Overseas Alumni Networks
Highlights
Lingnan's President, Prof S. Joe Qin, meets with alumnus and renowned economist Prof Gregory Chow to share the latest developments and achievements of Lingnan University
To further strengthen the university's international network and alumni connections, Professor S. Joe Qin, President of Lingnan University and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, along with Dr Ding-Jo Currie, President of Lingnan Foundation, recently visited distinguished alumnus and renowned economist, Prof Gregory Chow Chi-chong, in the U.S.A. During this meeting, they shared insights on the university's recent innovative developments and outstanding achievements.
Prof Chow has maintained a strong bond with Lingnan since his student days. This meeting not only reflected Prof Chow's valuable journey with Lingnan, it also looked ahead to the university's ambitious future vision. President Qin presented Prof Chow with a digital animation featuring “Ten Alumni Hall” in the background, symbolizing the historical contributions of Prof Chow's father — one of the "Ten Alumni"— embodying the enduring spirit of Lingnan that has been passed down through generations. The original artwork was created by Mr. Szto Wai, an outstanding alumnus from the class of 1908, renowned for his vivid watercolors depicting the Lingnan University campus. It was then transformed into a digital animation by students from Lingnan University's Animation and Digital Arts (ADA) programme.
This exchange not only highlighted the deep emotional ties among Lingnan alumni but also demonstrated the university's commitment to connecting with global alumni. Lingnan University warmly invites Prof Chow and his wife to return to campus in the future to engage with students and faculties, collaboratively advancing Lingnan's mission of excellence and continuing the remarkable legacy of the Lingnan community.
Lingnan’s President S. Joe Qin Celebrates the Lunar New Year with Alumni in Los Angeles
To further expand Lingnan University's international network and academic collaboration, Professor S. Joe Qin, the President of the university and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, recently travelled to the United States to host Lingnan Global Forum of AAC&U, discuss and analyse the current global economic environment, as well as the impact of AI on society, with leaders from various fields. During this trip, he made a special visit to the Lingnan Alumni Association in Los Angeles, where he reminisced about the university's spirit with alumni and shared insights into Lingnan's current developments and future vision.
At the event, our beloved Lingnanians share the experiences and their personal growth and life stories. The Lingnan University alumni network spans the globe, and this event exemplified the spirit of "once a Lingnanian, always a Lingnanian," further enhancing friendships among alumni and their ties to Lingnan University. The enthusiastic participation and support from alumni will further contribute to the university's development.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, Prof Qin and the alumni of the Los Angeles Alumni Association recorded a video together, conveying their heartfelt wishes to all Lingnanians worldwide for a Happy New Year, good health, family happiness, and prosperity in the Year of the Snake.
A night of Lingnanians’ reunion in Shanghai
On April 18, 2024, Mr Andrew Yao Cho Fai, BBS, JP, the Chairman of the Council at Lingnan University, along with Professor S. Joe Qin, the President of the university and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science, visited the Lingnan University Shanghai Alumni Association. The occasion was a dinner gathering attended by approximately 20 alumni in Shanghai, as well as delegates from the alumni association.
Chairman Yao looked forward to the continuous connections and interactions between Lingnan University and mainland Lingnanians, embodying the cultural spirit of “once a lingnanian, always a lingnanian”. President Qin shared the latest developments of Lingnan University and suggested targeting 4 kinds of incorporations, including the one between traditional programmes and digitalization, between arts and science, between the Greater Bay Area and the globe, and between the history and cultural inheritance of Lingnan University. The participants also took the opportunity to reminisce about their own experiences at Lingnan and expressed their delight at hearing about the positive developments of Lingnan.
As Prof Qin described, “The greater the alumni, the greater the alma mater.” This gathering not only underscored the vibrant alumni network associated with Lingnan University but also exemplified the enduring bonds and humanistic spirit that connect generations of Lingnan alumni. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Lingnan University Shanghai Alumni Association for their role in facilitating this memorable dinner gathering.
Lingnan’s President Prof S. Joe Qin engages in dialogues with renowned economist Prof Gregory Chow
To strengthen connections with alumni and showcase the university's rich history and accomplishments, Lingnan University has initiated a series of alumni interview activities. The first session, led by Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, featured a conversation with distinguished alumnus and renowned economist Prof Gregory Chow Chi-chong in the US.
Born in Guangzhou in 1930, Prof Chow is a prominent economist, renowned globally as a Professor of Economics and Professor of Political Economy at Princeton University, Prof Chow specialises in econometrics and dynamic economics. He has made significant contributions, including the well-known "Chow Test," which is widely used. During the interview, Prof Chow reminisced about his deep connections with Lingnan since childhood. His father, Mr Chow Tin-pong, was one of the donors supporting the construction of Ten Friends Hall at Lingnan University. Prof Chow attended Lingnan Primary School in Hong Kong, Lingnan Middle School in Macau and Guangzhou, and the first grade at Lingnan University before pursuing further studies in the US in 1948, where he obtained his bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Cornell University and the University of Chicago, respectively.
Prof Chow shared, "My two elder brothers and I studied at Lingnan because my family considered Lingnan the best school. My older and second brothers studied at Lingnan University before going to the US for further studies, and I followed suit." Prof Chow, who has always been dedicated to Lingnan's development, was invited to lead an advisory panel in Hong Kong in 1986. His recommendations significantly improved Lingnan College's educational standards, leading to the acquisition of university status and government funding. In 1994, Lingnan University conferred its first batch of honorary Doctor of Laws degrees, and Prof Chow was the recipient.
Lingnan’s President S. Joe Qin visits world-renowned institutions to explore international academic collaboration opportunities and strengthen ties with Lingnan alumni
To further expand Lingnan University's international network and consolidate its leading position in academic research, Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, embarked on a two-week visit to the US. During this visit, he engaged in discussions with various prestigious institutions to explore international academic collaboration, aiming to provide students with additional global learning prospects. As the Year of the Dragon is around the corner, President Qin also gathered with Lingnan alumni in the US, fostering connections and leveraging the collective strength of shared experiences to enhance global alumni relationships.
President Qin met with Prof Jong-shi Pang, a member of the US National Academy of Engineering and a Professor at the University of Southern California (USC), to explore collaboration in fields such as big data and artificial intelligence. President Qin introduced Lingnan University's plans to establish the Institute for Advanced Study and the School of Data Science. Prof Pang expressed the hope for collaborative groundbreaking research and noted that he is also a Lingnan alumnus, having graduated from Lingnan Primary School in Vietnam.
During his visit, President Qin also made separate visits to the Lingnan Alumni Association in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he shared the latest developments of Lingnan with alumni. At the gathering, he presented a gift to Prof Leonard K Cheng, the former President of Lingnan University, and invited Prof Cheng to document his tenure as the University's President for the past ten years. President Qin said: "As Lingnan University approaches its 60th anniversary of re-establishment, we are committed to substantial development and the establishment of Lingnan University's first history museum. This initiative aims to pass on the Lingnan spirit. I sincerely invite our alumni to return home, contributing to the cultivation of more outstanding Lingnan individuals and spreading the Lingnan spirit worldwide."
