PolyU sports grounds, offering opportunities to relive campus memories and strengthen connections through various sports. A special highlight was the Badminton Club’s event, where Mr Cheung Ngai-chee, a core member of the Club and a certified Elementary Umpire of Badminton Association of Hong Kong, China, shared line-judge skills through on-site demonstrations and practice, deepening participants’ understanding of the ball game. All participating alumni, from seasoned players to new members, thoroughly enjoyed the friendly games, creating new memories and forging bonds. Interested in joining them? Click here now!

【Alumni Foodie Club】Swirl, Sniff & Savour: An Evening of French Wine

The Alumni Foodie Club explored the world of French wines on 26 September 2025, bringing together around 40 alumni for an evening of wine and connection at their alma mater. Led by sommelier Ms Olivia Lee, participants were introduced to a new approach to selecting wine using her accessible tool, the “Simplified Colour-Aroma-Taste Method”. While sampling five exquisite French wines, Ms Lee shared the stories behind each bottle and provided practical tips for integrating wine appreciation into everyday life. A special highlight of the activity was a presentation by Dr Gail Jinhui Chang, Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at PolyU. Her pioneering work on developing sustainable, fungus-based fat substitutes represents an innovation with the potential to revolutionise healthier indulgence. In celebration of the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, Dr Chang treated the alumni to her specially crafted mooncakes, which paired beautifully with the wines and created a memorable tasting experience. The evening was an eye-opening mix of learning, savouring, and reconnecting with fellow alumni. A heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined and made the night so enjoyable. Stay tuned to see what the Foodie Club has planned next!   

【Alumni Chess & Boardgames Club x Alumni Singing Club】Alumni Nights of Singing and Board Games

Despite the passage of Typhoon Ragasa, it was a true blessing to gather safely on 25 September 2025 as planned at the Alumni Atrium, where more than 40 alumni and students enjoyed an evening filled with board games and musical entertainment. With the highly anticipated “Strategic Moves: The Rise of MonoPOLY Tycoons” fast approaching on 18 October, the Chess & Boardgames Club members were eager to train and refine their strategies. The room buzzed with energy as players honed their skills to elevate their game. Meanwhile, in a fitting tribute to the weather everyone had just endured, the Singing Club embraced the theme of the night by suggesting songs related to “wind”. Favourites like Against the Wind, Candle in the Wind, and 風的形狀 were perfect choices, reminding all participants of the resilience and strength found in perseverance and community. The event was a memorable evening, showcasing the strong sense of camaraderie within the graduate community of PolyU. Both alumni interest clubs are especially delighted to have been gathering once a month since April. Stay tuned for more exciting crossovers of music and strategy in the future! 

AlumNews (September 2025) – Welcome Back!

In the blink of an eye, a new school year has begun. We look forward to your participation in the activities highlighted in this issue of AlumNews and your meaningful interactions with current students on campus! 

【Alumni Table Tennis Club】Summer Gatherings

The Alumni Table Tennis Club successfully hosted “Spin & Social Friday” and “Saturday Spin” on 4 July and 30 August 2025 respectively. Over 40 alumni from various generations and fields, including former University Team members, returned to campus to rekindle their shared passion for table tennis. Both sessions ended on a high note, filled with laughter and excitement, as alumni reconnected and engaged in friendly matches. All participants enjoyed a fun-filled exchange, strengthening bonds through their mutual enthusiasm for the sport. Join the Club if you’d like to be part of the games!

【Alumni Chess & Boardgames Club x Alumni Singing Club】Alumni Nights of Singing and Board Games

Jointly organised by the Alumni Chess & Boardgames Club and the Alumni Singing Club, the fourth “Alumni Night of Singing and Board Games” took place on 28 August 2025, bringing together more than 40 alumni at the Alumni Atrium on campus.  Board game enthusiasts teamed up and mingled across different tables, enjoying a wide variety of games. Novice players were guided by experienced members, learning new games while exchanging strategies and insights. At the same time, alumni singers took turns performing their favourite songs, filling the evening with fun and melodies.  Special thanks go to a member who generously donated multiple board games for everyone to enjoy! This thoughtful gesture not only expanded our game library but also embodied the spirit of sharing within the alumni community. These new games will play an important role in fostering connections and creating joyful memories at future events. Participants are already looking forward to the next regular gathering, scheduled for 25 September. If you are interested, be sure to mark your calendar and join us for another evening of joy and connection!