News

Alumni Gather at Alma Mater for PolyU’s 86th Anniversary Flag-raising Ceremony

In celebration of its 86th Anniversary, PolyU held a flag-raising ceremony at the new University Square on the morning of 25 November 2023. Over 500 individuals, including groups of alumni, attended the event. The flag-raising ceremony had profound importance, and the participating alumni were thrilled to celebrate this joyous occasion at their alma mater. Following the ceremony, Ms Maewoon Diana Liu, Director of Alumni Affairs, and Ir Yau Kwok-fai, President of the Federation of PolyU Alumni Associations (FHKPUAA), along with several FHKPUAA Directors, had a tea gathering. The senior alumni made valuable suggestions on strengthening ties between alumni associations, engaging young alumni, and supporting institutional advancement, which would help further promote the development of PolyU’s alumni affairs.

Alumni Tourcation – Let’s Go Behind the “Seams”

On 23 November 2023, the Alumni Affairs Office organised the campus tour “Let’s Go Behind the ‘Seams’”, which received an overwhelming response with over 100 registrations. The event was supported by the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), leading a group of alumni to explore the latest fashion tech innovations. The participants were initially captivated by the new University Square, a symbolic and iconic campus landmark located in front of the Library. They enjoyed the beautiful scenery at this tranquil escape, marking the beginning of their inspiring adventure.  Representatives from SFT proudly presented their studios and textile workshops, where state-of-the-art facilities are stationed to foster innovative studies and visionary research. The alumni were impressed by the various processes, from spinning to weaving to knitting using the seamless garment machine. Furthermore, SFT remains steadfast in its enduring tradition of leading the fashion industry and creating a societal impact by nurturing students to become future innovative leaders; this mission was clearly demonstrated through the exhibits at the PolyU Fashion Show 2023, which featured a total of 30 collections created by graduating students from the Fashion and Textiles programme. Stay tuned for more themed tours about PolyU’s new features and developments. It’s time to reconnect with your classmates and rediscover your alma mater!   

Hotel ICON festive delicacies for winter

ICONic Winter Festive Feasts It's time to immerse in the joyous atmosphere of the Winter Season at Hotel ICON! Join us for a delightful celebration filled with culinary delights and heartwarming festivities. Indulge in the festive buffet at The Market, where you can savor an array of mouthwatering dishes that capture the spirit of the season. Experience the semi-buffet and afternoon tea at GREEN's, offering a delightful combination of delectable treats and cozy ambiance. For a truly memorable dining experience, join us at Above & Beyond for our special Winter Solstice menu. On the same day, at Silverbox ballroom, indulge in dishes like BBQ suckling pig and Chinese Eight Treasure Pigeon, carefully prepared by our talented chefs. This menu is perfect for family gatherings, and it comes with a bountiful dessert buffet, exciting shows, and engaging activities to ensure that your iconic moments are truly unforgettable. Digital brochure: read online Enquiries or reservations: (852) 3400 1300 or email   A World Astrology GREEN x GODIVA Afternoon Tea Hotel ICON collaborates with the renowned Belgian chocolatier GODIVA to offer "A World Astrology GREEN x GODIVA Afternoon Tea". This delightful experience consists of a three-course meal made with high-quality ingredients from Spain, Malaysia, Japan, France, Norway, and Australia. The menu features delectable appetizers and main dishes infused with GODIVA dark and white chocolate, creating a mouth-watering fusion. The exquisite dessert is designed in the shape of a Celestial Glass Ball. Served alongside a charming "GODIVA Hot Chocolate Reindeer", it promises the ultimate visual and gustatory pleasure. Indulge in heavenly desserts and pastries served on a celestial tea set stand while enjoying unlimited servings of GODIVA soft serve ice cream and a cup of freshly brewed Illy coffee or premium TWG tea. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, guests are treated to a complimentary glass of French sparkling wine. Date: From 6 November 2023 to 31 January 2024 Time: 3:00pm – 6:00pm Venue: Lobby, GREEN Price: Monday to Friday: HK$388* per person | HK$698* for two persons Saturday, Sunday, Public Holiday: HK$438* per person | HK$768* for two persons (A glass of complimentary French sparkling wine will be provided to each guest) Enquiries: (852) 3400 1300 or email Reservation: online  

Thank you for supporting “Add Meaning to Your Graduation” campaign

The “Add Meaning to Your Graduation” campaign for Class of 2023 has been completed. The net proceeds generated will be used to support the development of PolyU. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all graduates who supported this campaign!  

AlumNews (November 2023) – Living Up to Your Expectations

The Alumni Affairs Office endeavours to serve, connect, and support graduates on all fronts. In this issue of AlumNews, we present our latest initiatives, which include not only event updates but also a video tutorial on how to activate Alumni eCard for campus access. They are highly relevant to all of you!

