Taking an example from their counterparts in the United States, the alumni of CityU are expected to play a bigger role in the direction of the university in future years. In its relatively short history, CityU has produced about 32,000 graduates, many of whom have gone on to become local business leaders, and the university is hoping they will become more active in fund raising and policy-making decisions. Professor Wong Yuk-shan, CityU's vice-president of institutional advancement, said the alumni are relatively young, the oldest averaging 32 years, but their experience in the 'outside world' could still make a difference towards the development of undergraduates and the future direction of the university. 'In Hong Kong, we were one of the first universities to set up a position for institutional advancement three years ago. We did it not because we are counting on financial help from our alumni at this point, but because we are working for 50 years later,' he said. 'We are trying to learn from the US where graduates play an active role in the activities and direction of the school. We are setting up a [fund raising] programme for our alumni to support the university and even if everyone gave $500, the amount would be significant. So far, the results have been encouraging.' The university is seeking funding for its student dormitory project. Starting this year, CityU will begin construction of housing for 800 students which is expected to be completed by 2001. Eventually it would like to have dormitory housing for 3,500. The Government has pledged $300 million towards the $400 million project with additional funding coming from the Jockey Club ($50 million) and HSBC ($15 million). Professor Wong said the additional accommodation would allow the school to sig nificantly increase academic exchanges. At present, it has on-campus housing for about 90 people. 'Academic exchange means conducting joint-research and providing exchange student programmes. Internationalisation and globalisation is very important and we don't think the university should be seen as an ivory tower,' he said. 'We think there is a need for Hong Kong students to broaden their horizons. We find that even if a student goes away for just three months, when they come back, their language ability has improved and they are more confident. It is the same for mainland students who come here.' To help realise its exchange aspirations, CityU has established agreements with 25 overseas institutes and 32 in mainland China. At present, 54 exchange students from eight countries, including 19 from the mainland, are studying there. 'Many of these students are from Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai and when they go back to their homes, they want to maintain contact with CityU. To help achieve this we publish a magazine, CityU Link, in Chinese and we are in the process of creating an alumni network for the mainland,' Professor Wong said. 'The alumni magazine has been a big success.' Al Campbell
