THE UWC ALUMNI FORUM
Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, UWC Hong Kong Committee and UWC Graduates Organization HK are jointly organising the UWC Alumni Forum. This Forum takes the place of the LPCUWC Professional Talks.
The Forum is a series of online talks delivered by UWC alumni from different colleges and generations across the globe. It aims to facilitate knowledge-sharing and inspire thought-provoking exchanges between the speakers and the public.
Within the international context of UWC, the Forum provides a platform for connection, collaboration, engagement and empowerment. It also seeks to broaden the perspectives through which different challenges confronting the world could be better understood and their solutions explored.
All sessions are conducted via Zoom. Registration is free.
UWC Alumni Webinar Talk - Mental Health Challenges and Wellbeing
Synopsis
Social events and COVID 19 affect our body mind and soul. How to stay healthy and happy and find meaning nowadays remains a daily challenge. By asking fundamental questions, paying attention to the basics of life and getting informed by the latest research on mental health and wellbeing one can go beyond anxiety depression and distress and achieve growth and resilience.
Speakers:
1. Dr. Christian Chan (LPC 1999) is an associate professor of clinical psychology at HKU. His research interests include disaster mental health, positive youth development, and intergroup relations. Intrigued by his own boredom (existential and otherwise), in recent years, he jumps on the bandwagon and investigates the ubiquitous emotion; it has proven to be a professionally fruitful and personally rewarding line of work.
In this sharing, Christian borrows from theories of emotion to discuss how to make sense--and make use--of our inner experience, especially when facing chaos. Boredom is prominently featured, among other emotions. Through this, he promulgates the increasingly popular approach of lifestyle medicine and, as such, argues that mental health is perhaps a construct more redundant than we think.
2. Professor Michael TH Wong
Michael is Clinical Professor and Head of Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, his medical alma mater. Michael is also trained in clinical neurosciences, theology and philosophy. His recent monograph, Ricoeur and the Third Discourse of the Person: From Philosophy and Neuroscience to Psychiatry and Theology (Lexington Press, 2019), summarises his clinical practice and interdisciplinary research into mental health and wellbeing.
Michael is Chair, Section for Philosophy and Humanities in Psychiatry, World Psychiatric Association.
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UWC Alumni Forum- Gloom or Bloom - what’s your post-COVID strategy?
Synopsis
The COVID-19 nightmare has disrupted our way of life and mode of work. The vaccines offer a glimmer of hope, but the virus may stay for another year, or even in perpetuity as it mutates. For business, it is time to walk out of crisis mode and embrace the new normal, but what is the new normal? Join Kenneth She, a corporate executive, and Eugene Liu, a lawyer-turned- entrepreneur, for a discussion on what the path of business recovery will entail. The session will be moderated by Elizabeth Fung, who will also offer a macroeconomic perspective on the key ingredients for Hong Kong’s economic recovery.
Speakers
Kenneth She, LPCUWC 2006
Kenneth She is the former CEO of Humansa, the ageing and wellness platform of New World Development. Joining the team in 2018, Kenneth spearheaded the operation of over ten elderly homes, wellness clinics, medical centers, and the home care nursing platform with over 4,000 healthcare professionals under management in Hong Kong and China. Prior to New World, Kenneth was the General Manager of Uber Hong Kong and the first employee of Uber Hong Kong since 2014.
Gene Liu, LPCUWC 2006
Gene Liu is a Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudwork (a.k.a. LegalX). He drives the strategic direction of the company and is deeply involved in product development. A Cyberport Incubatee and a Microsoft Partner, Cloudwork empowers teams to collaborate real-time and reproduce high-value workflows, with tight access control, document management and NLP analytics. Before founding Cloudwork, Gene had advised on regulatory and policy matters at the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and practiced as a corporate lawyer at leading international law firms, including Sidley Austin LLP and Morrison & Foerster LLP.
Moderator
Elizabeth Fung, UWC Mahindra College 2007
Elizabeth is Political Assistant to Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Hong Kong SAR Government. She supports the Secretary in stakeholder engagement and legislative affairs.
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(NEW) Doing Good in the times of Adversity
- bringing light to sight in Africa and light to mind in China!
