HKUST Annual Report 2021-2022

33 HKUST Annual Report 2021-2022 Connecting People and Communities PRESERVING AND SHARING HONG KONG’S HERITAGE HKUST’s South China Research Center continued to introduce students and members of the community to the history and traditional culture of Hong Kong and conduct training sessions for others to learn to share such knowledge. Events took place throughout the year, ranging from docent tour training and student heritage services (Sept 2021-Feb 2022, 90 days/180 service-learning sessions) for Yimtintsai Village in Sai Kung, in the vicinity of the Clear Water Bay campus, to demonstration talks on local fisherfolk’s ballads and heritage field trips to Tai O on Lantau Island. ALUMNI PACEMAKERS Supporting Peers and the Next Generation A new online program was introduced to the HKUST United alumni networking community to engage, find mentors, connect with like-minded individuals, post events and job openings, as well as promote business and services offered by HKUST entrepreneurs. The HKUST United initiative was launched in 2020 to support students and fresh graduates during COVID-19 by opening up opportunities to leverage the University’s worldwide alumni network. Strengthening Bonds Helping to drive stronger alumni engagement, in- person events and programs started to resume over the year among HKUST alumni groups in Hong Kong, the Mainland, and internationally in periods when pandemic restrictions allowed such activities to take place. In August 2021, alumni and students congregated at Hong Kong Science Park for an Alumni Entrepreneurs Gathering. Participants were able to learn about the latest entrepreneur-related developments, showcase their products and services, and network with each other. In addition, the alumni app was enhanced to allow alumni entrepreneurs to connect with fellow graduates. In other resilience-focused activities, HKUST Convocation put together a care pack to encourage students’ positivity and well-being in recognition of the stress and other challenges that students have faced since the start of the pandemic.