Lingnan University kicks off mentorship programmes to support student success in Hong Kong and the GBA
Lingnan University hosts the kick-off ceremony of the Mentorship Programmes 2024-25. (From left: Ms Yilia Xu, Chairman of Lingnan University Postgraduate Alumni Association (LUPAA); Prof Li Donghui, Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs) of Lingnan University; Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost; Ms Carrie Leung, Chairman of Career Development Committee & Council and Court Member of Lingnan University; Ms Irene Ng Wai-ming, Director of Student Affairs.)
Themed 'Forging Connections, Cultivating Talents', the opening ceremony for the 2024-25 Lingnan University Mentorship Programmes was held at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel on 26 October 2024. The following five mentorship initiatives have been in place for long, and were kicked off for 2024-25 en bloc:
· Lingnan University Postgraduate Mentorship Programme
· Lingnanian Executive Mentoring Programme
· Lingnan University Banking & Finance Mentorship Programme
· Lingnan University Insurance Mentoring and Scholarship Scheme
· Police Mentorship Programme.
In light of the Government’s recent policy allowing full-time, non-local undergraduates in Hong Kong to work part-time from next month, this initiative is the first combined effort to support both undergraduates and postgraduates. These mentorship programmes aim to increase peer support and networking between local and non-local students. With nearly 600 mentors and mentees, this year boasts the highest number of participants to date, encouraging students to apply the innovative and creative thinking necessary for success in the digital era, while improving their networking and career competitiveness in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
This year’s mentors are successful Lingnan alumni and professionals in senior positions across a wide range of industries, representing well-known corporations from Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas in accountancy, banking, advertising, education, and insurance.
Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost delivers his welcome remarks.
Ms Carrie Leung, Chairman of the Career Development Committee makes her speech.
Prof Albert Ip Yuk-keung, a leading international banker, real estate professional and educator, also speaks at the ceremony.
From right: Prof Li Donghui, Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs) of Lingnan University; Ms Carrie Leung, Chairman of Career Development Committee & Council and Court Member of Lingnan University; Mr Quincy Lui Kwan-yiu, Member of the Career Development Committee & Council and Court Member of Lingnan University; Prof Raymond Chan Hon-fu, Vice-President (Academics) cum Provost.
Yip Ka-kit (right) says that Dr Kanny Chiu (left), Lingnan alumnus and Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Internet and e-Commerce Association gives him valuable personalised advice, encouraging him to leverage innovation and technology and his strengths in the job market, seize development opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, compete effectively, and become an outstanding executive with a global perspective.
In 2023-24, Yip Ka-kit, a Year 3 undergraduate majoring in Contemporary English Studies, and Fakoya Oluwatobi Emmanuel, a graduate of the Master of Cities and Governance Programme, took part in the Lingnanian Executive Mentoring Programme and the Lingnan University Postgraduate Mentorship Programme respectively. They were both mentored by Dr Kanny Chiu, a Lingnan alumnus and Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Internet and e-Commerce Association, with whom they stayed in close contact.
Yip Ka-kit says, “Over the past year, my mentor told me about how he had looked for jobs, and helped me understand the various career paths available after graduation. He also generously provided me with resources in order to apply for start-up funds on and off campus, as well as training opportunities at home and abroad, thus equipping me for the future.”