Date: 28 January 2021
Time: 8PM to 9:30PM HKT
Click to Register for Free
Speakers
Dr Joyce Samoutou-Wong (UWC AC 93-95)
After graduating from Diocesan Girls’ School, United World College and Edinburgh Medical School, Joyce left cosmopolitan life to practise medicine in the rainforest of Gabon. In 2012, she and husband Henri founded the charity New Sight Eye Care in the Republic of Congo while homeschooling three children. They have established two eye centres and are now building a hospital. Joyce, an inspirational and sought-after speaker known for her sincerity and natural ability to make the audience both laugh and cry, is a recipient of the Excellence in Ophthalmology Vision Award, Women of Hope Award and Compassion Award.
Wesley Chiu, (LPCUWC 93-94), is the co-founder of Project Volunteer Online 支教中国2.0. He is a founding team member and board director of UWC Changshu China. He also serves in the UWC China National Committe as Selection Coordinator. Before his career in education, he was a lawyer for more than 20 years, serving on the board of various multinational companies. His research interest is in education and philosophy. He was a visiting scholar at Harvard University for a year and is now self-studying philosohpy at Fudan University.
About the Topic
2020 is a year of great challenge in the history of human race, with the world turned upside down. In the times of adversity, how can we still keep clarity with hope, and be able to do good to ourselves and others?
Our two UWC Alumni Dr Joyce Wong and Mr Wesley Chui will share with us their inspirational experience in Africa and China.
It is in darkness that we see the bright stars. Still, we can make a difference even in the times of great adversities.
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COVID-19: What's Next?
Date: 22 October 2020
Time: 8PM to 9:30PM HKT
Click to Register for Free
Speakers
Dr. Fung Hong (Pearson College UWC 1974-1976). Dr. Fung is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre and a Professor of Practice at the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Before he joined CUHK, Dr. Fung was Cluster Chief Executive of the New Territories East Cluster and Hospital Chief Executive of the Prince of Wales Hospital at the Hospital Authority from 2002 to 2013.
Dr. Chan Po Ling Catherine (LPUWC 2008-2010). Dr. Chan obtained her medical degree (MBChB) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2015. To pursue her dream as an engineer, she took a gap year before the completion of her medical internship and studied a research master's in Medical Robotic and Image-Guided Intervention. Dr. Chan is currently under specialty training in Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Cancer Surgery at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
Moderator
Ken Yeung (UWC USA 84), CEO and Executive Director of Tom Group Ltd and Chairman of the UWCHK
About the Topic
COVID-19 has both changed and claimed lives around the world. How could it have been prevented? Is it here to stay? What is next? With Hong Kong's experience with COVID-19 and SARS in 2003, what lessons could be applied to prepare for future outbreaks of similar scale?
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THE LPCUWC PROFESSIONAL TALKS
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought people across time zones and geographical locations together. Amid social distancing, virtual platforms have not only bridged friends and families or fostered collaboration; it has more importantly (re)ignited interest to make relevant contributions to the society. A strong global network, the UWC community is a gateway to making this happen.
The LPCUWC Professional Talks harnesses the potential of the UWC community, through the alumni of Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong, in facilitating professional development. It primarily serves as a platform for self-improvement, professional enhancement and continuing learning within a broad range of areas of expertise. For alumni, it is one way to give back to the UWC movement through two of the three Ts: time and talent (the third one being treasure).
All sessions are conducted via Zoom webinar. Registration is free.
"Empowering Voices Through the Silent Motions of Dancing"
Speaker: Dr. Victor Fung (LPCUWC 2001), Artistic Director / Choreographer, Victor Fung Dance
Date: 29 September 2020 (Tuesday)
Time: 6:30PM HKT
Moderator: Nayeli Gómez Lozano (LPCUWC 2001), Head of International Communications for Latin America at Uber
About the Topic
A recent survey on Singapore’s The Sunday Times named artists as ‘the top non-essential job’ in a pandemic. Is there still a place for the arts during and after COVID? In this webinar, Victor reflects on his work around recalibrating power and bringing about social change through dance and the arts. From the common room parties at LPCUWC to stages across four continents, Victor shares his unique journey into the world of dance and his vision on effecting positive change through values-led artistic leadership.
