Following on from the success of our inaugural visit to Hong Kong in 2013, University of the Arts London’s Development and Alumni Relations team were delighted to have the opportunity to visit the dazzling metropolis once again to host the second UAL Alumni & Friends Reception. Thanks to generous support from Mr Adrian Cheng, New World Group Charity Foundation and the K11 Art Foundation, we were able to start this year’s visit to the Far East with a trip also to Shanghai for our first major event in this important city.
Alumni, students, staff, prospective students and friends were all invited to these very special evenings which saw the opportunity to learn (thanks to workshops throughout the day run by Student Recruitment and SEE), meet new friends and academics, network with industry professionals, find out more about our international alumni network and hear the latest news from across UAL.
Activities kicked off on the 25th April in Shanghai’s chi K11 Art Space. Over 200 guests descended on the gallery and were welcomed by the evening’s hosts, UAL Pro Vice-Chancellors Professor Chris Wainwright (CCW), Professor Frances Corner OBE (LCF) and Natalie Brett (LCC). Guests were treated to exclusive tours around the current exhibition Master of Impressionism- Claude Monet, the first exhibition of the painter’s work in China.
The evening celebrated the launch of UAL’s official Shanghai Alumni Association, to be led by London College of Communication alumnus, Oliver Pearce. Oliver has been doing a brilliant job over the last couple of years uniting alumni based in Shanghai and we hope the official announcement of this important group will further enhance the local network and strengthen links between the University and Shanghai.
We were honoured to have Sir Martin Davidson KCMG, Chief Executive of the British Council join alumni and UAL’s senior delegation for the evening.
“Meeting graduates and finding out about the many different paths they have taken since studying with us is one of the great delights of working at the University” – Chris Wainwright, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Camberwell, Chelsea, Wimbledon)
On the following Monday the team headed straight to Hong Kong to reunite with local alumni and contacts made the previous year. Again, we were delighted to welcome 200 guests at the glamorous Hyatt Regency Grand Ballroom and celebrate successes from the past 12 months. Guests included; Thomas Heatherwick (celebrated designer), Harold Tillman CBE (former Chair of the British Fashion Council, alumnus and supporter of UAL), Mr Adrian Cheng (internationally renowned arts patron and supporter of UAL) and Kai-Yin Lo (prominent jewellery designer).
Jeremy Till, UAL Pro Vice-Chancellor (CSM) took to the stage to thank the generosity of Mr Adrian Cheng, New World Group Charity Foundation and K11 Art Foundation, who once again sponsored both the Shanghai and Hong Kong receptions. Mr Cheng is an incredible supporter of UAL and a global ambassador for art and culture. His kindness continues through his scholarships support and various student projects across UAL. Jeremy remarked “The opportunities he is opening up are wonderful for the students themselves but also for China, whose economic competitiveness will be enhanced by these highly educated and highly talented young people”
Jeremy also gave a special thanks LCF graduate Veronica De Homersley, our Hong Kong Alumni Association leader. Veronica’s progress since the group’s establishment 12 months ago has been outstanding. The Association has a fully functioning committee filled with wonderfully inspiring alumni and a programme of local events has already taken place, with more in the diary. UAL’s Director of Development & Alumni Relations, Karen Doyle, commented “We are delighted to be here once again to see old friends and new. We hope this return shows how important we consider the region and the fantastic work being carried out by the Hong Kong Alumni Association”
For more information on UAL’s Alumni Association, please visit our website or contact the team.
More photos from both events can be found via our Facebook page.
g.tibbott@arts.ac.uk
Development and Alumni Relations