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The Alumni Homecoming Day, one of CUHK’s highlight events of the year for its alumni, was held on 28 November on campus, with the participation of over 5,000 alumni and their family members. At the opening ceremony, this year’s fundraising committee of ‘CUHK Alumni Torch Fund’ presented the donation cheque of HK$1.22 million to Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung, CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President. In addition to this sum, nearly HK$2.9 million has been raised since the Fund’s establishment last year. 

Being the first endowment fund in Hong Kong initiated and raised by alumni, ‘CUHK Alumni Torch Fund’ was founded in 2014 by a group of devoted alumni from different generations and disciplines. The anniversary classes of this year (which graduated in the years of 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010) joined hands in appealing for donations for ‘CUHK Alumni Torch Fund’, kick-starting the Fund’s second year in operation. 

In celebration of its 10 consecutive years, this year’s Homecoming Day was themed ‘10 years‧Reunion’. Apart from its traditional grand carnival, campus bus tour, various thematic visits and college / graduate school banquets, this year’s Homecoming Day also included new features such as guided tours at the five new colleges, an alumni gathering corner, ‘CU Café’ and talks by alumni authors.  On this special occasion, the alumni participants reunited with their classmates and teachers, and witnessed the latest developments of the University. 

About ‘CUHK Alumni Torch Fund’

The target of ‘CUHK Alumni Torch Fund’ is to facilitate the development and reputation enhancement of the University, in the long run.  It is set up to help CUHK alumni, in particular the young ones, to strengthen their competitive advantages and exposure to entrepreneur opportunities and to encourage CUHK alumni in developing their expertise and achieving excellence in the academic field. ‘CUHK Entrepreneur Day 2015’, held from May 22 to May 23 on campus, was the Fund’s first large-scale event, featuring an exhibition, a series of seminars and consultancy services. Invited by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the Fund also participated in its HKTDC Entrepreneur Day 2015 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In the coming year, the Fund is scheduled to organize ‘CUHK Entrepreneur Day 2016’ and a series of alumni talks, so as to accomplish its vision in serving alumni and contributing to the University.

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

We are excited to announce that the “Graduating Class Gift Campaign” of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) received enormous support from the graduating class of 2015. As of 23 November, a record high of over 1,000 graduates (more than 10% of the total number of graduates) made their first gift to their alma mater. The number of graduates who participated in the campaign is three times higher than last year, and exceeds the accumulated number of participating alumni over the past three years.

All donations solicited through this campaign will be used to support the I‧CARE programme and various meaningful causes for the enhancement of students’ learning experience at the Chinese University. The triumph of the campaign is a clear proof of the success of the I‧CARE Programme, as the class of 2015 is the first batch of students who have fully benefitted from the programme since its establishment in the academic year of 2011/12. Many alumni indicated that they are pleased to support the campaign as they enjoyed their fruitful university life at CUHK, in particular what they have learnt through the I‧CARE Programme.

“I treasure every single moment I spent at CUHK. By making this small gift, I wish to express my gratitude to my alma mater and contribute to the future development of the University,” said Benny Kwong, a graduate of the Class of 2015. We have also received positive feedback about the campaign from parents of the graduates. “I consider that it is the responsibility of alumni to give back to their alma mater, as the University has provided many resources to shape each of them into a better person,” said the father of a graduate.

Launched by the Office of Institutional Advancement, the “Graduating Class Gift Campaign” is an opportunity for the graduating class to commemorate their graduation by giving back to their alma mater. For more information about the campaign, please visit: www.oia.cuhk.edu.hk/eng/campaigns/graduating-class-gift-campaign

CW Chu College, one of the five new colleges of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) established in 2007, celebrated its Founders’ Day and Naming Ceremony of the Marina Tse Chu Building on 12 November. The North Block of the College campus was named after the late Mrs Marina Tse Chu, the beloved wife of Mr David Chu, Founder and Chairman of The Solar Trust and Chairman of the College Committee of Overseers, in recognition of the continuous support and magnanimous contributions to the development of the College by the Chu family and in memory of the late Mrs Marina Chu. Officiating at the Naming Ceremony were Mr David Chu and Prof Joseph JY Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK. Over 70 members from the Chu family and the Tse family, benefactors, friends, mentors, Chu Scholars, College Fellows, teachers, staff and students attended the Ceremony and shared the joy of the College. 

In his welcoming remarks, Prof Kenneth Young, the College Master, highlighted that a milestone had been reached as the College developed into a full-fledged community this year. He expressed deep gratitude to benefactors, teachers and friends for guiding the College towards its educational goals, and encouraged students to follow the footsteps of the late Dr CW Chu and Mr David Chu to strive for excellence and contribute to society. 

In his address at the Ceremony, Mr David Chu expressed his pleasure at witnessing the joint efforts of teachers and the administrative team in bringing the College to fruition. He applauded the College’s dedication to fostering a close-knit community and encouraged members of the College to fulfill its mission of giving the best learning experience to students. 

On behalf of CUHK, Prof Joseph JY Sung expressed his deepest gratitude to Mr David Chu, the CW Chu Foundation and The Solar Trust for their relentless support to the University for the establishment of CW Chu College, and his joy in seeing the formation of a diverse and thriving community under the leadership of the chairman and members of the Committee of Overseers. 

The Marina Tse Chu Building is a key component of the CW Chu College Campus which comprises hostel rooms and many other facilities, including a Multi-Purpose Hall, a tree-laced outdoor garden deck (the Lanson Terrace), double volume lounges, a music room, a fitness room and other common areas, for College students and its affiliated members. The simple, modern and thoughtful design of the building not only provides an ideal living and study environment for its students, but also enhances communal interactions which are conducive to fostering college spirit and coherence. This comfortable and cozy College campus has recently been bestowed a Certificate of Excellence in Best Institutional/ Public Space under the Architecture (Professional) category of the Architecture & Design Awards Asia-Pacific Trophy Awards 2015; it attained the ‘Platinum’ rating under the ‘Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM) for New Buildings’ in April 2015 for its outstanding green building features; it was also shortlisted by the Jury Panel of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Awards 2014. 

Mr David Chu and his family have been active and staunch supporters of CW Chu College since its establishment. With the generous donations from the CW Chu Foundation and The Solar Trust, the College has been able to establish a variety of scholarships to recognize academic achievements of outstanding young scholars; and to offer financial assistance to needy students and develop educational programmes of various natures in the past few years. The benevolence and unstinting support of the Chu family to the College, and their immense contributions to nurturing future leaders for the society are deeply appreciated and respected.

Website of CW Chu College
http://www.cwchu.cuhk.edu.hk/en-gb

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