[Message from HKUAA Singapore Chapter]
On the evening of 14 August 2026, the Hong Kong University Alumni Association Singapore Chapter (HKUAASG) warmly welcomed a new group of HKU exchange students at our very first Welcome Gathering for the HKU Mentorship (Offshore) Programme. We met at Little Rogue, a charming café nestled in the heritage streets of Tiong Bahru, where mentors, mentees, committee members, and guests came together for a relaxed dinner and a heartfelt welcome to Singapore.
A First for the Chapter, in a Very Special Year
This was the first time our Chapter has hosted a dedicated welcome gathering for the mentorship programme, making it especially meaningful to begin this new tradition in 2026—our 65th anniversary year. Sixty-five years mark a long journey, and we could not have reached this milestone without the warmth and loyalty of our alumni community. Celebrating alongside a room full of new friendships felt like the best kind of milestone.
Bringing Mentors and Mentees Together
At the heart of the programme, HKU alumni in Singapore give their time as mentors to students newly arrived on exchange, offering guidance and encouragement as they settle into life in a new city.
A Wonderful Wealth of Experience
What made the evening so special was the sheer variety of experiences represented. Our mentors came from all walks of life and every career stage: from postgraduate researchers like Chan Kai San 陳啟燊 (BEng(BME)), to Jennifer K. Y. Lam 林家欣 (BA), who shared her fascinating world as a museum curator, to William Chong 莊子揚 (BEng(CivE)), who offered a lively glimpse into life in the start-up world. We were also touched by how many alumni came simply to connect and lend their support, even those who were not matched with a mentee this time. Their generosity speaks volumes about the spirit of our community. And at the centre of it all were our exchange students, arriving from a range of faculties and full of curiosity about the year ahead.
Honoured Guests
We were delighted to welcome Ms Elsa Hung 熊佩玲 (MPA), Director, and Ms Teresa Poon, Deputy Director, of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO), Singapore. Their kind presence reflected the close and lasting ties between Hong Kong and Singapore, and meant a great deal to our students.
A Personal Thank You to Our Mentors
To thank our mentors for their generosity, the President, Ms Vivian Yuen 袁靜汶 (BNurs, MNurs) presented each of them with a souvenir and an HKU Mentorship Programme badge in person. It was a small but sincere gesture—a chance to look each mentor in the eye and express gratitude for the time and care they so willingly give.
A Warm Evening, and a Bright Year Ahead
The warmth of the evening continued right through to the end, and we are thrilled that most of our mentees have already signed up to join us again at the Chapter’s upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival Dinner. It is a wonderful sign of a community putting down roots. With a growing, energetic membership and 65 years of history behind us, we look forward to a bright year ahead and to welcoming every new cohort of students with open arms.
For more about the HKUAA Singapore Chapter, visit: [https://www.alumni.hku.hk/hkuaasg/]