Alumni Seminar Introduces Digital Currencies to PolyU Community

The Alumni Affairs Office organised the alumni seminar titled “A Cashless Era: What You Need to Know About Digital Currencies” on 1 November 2023. Four professional speakers led both the on-site and online participants to explore the development of digital currencies, understanding the close relationship between these “intangible” assets and our daily lives. The event featured Ms Jennifer Tan and Dr Albert Yip as speakers. Ms Tan, an Accounting graduate, currently serves as the Chief Executive of Alipay Financial Services (HK) Limited and the Executive Vice President, Strategy Development and Government Affairs, GBA, of Ant Group. She began by reviewing the application landscape of various media of exchange, highlighting the fact that the Octopus card, as a widely-used payment tool, has laid the foundation for a “cashless era” in Hong Kong. Driven by the recent surge in e-wallet usage, the future of mobile payments will be further shaped by the collective efforts of enterprises, the general public, as well as other stakeholders. Following Ms Tan’s presentation, Dr Yip, an Information Systems graduate and Chairman of Syndicate Capital Group, explained the concept and development of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). His presentation also included e-HKD, e-CNY and other examples, illustrating the maturing fintech ecosystem and the foreseeable realisation of a “cashless society”. The panel discussion was moderated by Mr Darron Sun, an Information Systems graduate and President of The Computing Alumni Association of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Prof. Brian Kei, a DBA graduate and Professor of Practice (FinTech) at PolyU, also joined as one of the panellists. The audience actively posed questions online and offline, and engaged in exchanges with the four guests. They explored the opportunities and challenges of implementing digital currencies by discussing information security, industry regulations, financial infrastructure and other aspects. The event attracted over 550 registrations and received positive feedback from the participants. We would also like to express our gratitude for all the valuable opinions, which will assist us in organising more content-rich sharing events that keep the alumni community abreast of the latest trends. For more photos of the event, please refer to our Facebook post.

Visit from Hong Kong PolyU (United Kingdom) Association

On 24 October 2023, the Alumni Affairs Office welcomed two overseas alumni, Dr Henry Lu and Ms Anita Chan, who are Vice President and Director of the Hong Kong PolyU (United Kingdom) Association. They made a long journey from London, and were glad to meet with Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, President of the University, and Dr Miranda Lou, Executive Vice President of PolyU, to learn about the latest development of their alma mater.   The Association has been a strong supporter of the University’s “Overseas Alumni Hospitality Programme”, extending warm hospitality to PolyU students who participate in overseas exchanges. On that day, one of the exchange students returned to meet with Dr Lu and Ms Chan. She expressed her gratitude for their support, and accompanied them on a tour of the new landmarks on campus. She also shared her student life. It was a delightful and enjoyable time for everyone.

PolyU honours five outstanding alumni

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is pleased to announce that it has conferred the “Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2023” on five alumni in recognition of their significant achievements in their respective fields as well as their contributions to their alma mater and society. They are fitting testament to PolyU’s accomplishments in nurturing leaders for Hong Kong, the Nation and the world. The Award aims to give recognition to distinguished graduates of PolyU and its forerunners, namely the Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College and the Hong Kong Polytechnic.  Recipients of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2023, in alphabetical order of last name, are: Prof. Sophia CHAN Siu-chee, GBS, JP Professor of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong; Senior Advisor to the President’s Office, The University of Hong Kong; Director, HKU Primary Health Care Academy Sr Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS Chairman, Hong Kong Green Building Council   Prof. TO Chi-ho Visiting Chair Professor of Experimental Optometry, School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Scientific Director, Centre for Eye and Vision Research Limited Mr Alex WONG Chun-bong Founder, C. B. Wong & Co. Recipient of the Outstanding PolyU Young Alumni Award 2023 is: Mr FANG Bing Co-founder, Hai Robotics (Please refer to the Appendix for recipient biodata.) The Award Selection Committee was chaired by Dr LAM Tai-fai, GBS, JP, Council Chairman of PolyU. Ex-officio members included: Professor Jin-Guang TENG, JP, President, PolyU; and Dr Miranda LOU, Executive Vice President, PolyU. Other members included: Dr Daniel YIP Chung-yin, BBS, JP, Council Member, PolyU; Mr Augustus TANG Kin-wing, Court Member, PolyU; Ir Dr Samson TAM Wai-ho, JP, President, Outstanding PolyU Alumni Association; and Ir YAU Kwok-fai, President, Federation of PolyU Alumni Associations. Since the launch of the Award in 1996, 105 recipients have been honoured for great distinction in their chosen fields, active support to their alma mater, as well as impactful contributions to the wider community. The Award Presentation Ceremony will be held in December 2023.

AlumNews (October 2023) – You’ve Got Our Invitation!

The recently announced list of Outstanding PolyU Alumni Awardees, the new University Square on campus, the latest alumni publication... In this issue of AlumNews, we invite you all to explore the exclusive updates tailored for alumni. Don’t miss out on anything!

New Publication: PolyU Alumni in Strength

We are thrilled to announce the release of our new publication PolyU Alumni in Strength! Apart from this online preview, you will also have the chance to get a printed copy at our upcoming events. Incorporating annual highlights for 2022/23, this bilingual booklet offers a comprehensive overview on our ongoing efforts in alumni engagement. It also showcases the deep connection between PolyU and the cherished alumni community, which has been built upon effective communication, engaging events, achievement recognition, vibrant networks, and more. In addition, we appreciate the active participation and substantial contributions made by numerous graduates. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Mainland Development Office, Faculties, Schools and Departments, alumni associations, and other stakeholders who have provided input for this publication. Let’s continue to work hand in hand in the future!