Published by Development and Alumni Office The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2358 6158 Fax: (852) 3743 0939 Email: alumni@ust.hk Website: alum.hkust.edu.hk 10 Giving 12 HKUST (Guangzhou) HKUST Alumni | 1 Content s It’s my great honor and privilege to serve as the 5th president of HKUST. Many of you may already know me from my previous roles as Head of the Department of Biochemistry, Dean of Science and Vice-President for Research and Development, and I must say it’s been an absolute pleasure to have been part of our HKUST family for so many years. Since taking up the presidency in mid-October, I have had several opportunities to meet with alumni from a wide array of backgrounds such as during the HKUST Alumni Association Annual Dinner. What I see is: talent, versatility, and above all, a deep commitment, and relentless support to their alma mater. When I think back to 1993, the year I joined HKUST, the graduating class was tiny. In stark contrast, we conferred a total of 6,043 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees during the congregation in 2022. Now, HKUST ranks among the top universities globally and our alumni community has expanded to over 93,000. I will need to learn new ways to remember names, there are ever more of us! HKUST’s worldwide recognition earned in such a short period of time would not have been possible without our alumni. So thank you for giving back to us, and offering so much to HKUST, from mentoring our students and offering invaluable career advice to donating to the Alumni Endowment Fund to help needy students and supporting HKUST’s wide range of initiatives. Dear Alumni, I would also like to welcome the Class of 2022 to our alumni community. Graduation is a time to step out into the world, but don’t forget to also stay connected and engaged to us. In this edition, you can read about how members of our vibrant alumni community remain involved, such as Roger King, a family business expert, and Derrick Pang, who has taken his family businesses forward with modern initiatives. We also have a very special student story featuring Hong Kong table tennis star and HKUST freshman Minnie Soo. In closing, I wish you a wonderful New Year. I can’t wait to see you all in person soon. Yours, Nancy Ip President A new era for our community 16 Insight Contents 14 Honorary Fellows 4 Alumni Stories 2 Feature 15 Fun Day 21 Class Notes 18 Happenings 20 Alumni Connect 1 Foreword Foreword
Prof. Nancy Ip is the fifth President of HKUST, and the first female president among the eight universities subsidized by the University Grants Committee in Hong Kong. Get to know more about her… The Morningside Professor of Life Science Nancy Ip took office as the first female president of HKUST on October 19, 2022. As a worldrenowned molecular neuroscientist, Prof. Ip has grown with HKUST as it became a heavy hitter on the world stage, and now has taken the responsibility of moving our community forward. Hailing from the fragrant harbor Hong Kong born and bred, Prof. Ip progressed from being a student at St. Mary's Canossian College to studying at Simmons College and Harvard University in the United States. She joined HKUST in 1993 and has risen steadily through the ranks, first to become Head of the Department of Biochemistry in 2000, then Dean of Science in 2011, and most recently in 2016, Vice-President for Research and Development. During her time at HKUST, things have changed quite a bit. Prof. Ip recalls that it was a struggle in the beginning because resources were limited while most people had not even heard of the University. “It was like a start-up where everyone contributed and we worked so hard to get the University recognized. Now, HKUST ranks among the top universities globally. Along with this, we have a revolutionary new campus in Guangzhou (HKUST GZ),” says Prof. Ip. Rooted in medical excellence Prof. Ip started her career at a biotech company, Regeneron, now one of the best in the world. Finding treatment for diseases has always been her goal. Her major research interests include neural development and function as well as drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. Prof. Ip has established different platforms to bring her neuroscience research studies on the world stage. She is the Director of the State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience at HKUST, which she established with the objective to gather an interdisciplinary team of experts to tackle neurodegenerative diseases. More recently, she is serving as the Director of the Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (HKCeND) set up in 2020. The Center has made promising breakthroughs in the early diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. To take forward the research efforts, the Center has fostered strategic collaborations with Stanford University and University College London as well as various universities and hospitals in Hong Kong and across the Mainland. Connecting the East and the West, and leveraging data and expertise from Asia, forms a core part of the HKUST