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The University of Hong Kong Alumni Association in Singapore was formed in 1946 by graduates of the University who returned to Singapore and some graduates from Hong Kong who had come to Singapore to settle down. The HKU Alumni Association is the oldest alumni in Singapore. Enrolment of students from Singapore into the University had in fact begun in the mid 1910s, shortly after the University was founded in 1911, as Hong Kong University was the only institute of higher learning in the region at that time. Singapore students then mainly pursued courses in medicine and engineering, and until today, the majority of our alumni members are graduates from these two faculties. There was a regular flow of students from Singapore into the University from those early days until 1941, and an even greater increase immediately after World War II. The flow ceased with the establishment and expansion of universities in the region. Membership number has been around 200 for the last 20 years. The newer and younger members are mostly graduates from Hong Kong University who grew up and lived in Hong Kong, but now stay in Singapore starting 1970. They are from a variety of faculties. With the implementation of student exchange programme between National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore Management University (SMU) and HKU, selected students from HKU are given the opportunity to attend courses for one or two semesters at universities in Singapore. Members of the Alumni volunteer as mentors for these students to give them guidance if necessary, and provide the students a home away from home. Aims of the HKU Alumni Association in Singapore are, as they were in 1946, to foster closer ties among members, to maintain a link with the University, and to give assistance to students intending to proceed to the Hong Kong University for further studies. Functions include an annual dinner, luncheon talks on topics of interest to members, barbecue gatherings and outings are organised by the management committee of the Alumni Association. |
