In a move that marks a milestone in the development of alumni relations, the Council of City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has approved the setting up of the University Convocation to facilitate greater input from alumni.

The Convocation, which will be established with effect from 1 January 2007, is recognition of the contributions from alumni over the years and will serve as a formal link between the University and its former students.

Sharing the broad vision of “Uniting Alumni to Support CityU Development”, the Convocation will focus on enhancing communication and relations between the University and alumni and among the alumni themselves, according to Mr Andrew Fan Ka-fai, Chairman of the Provisional Standing Committee of the Convocation.

Plans are afoot for the Convocation to meet with University stakeholders including Council members, senior management of the University and various alumni organizations upon its formation to promote the Convocation and explore collaboration opportunities.

It was hoped that through these efforts alumni can work together to support the development of the University, Mr Fan said. To give the alumni a greater voice in University affairs, the Chairman of the Convocation is expected to serve as a member of the Council.

CityU President Professor H K Chang said the University had seen a natural progression and growing maturity in the alumni as they continue to show greater support for their alma mater.

“The spirit of ‘Caring by Serving and Caring by Giving’ has been growing in the alumni community,” Professor Chang said.

Strong support was also obtained from the Council, which has indicated that now is the right time for the establishment of the Convocation.

CityU now had about 80,000 alumni but a formal body to represent them in the University was lacking, said Ms Kathy Chan Yin-ling, Director of the Development and Alumni Relations Office (DAO).

“The setting up of the Convocation provides a systematic and formal channel for the alumni to take part in University development,” Ms Chan said.

With the blessing of the Council, a Convocation Organizing Committee convened by DAO and comprising 20 experienced and enthusiastic alumni leaders was formed in late 2005 to draft the constitution, rules of meetings and to take part in other preparations for the formation of the Convocation.

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To ensure smooth transition, the Council has appointed the Organizing Committee to serve as the Provisional Standing Committee of the Convocation from 1 January to 31 December 2007, during which time it will execute duties as stated in the University’s Constitution and conduct an election for the first Standing Committee.