experience. “We want to bring the University to the next level of success by focusing on people at the core. One of my major goals is to recruit and nurture the best talent. I believe in diversity, bringing together individuals of international backgrounds, and strengthening humanities along the way. Furthermore, while we are innovative in science, we want to build an ethos of interdisciplinary research. We have a deep obligation to contribute to society, and to tackle global challenges such as ageing populations and sustainability,” she says. As the first female president of HKUST and among Hong Kong's eight universities subsidized by the University Grants Committee, Prof. Ip wants students to break through both gender and social barriers. “I believe in an equal playing field, and sometimes, breaking through the system of inequality and establishing yourself despite challenges requires bravery,” she says. Humility and achievement Prof. Ip has made significant contributions to the field of neuroscience with more than 320 scientific papers, 70 patents, and myriad honors including the L’OREAL-UNESCO for Women in Science Award, the National Natural Science Awards, the 10 Science Stars of China by Nature, and the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite (National Order of Merit) by the French Government. If that wasn’t impressive enough, she is a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Sciences, the World Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Hong Kong Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Alumni – a key focus of HKUST Yet, she remains down to earth in person. Talent, innovation, and alumni relations are among her major focus as president. “Working with alumni is extremely important as they form the core of our identity. Alumni help our students learn, grow, and connect with like-minded people all across the world. I truly believe this network can be strengthened so that our students can benefit from their worldview, experience, and expertise. I always celebrate our alumni because I am so proud of them. I want them to feel HKUST is always their home, no matter where they are,” says Prof. Ip. And of course, Prof. Ip always manages to spare some time for her favorite hobbies, Tai Chi and hiking. Balancing work and play often creates the right environment for success. With Prof. Ip at the helm, the University is ready for a new era of expansion. “We always hope to inspire our faculty and students, and elevate this University to new levels,” she adds. Prof. Nancy Ip President 2 | HKUST Alumni HKUST Alumni | 3 Feature I always celebrate our alumni because I am so proud of them. I want them to feel HKUST is always their home, no matter where they are.
Family business is a complex issue, but two members of the HKUST community are showing the world how it’s done. Both Roger King and Derrick Pang have navigated the disruption brought on changes in the economy, technology, and culture. In this feature, we dive into the nuances of how Asian family businesses have evolved, and what it takes to run a successful enterprise as technology reimagines the landscape. Roger King 2006 PhD Finance Derrick Pang 2014 PhD Civil Engineering Core Values Family businesses don’t get the recognition they deserve despite being prominent worldwide. In Europe, they transcend centuries; in the United States, 35% of listed firms in the Standard & Poor's 500 are family-owned. Here in Hong Kong, nearly 70% of listed firms are familyowned, and more than 60% of the GDP in the Mainland comes from family business. In the United States: 35% of listed firms in the Standard & Poor's 500 are family-owned In HK: Nearly 70% of listed firms are family-owned In the Mainland: More than 60% of the GDP comes from family business 35% 70% 60% 4 | HKUST Alumni HKUST Alumni | 5 Alumni Stories
King Center for Asian Family Business and Family Office and the Thompson Center for Business Case Studies. Roger brings a wealth of experience to the table with his illustrious CV that reads like a who’s who of Hong Kong business. Among other roles, he served as a NonExecutive Director of Orient Overseas (International) Limited and Chief Operating Officer of Orient Overseas (Holdings) Limited; Chairman of Pacific Coffee Limited; President and Chief Executive Officer of Sa Sa International Holdings Limited; President of Harvard Business School Association of Hong Kong; and Standing Committee Member of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. Surprisingly, in a previous life, he was a US Naval Officer, and has trained as a licensed pilot. “When I was growing up, I loved aeroplanes and ships, and wanted to be a naval pilot. In the end, my eyesight was not good enough for the Navy, and I ended up serving on the deck of an aircraft carrier as Asia in the spotlight The family office is in its infancy stage in Asia, but as the number of billionaires has grown, the need to pass on family wealth and values, all while maintaining harmony within the family, has become more crucial. This need has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of