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The Launching Ceremony of Dr Alex K Yasumoto’s book “Yasumoto’s Passage to International Business” was held at the i-Lounge of the Yasumoto International Academic Park of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) on 2 December 2016.  The Ceremony was officiated by Dr Alex K Yasumoto, Professor Joseph Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, and Ms Gan Qi, Director of The Chinese University Press.  Yasumoto Scholars and representatives from departments which benefitted from the generous donation of Dr Yasumoto also attended this joyful occasion.

In her welcoming speech, Ms Gan Qi thanked Dr Yasumoto for entrusting The Chinese University Press to publish the Chinese version of his book.  “This unique book contains stories mixed with success, enthusiasm, set-backs and complaints in a frank and self-deprecating tone,” she said.

Dr Alex K Yasumoto, author of the book, shared with the audience the objective of writing this book in his speech.  “This book records my first-hand experience in doing business overseas, and the challenges and cultural shock I encountered along the journey.  I would like to thank The Chinese University Press for their commitment in taking up this publication project, and renowned translator Dr Yue Yuankun for his excellent work,” he said.

Professor Joseph Sung expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Dr Yasumoto for his unfailing support towards the Chinese University.  “Dr Yasumoto’s passage to international business reinforces his belief that it is essential to help the young people to develop a global outlook through overseas exchange.  This is the reason why he made a magnificent donation to the Chinese University for enhancing international and cultural exchange.  With his most generous donation, we have established the largest exchange scholarship scheme ever in the University.  To date, the scheme has offered close to 4,000 exchange scholarships to our students,” said Professor Sung.  

The original Japanese version of “Yasumoto’s Passage to International Business” was published in 2015.  The Chinese version of the book is published by The Chinese University Press, and translated by Dr Yue Yuankun, Assistant Professor of the School of Foreign Languages of Peking University.  In this book, Dr Yasumoto shares his experiences of expanding international businesses, especially in Hong Kong where he started his overseas career.

With the objective of expressing our heartfelt gratitude to our alumni donors, the “Alumni Donations Commemorative Plaques Unveiling Ceremony” was held on 26 November 2016 at the Dragon Lounge of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).  Close to 100 alumni donors and distinguished guests attended to the ceremony to witness the unveiling of “Alumni Donations Commemorative Plaques” (2010-2014).

In his welcoming speech, Professor Fok Tai-fai, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Vice-President of CUHK, thanked our alumni donors for their unfailing support towards their alma mater over the years.  ‘From 2010 to 2014, the total amount of donation we received from our alumni donors reached close to HK$200 million.  With the staunch support from our alumni, we are able to continue to realize our mission to nurture more brilliant young leaders for the society,’ said Professor Fok.

The event was also graced by the presence of Professor Jimmy Yu, Head of United College; Professor Justin Wu, Associate Head of Shaw College, Professor Rance Lee, Master of Wu Yee Sun College; Mr. Eric Ng, Registrar and Secretary; and representatives from various alumni associations.

Since 2005, the University installed “Alumni Donations Commemorative Plaques” in the Alumni Garden, for expressing our appreciation towards alumni donors who rendered support to the development of the University.  For more information about the Alumni Garden, please contact the Alumni Affairs Office of CUHK (Phone: 3943-7861; E-mail: alumni@cuhk.edu.hk). 

Video of plaque unveiling:

The Alumni Homecoming Day, an annual highlighted alumni event of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), was held on 26 November, with the participation of over 5,500 CUHK alumni and their family members.  At the opening ceremony, the fundraising committee, formed by this year’s anniversary class representatives, presented to the University a donation cheque of HK$1.1 million for ‘The Chinese University of Hong Kong Alumni Torch Fund’ (the Fund).  Adding this sum, nearly HK$4 million has been raised since the Fund’s establishment in 2014. 

Celebrating its 12th year and consistently the largest alumni event of the year, the 2016 CUHK Alumni Homecoming Day featured a grand carnival, campus bus tour, thematic visits, ‘CUHK Café’ and college / graduate school dinners. This year, it also incorporated new elements such as a handicraft market hosted by over 60 alumni artists, as well as a series of talks on admissions ranging from primary, through secondary schools to university. On this special day, the alumni participants reunited with their classmates and teachers, and got to know more about the latest development of the University. 

The anniversary classes of this year (which graduated in the years of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011) inherited the tradition of the last two years of giving back to their fellow alumni by supporting the fundraising for the Fund. While celebrating their graduation anniversaries, they joined together to appeal for donations to support the Fund. 

The Fund was initiated by a group of devoted alumni from the anniversary classes in 2014, with the aim of helping CUHK alumni, in particular the young ones, to strengthen their competitive advantages and exposure to entrepreneur opportunities, and also to encourage CUHK alumni in developing their expertise and achieving excellence in professional and academic fields.  It also aims to facilitate the development and enhance the reputation of the University in the long run. As well as organizing the annual ‘CUHK Entrepreneur Day’ to showcase entrepreneurship projects by CUHK alumni and students, the Fund will also hold the first career expo specifically designed for young alumni, on campus on 7 January 2017, featuring career talks on diverse industries, consultation sessions and recruitment booths.

Source: Communications and Public Relations Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong