14 December 2017

Dear alumni,

For our last newsletter of 2017, I would like to review three key initiatives that have been so well supported by our friends in the community. The generosity shown to CityU serves as a huge boost for the entire campus, validating the teaching that we provide and the research that we pursue.

The first item concerns the HK$500-million donation from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the largest single donation received by the University so far. This incredibly kind gift will be used to help build Jockey Club One Health Tower, which is destined to become an iconic landmark on campus. It will house CityU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, and other top-notch facilities. The One Health concept, which jointly emphasises the health of humans, animals and the environment, is a core focus of the interdisciplinary research identified in CityU’s 2015–2020 Strategic Plan.

Meanwhile, the CityU Foundation Annual Dinner, held under the theme “Dream, Navigate, Accomplish (DNA)”, raised over HK$12 million, a record for the Foundation. The funds will be used mainly to help students participate in activities such as overseas exchanges, internships and competitions. The dinner was a lot of fun, with members of the management teams dressing up for the occasion as ship captains, and I would like to thank the more than 500 guests, including many alumni members of the CityU Foundation, for their bigheartedness that night.

The third item focuses on the all-important issue of sustainability. Thanks to the vision of CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, we jointly set up the CLP Power Low Carbon Energy Education Centre on campus with the aim to raise public awareness about the impact of climate change and the importance of low-carbon energy sources. The new centre is an excellent example of how the business and education sectors can join together to raise awareness about climate change. I hope you have the chance to visit the centre—it really is a fascinating place to learn about important low-carbon matters.

On a final note for 2017, I have been very happy to see the growth of our alumni network on the mainland. The latest event saw over 200 participants from various cities such as Shenzhen, Beijing, Chengdu, etc. gather in Shanghai for a reunion organised by the Alumni Relations Office in early December, a record for mainland reunions. I am also delighted to witness the inauguration of the Second Executive Committee of the Shanghai alumni chapter.

The support of our alumni is a source of great strength. The public statement posted by a group of senior alumni in the local media promoting CityU’s achievements was just one recent example. I am sure that in thanking those alumni for their support, I speak for the entire CityU community.

Season’s Greetings to you and all your loved ones!

Way Kuo
President and University Distinguished Professor
City University of Hong Kong

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