Asian family offices that are impacting the future, all while family office research has continually neglected Asian perspectives. It’s a gap that Roger King (2006 PhD Finance) is determined to fill. Deeply dedicated to supporting HKUST over the years, Roger is a family business expert who surprises at every turn, and stands as one of our most illustrious in our community. To start with, he is the most senior graduate to date in HKUST, and has been an Honorary Fellow since 2011. In addition to this, Roger presently serves as a Court Member and was previously a Council Member. He is also Adjunct Professor, Senior Advisor and Founding Director of both the Roger and policymakers in promoting quality development in both areas in Hong Kong and beyond. Asia at the crossroads For Roger, the future of Asian family businesses is fascinating and dynamic. “The younger generation wants to do things differently, they are better educated, have studied overseas, and many are even reluctant to join the family business because they seem traditional or even in sunset industries. With COVID-19 and Industry 4.0, things are looking at a radical shakeup, and the way things are conducted from now on will be different from the past. Even the concept of the ‘office’ is completely changed from before. We haven’t seen the end results, it’s a dynamic situation,” says Roger. With change in mind, one of the concepts Roger came up with is “From Family Business to Business Family”, which is a hybrid concept that sees the traditional revenue streams fund new ventures. The result is a layered portfolio that reflects the old and new, allowing traditional business to modernize, while the new generation ventures can leverage on existing connections and resources. Another important concept is the ‘3Ps’ – preservation of Family Wealth, Harmony, and Value Systems, which is more crucial to Asian family businesses as the new guard takes over, and the next generation takes over. Firmly established in Hong Kong A keen supporter of HKUST over many years, Roger donated generously in 2015 to our Alumni Endowment Fund to help provide a holistic learning experience to our students. On top of this, HKUST recently received a generous donation from his children Stephen, Daphne and Geoffrey to support research on Asian family business and family offices. Roger is the brother-in-law of Tung Chee Wah, HKSAR’s first Chief Executive, so he is uniquely placed to understand the ins and outs of business in Hong Kong. 6 | HKUST Alumni HKUST Alumni | 7 Connecting to alumni Another one of Roger’s missions is encouraging the next generation and helping alumni connect to HKUST. Having grown up in Shanghai and the United States, and spent the majority of his career in Hong Kong and Asia, Roger knows the importance of bridging cultures in the new economy. “The world is complex and yet more interconnected than ever – remember to link back to your alma mater, network with fellow alumni, and mentor our students too,” he says. For young people seeking to make it big, what would Roger advise? “I have this concept of ‘CCKP’ – you need self- Confidence, Commitment, Knowledge and Passion. If you are missing any of these, your chances of success are slim,” he says. I have this concept of ‘CCKP’ — you need self-Confidence, Commitment, Knowledge and Passion. If you are missing any of these, your chances of success are slim. an electronics officer,” he says. An expert in family business Roger is known as one of the world’s leading experts in Family Business, Family Office, Entrepreneurship, Corporate and Family Governance. Following a generous donation to HKUST, the Roger King Center for Asian Family Business and Family Office was named in October 2022. A key research arm of the HKUST Business School, the Center was established over a decade ago and has become the world’s premier research and teaching center in Asian family business, with added focus on family office, a fast-growing sector in Asia. Hong Kong is uniquely placed as a finance hub to take advantage of this emerging market, with the added bonus of tax concessions for eligible family investment management entities managed by single-family offices. The naming of the Center reflects its twin foci in Asian family business and family office, and its mission to bring together academics, practitioners, Alumni Stories
