14
HKUST Alumni News 2015
Insight
Dear Alumni,
Having served the HKUST Alumni Association as its President for several
years, I was honored to be elected Chairman of HKUST Convocation and
to lead this body as well, starting from April. I was elected along with eight
other alumni at the Convocation AGM 2015 in March as a member of the
Standing Committee for the 2015-17 session.
First, I would like to thank Sean Lin, our Founding Convocation Chairman, who
has laid a solid foundation for the Convocation over the past four years, along with
his teams. The bonds among alumni and the University have been greatly strengthened
as a result. Sean will remain on the Standing Committee as its Immediate Past Chairman.
As you know, all graduates automatically become members upon graduation, but some of you may be asking yourselves: “What’s the
difference between the HKUST Convocation and HKUST Alumni Association?” Let me take this opportunity to provide some answers.
THE HKUST CONVOCATION’S MISSION
is to offer help and ideas to the University, and this is achieved through two avenues:
promoting goodwill among members of the Convocation and between the Convocation and the University; and promoting good
relations between the University and the general public.
In order to achieve these goals, the Convocation addresses a wide range of issues related to students’ campus life, campus
development and facilities and so on, and we bring these issues to the attention of the University. We have been facilitating integration
of alumni and students — both local and non-local — through a number of lunch gatherings. In addition, the Convocation Chairman
represents alumni on the HKUST Council and is one of the members of the Campus Development Committee, responsible for
overseeing and advising the Council on matters relating to the planning and development of University facilities.
In light of the University’s strategic development, we are introducing two new sub-committees, namely the Entrepreneurship
Committee and Globalization Committee, on top of the current Academic Affairs Committee, Student Affairs Committee and University
Development Committee.
WITH REGARD TO THE HKUST ALUMNI ASSOCIATION,
in achieving its vision of “Alumni Inspire Alumni”, A1 Team, the
Executive Committee, has created an open platform for alumni to interact with one another through different programs under the
three-pillar structure, namely Alumni Engagement, Community Service and Entrepreneur Circle.
We hold a fabulous array of networking events, three or four every month on average. We are particularly focused on bringing
together the growing population of alumni entrepreneurs and those involved in community service, as well as boosting our membership
drive through a new wave of attractive membership offers and welfare.
I AM HONORED TO BE THE FIRST ALUMNUS TO TAKE UP
the helms of both A1 and Convocation at the same time. True to
the HKUST spirit of being “first”, I have been a pioneer at various stages of my life: being involved in one of the first companies to offer web
design, back in 1996 when I was at HKUST, and I was the first to gather a full team of 30 in the Alumni Association, writing the history of A1.
HKUST encourages alumni to give back to their alma mater and society. When my business grew to 100 staff in 2008, I decided
to start serving the HKUST community. Today, I have over 250 staff and I continue to do my best in serving the University and alumni
community, and giving back to society. When I am asked how I spend my time, I usually say 3:3:3 – split equally between family,
business and community (which includes HKUST-related activities).
With the University entering a new era as it commemorates its 25th anniversary in 2015-2016, I am honored to be able to serve my
alma mater, represent my fellow alumni and work for their betterment through these two roles. A series of celebratory programs will be
revealed soon – the highlight will definitely be the grand celebration dinner to be held on June 19, 2016. Stay tuned!
My teams are committed to serving alumni and we all look forward to your continuous support! I would like to thank my teammates for
their support in the coming years, and I sincerely invite any passionate alumni to join as volunteers to continue our mission.
Yours sincerely,
Alvin Lam
Chairman, HKUST Convocation 2015-17
President, HKUST Alumni Association 2014-16
ONE MISSION!
TWO HELMS,
