Hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff and students joined the Business School’s first homecoming, which was organized through the award-winning “Alumination”, an initiative to create a sense of connection and belonging to the School.
The event was held in the new Lee Shau Kee Building which, like Alumination itself, is helping to unify the School. For the first time, all components of the Business School are now housed under one roof – a place to call home.
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About 300 guests including alumni from the first graduating class in 1994 up to the present day, attended the homecoming festivities and enjoyed the opportunity to meet up with the School’s professors and reconnect with their peers.
Several key figures in the School’s history also joined in, including Founding Dean, Prof Yuk-shee Chan, Former Dean Prof Leonard Cheng and Former Senior Associate Dean, Prof Steve DeKrey, who participated in a sharing session to talk about the past, present and future of the Business School. Acting Dean Prof Kalok Chan, HKUST President Prof Tony Chan and Vice-President Dr Eden Woon were also on hand.
‘I feel honoured to share my stories with alumni about the founding stage of the university 20 years ago, and it is impressive to see how much HKUST Business School has grown over the years, ’said Founding Dean Prof Yuk-shee Chan.
His view was echoed by Prof Leonard Cheng, Former Dean of the HKUST’s School of Business and Management.
‘I really enjoyed sharing the old memories with former colleagues, alumni and current students. I hope they can continue to participate in alumni activities and reconnect with their alma mater.’
Prof Steve DeKrey, Former Senior Associate Dean and now President of the Asian Institute of Management in the Philippines, made a special trip to Hong Kong to join this event.
‘I’ve spent 16 years teaching in HKUST and today I’m still an Adjunct Professor with HKUST. It was indeed the greatest time in my career. I enjoyed working with a great team of professional faculties which contributed to the success of the Business School. I always see our alumni as important assets of the business school and I’m proud of their achievements,’ said Prof DeKrey.
A special ceremony unveiled the Alumination Tree, which represents a physical connection for alumni to the new campus, symbolizing the fact that they spring from the same root and will grow together. A virtual tree has also been created and the School’s 19,000 alumni are invited to “like” it.
Current students also participated as tour guides for the Lee Shau Kee Business Building and program ambassadors to receive alumni and their guests. The building features modern classrooms, a lecture theater, computer labs, seminar and breakout rooms and other facilities, as well as a courtyard and rooftop garden, all in a beautiful natural setting.
The concept “Alumination” represents a unifying spirit in bringing “alumni” into one “nation” and it received a Silver Award for Marketing and Branding for alumni program in this year’s Circle of Excellence Awards, organized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
Alumination was launched in late 2011 and has become signature alumni reunion activities in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Singapore. This homecoming event in Hong Kong has concluded the series of reunions for 2013. It was a great way for alumni to reconnect with the Business School and their former classmates. We hope to see or hear from you in future – stay in touch!
Sharing Session by Former Deans : “The Past, Present and Future of HKUST Business School”
Homecoming Day Video Highlights