HKUST Alumni | 9 8 | HKUST Alumni Bonding Trip with Core Staff Lifewire Photo Exhibition 2021 Site Lunch with Frontline Staff Dragon Boat Team master’s degree and worked at a consulting company. He came back to Hong Kong after his mother asked him to return, and having realized he had been in the United States since he was 14 and was missing out on spending time with the family. “My father put me on site immediately as an Assistant Project Manager working on the Tin Shui Wai West Rail Project. I was segregated and not given responsibility initially, but I got involved and earned the trust of colleagues, and knew what was going on, so I took on projects like drainage, traffic diversions, pipe works, and other initiatives that, shall I say, lacked in glamor. It was challenging, everything was new to me,” Derrick says. Becoming a leader Perhaps seeing his own future within the business, he built a network among frontline colleagues and construction veterans on a range of projects across Hong Kong, rolling up his sleeves, getting his hands dirty, and forging himself as a leader of laborers and workers of all disciplines. All this work on projects including civil engineering, infrastructure, and luxury housing building, where he managed contractors and subcontractors. Soon, with a track record for doing everything from laying gravel to cleaning sewage, he shed the “heir” reputation and earned his role as a leader years before becoming CEO in 2017. Personal tragedy That path was cemented when his father unexpectedly passed away in 2010. Before that sad moment, Derrick was already forging a role handling “difficult and potentially money losing projects,” so he was in many ways uniquely placed to eventually become CEO. Indeed, he was on this path while pursuing his PhD at HKUST, which he admits proved “arduous, but I was determined to finish as my commitment to my father, and professor’s encouragement and support,” he says. Aside from gradually forging his own path in the company, he extended his ‘firefighting’ skills to tackling a number of issues that have plagued the construction industry. These include labor shortages, downsizing in hard economic times, company reputational damage, and lack of talent within the construction industry as a whole. “Aside from my construction experience, I have always had an intellectual side. Within my company, I have taken a firm role in HR and administration, developing the Elite Program [Management Trainee Program], selecting the best and the brightest from universities to look at the company from a macro point of view, encompassing safety, commercial and environmental angles,” Derrick says. Talent and technology The CEO has also subsidized continuing education for middle and senior management, and promoted the construction industry in universities, to help modernize the industry in Hong Kong. A major tension within family business is how to transition from the old to new. Derrick has therefore always dedicated himself to adopting new techniques to his business and other interests. It’s a reason he founded crowdfunding platform Lifewire. Having witnessed the popularity of crowdfunding overseas, Derrick decided to adopt it for his charity efforts in Hong Kong, becoming the first Hong Kong-based crowdfunding platform to support children’s health and medical needs in 2014. “When I was young I loved to do charity work, and have always kept this ethos in my mind, and really decided to push this when my father passed away,” Derrick says. “We are evolving from a traditional company to an organization built on modernization and decentralized management systems. People should be able to make their own decisions, and we tap into the talent rather than the centralized person. To do this we need to transform culture, making small changes over time and create a snowball effect where eventually the whole company is a new and refreshed entity,” Derrick says. We need to transform culture, making small changes over time and create a snowball effect where eventually the whole company is a new and refreshed entity. Working from the ground up Derrick Pang (2014 PhD Civil Engineering) has been dedicated to a career across the construction industry. The Chief Executive Officer of Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (previously known as Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited) not only has deep knowledge of the inner workings of construction, but also a very strong academic background. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in the United States in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree and obtained a Master of Engineering degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, along with a master’s degree in Business Administration from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2007. Following this, came a Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering from HKUST. Diving into a PhD So how did he originally decide to join the HKUST community? “My late father (Dr Pang Kam Chun, former CEO) didn’t have the chance to go to university, and this remained one of his unrealized dreams,” says Derrick. “At the same time, I have always been inspired to learn more and always wanted to complete the ultimate – a PhD. I had lunch with a professor, who recommended HKUST with its reputation for being ‘hardcore’. So, being one who always loves a challenge, I decided to go for it and chose HKUST,” he adds. Arguably equally impressive is his more than 20 years of geotechnical design and construction experience in Hong Kong and the United States, the country of his birth. Having joined Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited (now known as Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited) in 2001, working his way to the top, he has served as a member of the Construction Industry Council; advises on the Aviation Development and Three-runway System Advisory Committee; is a Non-Executive Director of the Insurance Authority and was appointed as Justice of the Peace by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Starting from zero But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Derrick. After his undergraduate studies, he stayed in the United States for his Alumni Stories