About the Speaker
Victor is a member of LPCUWC Class of 2001. He is the Artistic Director / Choreographer of Victor Fung Dance, a transnational contemporary dance company based in London and Hong Kong. His artistic practice spans choreography, performance, research, and pedagogy. Victor is an RSA Fellow, a Clore Fellow and an Established Leader of Creative Leadership at School for Social Entrepreneurs.
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"ADVANCING WOMEN: Developing Leaders & Building Community"
Speaker: Gabriella Zanzanaini (LPCUWC 2002), Director of Pipeline Initiatives, The Women's Foundation, Hong Kong
Date: 18 August 2020 (Tuesday)
Time: 6:30PM HKT
Moderator: Alex Bent (LPCUWC 1996), Co-Founder & Managing Partner at District15
About the Topic
“It’s not about bringing more women to the table, it’s about building a bigger table.” A more diverse and inclusive society does not mean that when one part of society goes up, another part goes down. What it really means is that we all rise together and are given the opportunity to fulfil our full potential as individuals, as families, as organisations.
Our speaker will share what the current status of women in Hong Kong is and what we can all do to advance gender equality and build a more inclusive society. If you’re interested in finding out why a supportive network is crucial to resilience, leadership and courage, this webinar is for you.
About the Speaker
As Director of Pipeline Initiatives at The Women's Foundation, Gabriella leads all gender diversity and inclusion programmes, partnerships and initiatives that support the development of the pipeline of female talent in Hong Kong for executive and non-executive roles. She works with senior business leaders across various industries to innovate, drive and impact behavioural change for a more inclusive workplace and city.
Prior to this, Gabriella was Director of Food & Water Europe in Brussels; the European branch of an American NGO working to protect our food and water. Her responsibilities included government relations, public policy, strategy development as well as building up the European Water Movement, a network of national organisations fighting for the recognition of the human right to water. Before that, she worked in the European Parliament as a Communications Manager.
Since being in Hong Kong, she has worked as a freelance writer for various publications, start-ups and book editors. She is also a member of the Women in Publishing Society of Hong Kong. Gabriella holds a BSc in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and a Masters in International Affairs & Sustainable Development from Sciences Po Paris.
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"SURVIVING SHOCKWAVES FROM FINANCIAL CRISES AND COVID-19"Speaker: Michael Yong-Haron (LPCUWC 1994), Executive Officer, Managing Director & Head of Hong Kong Market, Standard Chartered Bank
Moderator: Mary Hui (LPCUWC 2012), Journalist, Quartz
Date: 27 July 2020 (Monday)
Time: 6:30PM HKT
About the Topic
Building a career is like running a marathon. To run a good race requires preparation, training, mental and physical discipline. Economies and businesses go through boom and bust cycles. As Keynes would say, “in the long run, we are all dead”, so surviving crises of various forms - economic, financial and now a global pandemic - is critical to staying in the game. Our speaker will share some career advice and what it takes to build resilience. He will cover a wide range of topics from finding your career purpose and mission, creating a competitive advantage, tackling adversity and building the right balance to endure the long road ahead of you.
About the Speaker
Michael is a member of the pioneering LPCUWC Class of 1994. A veteran banker with 23 years of experience, Michael is currently Executive Officer, Managing Director and the Head of Hong Kong Market at Standard Chartered Bank. In addition to his work at Standard Chartered Bank, he has held leadership roles at Royal Bank of Canada, Credit Suisse and Credit Agricole Indosuez. Having weathered major financial crises such as the Asian Financial Crisis, the tech bubble, Y2K crisis, SARS economic crisis, the Global Financial Crisis and the on going COVID-19, he has mastered the art of building resilience in the face of adversity, and finding opportunities in every crisis.
Michael holds an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management and HKUST, and co-founded the Asia Society-Kellogg HKUST leadership series. As a CFA Charterholder, he has been actively serving the CFA Institute at its headquarters in Charlottesville since 2010. He received a joint degree (First Class Honours) in Economics and Law from the University of Wales in the United Kingdom. He is an alumnus of the Diocesan Boys’ School and St. Paul’s Co-educational College in Hong Kong.