Alumni Terence Tsang (left) and Terry Tsang In October 2022, our Kellogg-HKUST EMBA alumnus Michael Yong-Haron’s friends donated to HKUST in lieu of a gift. Currently Head of North Asia & CEO Hong Kong, BNP Paribas Wealth Management, Michael is also an appointed Member of the HKUST Court. He could not have been more delighted with the outcome, and sees this as a way to contribute to HKUST and also support sustainability as well. Donate today Donors also can leave their indelible mark on campus through a variety of naming opportunities, including a seat at Citi Lecture Theater (LTA); a desk at Lee Shau Kee Library Chevalier Learning Commons; a tree at the walkway near the Lo Ka Chung University Center, and more! Get going, start giving, and support HKUST today. Alumni brothers, Terry and Terence Tsang have pledged to donate HK$10 million to HKUST – HK$3 million will go to our MBA program, and HK$7 million will support the University’s developments through a donation match initiative. For every dollar you donate to the AEF today, the Tsang brothers will donate HK$2 to the University for its overall developments. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your donation go even further in helping both HKUST and the AEF. Alumni participation is greatly appreciated, especially by the students who benefit from your generosity the most. The AEF has been key to helping students over the years, from funding sports and community services, to exchange and extra-curricular programs, and even emergency aid. AEF Student Start-up Grants also allow full-time students with innovative ideas to kick-start their own businesses. Find out more here ➜ Get going, start giving It is often the case that when people need to buy gifts for birthdays, weddings and other occasions, it is a struggle to figure out which present is right. Why not encourage friends and family to help the environment and society with the sustainable option of giving? The Alumni Endowment Fund (AEF) is the perfect platform to donate in lieu of gifts, where you can invite your family and friends to make a charitable donation for special occasions. HKUST Alumni | 11 10 | HKUST Alumni G i v i n g The benefits of the Alumni Endowment Fund Giving for good You Alumnus Terry Tsang Alumnus Terence Tsang HKUST Entrepreneurship Extra-curricular Activities Emergency Aid Exchange-out Programs Sports Community Services
A new era for HKUST The new campus, which is a 30-minute train ride from the Hong Kong West Kowloon railway station, is close to the University's already well-established research platforms in Nansha and Shenzhen, as well as its Research & Development Center in Foshan. The Clear Water Bay campus will continue to support applied science, basic science and research with Schools of Engineering, Science, Business and Management, and Humanities and Social Science. The campus in Guangzhou offers cross-disciplinary active learning with a non-conventional structure incorporating four interconnected academic hubs — Function, Information, Systems and Society. Central Hub University Activities Center Learning for the digital age Ushering in the "HKUST 2.0" vision, the two campuses will further advance the HKUST leadership as an international research university and offer the same high academic standards in both locations. The design of the research and learning campus in Guangzhou also allows for a 54% reduction in carbon emissions from day one and a goal of achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, with an additional goal of zero water waste. The two campuses will form the world's first physical-digital twin campuses in the metaverse, called MetaHKUST, with a mixed virtual reality classroom enabling students from different places to attend classes like they were in the same class. Students can create their own avatars, NFTs, tokens or virtual art work – some of which may be used on physical campuses with augmented reality (AR) technology. The ceremony was staged simultaneously in HKUST’s Guangzhou and Clear Water Bay campuses. Communist Party Secretary of Guangdong Province Mr. Li Xi, Minister of Education Dr. Huai Jinpeng, Governor of Guangdong Province Mr. Wang Weizhong, Secretary of the Communist Party Guangzhou Municipal Committee Mr. Lin Keqing and HKUST(GZ) President Prof. Lionel Ni, jointly announced the official opening of the Guangzhou campus, while Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and former Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Mr. Leung Chun-Ying, as well as HKSAR Chief Executive Mr. John Lee Ka-Chiu spoke on screen at the event. Know more about HKUST(GZ) ➜ HKUST Guangzhou sees highly anticipated opening The long-awaited opening of HKUST (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)) happened on September 1, 2022, with attendees both in-person and online including Central Government, mainland and Hong Kong officials, along with presidents and senior management of top universities around the world, business leaders, long-term partners, and HKUST founding members. HKUST Alumni | 13 12 | HKUST Alumni HKUST Guangzhou
At the ceremony: (left to right) the Honorary Fellows Mr. David Lee WaiHung, Mr. Lee Shing-Put, Former HKUST President Prof. Wei Shyy, Chairman of the HKUST Council the Hon. Andrew Liao Cheung-Sing, the Honorary Fellows Mr. David Fong Man-Hung and the Hon. Starry Lee Wai-King. Precious alumni get-together Photo gallery Mr. Lee Shing-Put 2000 BBA Finance & Economics Despite setting to take over Xinyi Glass, the business founded by his father upon his graduation from HKUST, Put first founded several successful startups, and used the experience he had gained since, to accelerate Xinyi’s evolution from manufacturing and trading to renewable energy generation and storage starting 2011. Currently Chairman of Xinyi Energy, a leading solar power station investor and specialist in the Mainland, he has been pivotal in leading a variety of expansion initiatives. Specific examples include a 24/7 countrywide solar power station surveillance center which has accelerated the company’s modernization. Put has been involved in different philanthropic initiatives and was Chairman of the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon between 2018 to 2019. He has served as the University’s Court Member since 2020. In 2019, Put expressed his gratitude to his alma mater by donating to the HKUST Alumni Endowment Fund in support of various student-focused initiatives. Henceforth, UG Hall I – where he stayed while an undergraduate – has been named after his father as “Lee Yin Yee Hall”. The day was thrilling, with in-person alumni bringing families and friends for a fun-filled and joyous weekend on campus, the perfect way to mark the establishment of several iconic landmarks at HKUST. This incredible Fun Day would not be possible without the unfailing support of our alumni, guest speakers, performers, Schools and Offices. Why not revisit the precious moments? Congratulations must also go to Mr. David Fong Man-Hung of Hip Shing Hong (Holdings), a Council Member of HKUST between 2016 and 2021, where he helped oversee the earlier planning and development of the HKUST (Guangzhou); Mr. David Lee Wai-Hung, a member of the Lee Kum Kee family business, who has worked closely with HKUST, made donations, and served on HKUST’s University Court, and School of Business and Management’s Advisory Council; and Mr. Daniel Yu Chung-Kwong, founder of Maxwell Electronics Ltd., who has supported HKUST’s research endeavors and achievements with several donations, some resulting in matching grants from the government. The Hon. Starry Lee Wai-king 1996 BBA Accounting Throughout her political career, Starry was once the youngest district councilor at 25 and then the youngest female lawmaker at 34. Following her appointment as an Executive Council member in 2012, Starry became the only politician in Hong Kong at the time to hold three seats simultaneously at the city’s District, Legislative, and Executive Councils. In 2015, she became the first Chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB). Acting as sitting member of the HKUST Court since 2016 and having served as the University’s Council Member between 2010 and 2016, Starry has helped facilitate HKUST’s development, including securing government funding for the University’s student dormitory project that enriched students’ learning with residential living experiences. Starry credits the University’s diversified learning environment and open atmosphere for equipping her with the analytical skills needed to consolidate varied ideas into coherent public policies. Highlight video It was yet another great time at our much-anticipated Alumni Fun Day on September 17, 2022. What a wonderful occasion, especially as this is the first time it has been held on campus for a while. Fun Day HKUST Alumni | 15 Many congratulations to our honorary fellows Five distinguished individuals were conferred Honorary Fellowships by HKUST on September 29, 2022. Among them are two alumni of HKUST, Mr. Lee Shing-Put and The Hon. Starry Lee Wai-King, who have greatly aided our development. 14 | HKUST Alumni Honorary Fellows
HKUST Alumni | 17 16 | HKUST Alumni Ping Pong, Physics, and Passion Minnie Soo is a woman who excels and never fails to push herself to the limit. The Hong Kong table tennis star, now 24, has won medals at the World Championship, Asian Games and the 2020 Summer Olympics. Now her next challenge is straight ahead, studying Physics as an undergraduate at HKUST. Minnie's schedule is one that would wear out even the most energetic of people. When we talked with her, Minnie had just flown back from Germany, where she took part in two tournaments during a mid-term break. It makes us wonder, how is she able to accomplish it all? “It takes planning and a tight study schedule, but somehow I get by,” she says. Paddle power From day one, Minnie's life was intertwined with table tennis. Her dad was a table tennis coach and as a result, she was playing from the age of 3 and training with her father from Primary One. “When we were young every event revolved around table tennis, and I already told my father I wanted to be world champion from the age of 4,” she says with a laugh. It is also incidentally, why she developed a love for Physics at the same time, describing the "rhythm, speed, spin, flow and variations" of table tennis as something that fascinated her from day one. One may think that playing table tennis would be pure joy for Minnie, but it can also prove to be difficult. The Olympics, an unparalleled success for her with a bronze medal standing, was also very fullon. “When I got there I was excited but I also felt so much stress. Luckily, there were people helping me with the burden like physios, coaches and teammates. We went through joy and tears — I lost in the singles but in the end, we fought hard in the teams and secured the bronze medal,” Minnie says. It is little wonder she has been awarded “Ten Outstanding Yong Persons (TOYP)” by the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong in 2022. But as with many sportspeople, Minnie has experienced setbacks. Minnie’s neurological injury has posed a huge challenge for her to keep competing at the highest level, as it has impacted her arm movement. “Table tennis is a very important part of my life, and having played full-time since the age of 15, I want to put effort and time into my studies, as I have much to catch-up on. It’s exciting for me!” says Minnie. Focused on campus life Luckily, Minnie has discovered the joys of Physics at HKUST, following her admission under the StudentOlympic table tennis star Minnie Soo is now a Science undergraduate at HKUST, and she never fails to surprise, excel, and do her very best. Ins i ght We can easily burn out by running around and trying to get everything done. We might be disappointed with results at times. But life is long, what happens now doesn’t change the future. Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA). The program offers student athletes special admission arrangements, flexible and personalized support, scholarship and a living allowance. She describes as having wonderful professors, classmates, with the opportunity to learn, expand her mind, and cultivate new passions. While HKUST is an academically rigorous university, Minnie takes it all in her stride, or indeed, her swing. “People here love science and work hard for it, and this is the best atmosphere for studying, I absolutely love it. If I want to pursue further studies I need a firm foundation and do my best,” she says. Whatever happens, Minnie still makes time for her hobbies, reading pop science or science-fiction, enjoying a coffee at a cafe, and keeping her heels firmly on the ground. So being a former Olympian, and having beaten some of the best in the world, what advice would she give to her fellow classmates? "We can easily burn out by running around and trying to get everything done. We might be disappointed with results at times. But life is long, what happens now doesn’t change the future. If you do too much, you might end up asking ourselves ‘why do we do all this?’ So slow down a bit, be satisfied, focus on your goals, and don't burn out. You will be happier and more successful in the long run."
WeChat WeChat }Singapore Alumni Chapter Prof. Yang Wang, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, attended the Annual Presidents’ Meeting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities in July. He also hosted an exclusive dinner for our alumni in Singapore. The Joint-University Alumni Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner brought 200 alumni from five Hong Kong universities together. HKUST Alumni | 19 18 | HKUST Alumni We are back! uHKUST Alumni Association The A1 Annual Dinner in December was tons of fun! Meaningful 3rd Anniversary Exhibition of Caritas Jockey Club Artkids Studio. Learning at a Recycling Class for Soap Cycling. Mid-Autumn Festival Happy Hour offered a joyous occasion for getting together. vAlumni Dragon Boat Club Around 40 people including teammates and their families gathered for a charity race in Milton Keynes, UK in September. Some of them flew thousands of miles to the UK from Canada, Taiwan and Hong Kong for this memorable reunion. wRowing Alumni Association We are enormously proud of our rowing team alumni John Chiu, Hong Lee, Isaac Man, Joyce Fong and Andy Chow who won a medal in Open coxed quad in the 2022 Around The Island Race (ATIR) in November. We completed a 43-km course around Hong Kong Island in 4 hours and 27 seconds. |Beijing Alumni Chapter A day spent hiking in Huanghualiang （黄花梁 ）in July invigorated our group! The Beijing Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Development Forum was co-organized with Hong Kong alumni associations in Beijing. A dance performance “The Free Man From The South” was coorganized with around 20 alumni associations in Beijing. ~Alumni in Japan Japan-based alumni organized a autumn hiking event to discover the spectacular scenery of Mount Takao, 50 km from the center of Tokyo. Great times for all at a BBQ Lunch in Tokyo in July. Alumni in New York Cherished moments at the Fall Dinner Gathering, held at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council New York Office. Ontario Alumni Chapter The Summer Lakeside Fun Day at Darlington Provincial Park was organized with other Hong Kong alumni associations. The Niagara Falls Day Trip brought us together with a wonder of the world. A wonderful moon cake making workshop and Mid-Autumn Festival lantern evening brought our alumni together. We had a perfect picnic at Richmond Green Park. A Fall Foliage Walk at the beautiful Kortright Conservation Area lifted spirits. The special Joint U Annual Dinner was a highlight of the year. Alumni in Vancouver With Prof. Yang Wang in town, a drinks gathering was held for a lovely Sunday afternoon in December. xAlumni Wine Association The Alumni Wine Association co-organized a wine tasting event “Test your palate” with Cathay Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition (HKIWSC). Participants learned how to taste wine like a professional and discovered 100s of wines from across the globe. Alumni in the UK Time for delicious Yum Cha in China Town, London. There were also lovely times at the September boat trip along Regent Canal, and a strong showing of alumni at the October Happy Hour at Canary Wharf. Northern California Alumni Chapter About 30 alumni and friends participated in this HKUST and HKU Joint U hiking in July. They hiked to the Montalvo Arts Center located in the Saratoga hills. In August, nine HKUST alumni and friends hiked the Rancho San Antonio trail in Cupertino and then had lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Sunnyvale, California. zMBA Alumni Toastmasters Club The Club moved to a new venue, theDesk at United Centre in Admiralty. They have organized several events, including two Distinguished Members Workshops with insights into mastering public speaking. Meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month. Mainland Alumni Association A healthy day with Chung Yeung Festival hiking at Dragon's Back （龍脊）. The Alumni Organic Farm Experience Day was a stunning day to connect with nature. Happenings yMBA Alumni Association It was an incredible Webinar! “What the Future Holds” from super forecaster, Dr. Warren Hatch, CEO of Good Judgment, was compelling! The Webinar: “Debunking Parenting Myths” by Renée Boey, offered incredible insights. Another raucous Happy hour, held in November 2022! More and more face-to-face events are happening nowadays, see what is happening and we look forward to your participation in the near future!
What are my old classmates doing now? Ontario New York Northern California Singapore Vancouver Shanghai London Tokyo Guangzhou Beijing Class Notes You don’t have to guess anymore! Check out their news below. And we want to hear everything about you, so remember to share your photos and updates with us via this QR code. HKUST Alumni | 21 Jeffrey Lee 2017 BEng COMP In 2012, we met at HKUST. Finally, we got married in September 2022 after three years’ long-distance relationship. Joy! Gypsy Chi 2009 BBA ACCT Dennis and I are thrilled to welcome the latest addition, our 5th child, to the family! Alice Sin 2017 BEng COMP | 2019 MPhil CSE Gogo Cheng 2006 BBA Mark After 18 years of establishing successful Customer Loyalty Programs for renowned luxury brands, I recently launched Gogo Cheng Consulting Limited – an international customer loyalty and luxury consultancy. Mabel Cheng 2017 BBA Mark & MGMT As a compliance expert with Bulge Bracket Investment Banks, I have recently published a book 《打破思想籠牢的懷疑人生法則》 that shares my transformational career development. I want to inspire people to utilize their potential, realize dreams and find happiness. (Pen Name: 麥蘭蒂斯 @matlantis.hk ) Smile Wong 2017 BSc BISC I have been trained as a physiotherapist and recently joined a new clinic, Humaneo Sports Rehabilitation and Integrated Therapy Centre, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Come say hi! Chan Wing Tat 2014 BEng CIVL We welcomed the birth of our baby boy Ethan in March 2022. Cute! Cherry Suen 2013 BEng CIVL Get connected with our important alumni survey By keeping information current, you will know about the latest alum events in your neighborhood, and receive the latest university news and information. You can also keep abreast of offers, events and benefits. Your input is crucial to planning our future engagement programs. Get connected now! With your support, the alumni community has developed over the past 30 years into a vast and strong international network across the globe. Face-to-face gatherings are resuming, so it’s time to update your contact information by filling out our short survey. Alumni Connect 20 | HKUST Alumni
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