Fung Scholars Gala Dinner

About the Event

Written by Gigi AUYEUNG (FS2008-09, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Founded in 2006, the Fung Scholars Programme aims to nurture us, Fung Scholars, future world leaders, through supporting to experience learning, communicating and networking under different cultures and environments early in our career. We consider ourselves a group of young talents with great potential, international outlook who strive to be critical human capital for the continuous progress and betterment of society and economy. Passionate Fung Scholars established local chapters to serve our fellow Fung Scholars regionally, to form close bondings, to initiate meaningful projects and to grow together. We have been actively participating, initiating and organizing events and activities including but not limited to FS Annual Leadership Conferences, Pre-departure gatherings, intellectual sharing sessions and activities, Community services, Christmas parties and casual gatherings.

Finally in this year of 2018, to celebrate and mark the success of the Fung Scholars Programme, the local Chapter Hong Kong Fung Scholars has initiated and organized our first ever Gala Dinner on 5 October 2018 at the Grand Assembly Hall, at YMCA Hong Kong-Salisbury, which is right on the evening before our other big event of Annual Leadership Conference over the following weekend. There were in total of over 150 guests including Fung Scholars from all over the world, Fung Group leadership, Victor and William Fung Foundation management and colleagues, Fung Academy, universities representatives, and friends of FS joined the glamorous dinner, filled with heartwarming speeches, videos, sharing and photo sessions.

Dr. Victor K. FUNG, Chairman of Victor and William Fung Foundation, Honorary Chairman of Li & Fung Limited, Group Chairman of Fung Group, shared that “This is a very important heartwarming moment for me personally. We wanted to make a contribution to the development of future leaders in the world. We think of this as a place where you can maintain friendship and exchange ideas with your peers that have gone thru this program.”

During the panel sharing session, three of our Fung Scholars, Jamie, Mariah and Ken shared about their experience during exchange and gains in personal growth from their involvement with the Foundation and interaction with fellow Fung Scholars. Mariah shared that, “I am especially appreciated that the Foundation has a lot of interesting ideas and also motivations for people to join in and participate.” Jamie shared that, “I realise it wasn’t just about receiving money and writing an essay for a scholarship, but a broader network where everybody is like family and there for each other to grow.” And Ken shared that, “Through this network, through this whole connection, this collective will if I may, it’s sort of open my horizon, open my eyes, like giving me hope, it’s like you can do it.”

Prof Lap-chee TSUI, President of Victor and William Fung Foundation, concluded at the end of the dinner, “I look forward to seeing more activities especially how you are going to return the favour you received from Victor and William, and the Foundation, and how you can pay back to the society.”

As the Chairlady of the Organizing Committee, l have to send my greatest gratitude to my team composed of Kevin Lo, Pamela Wong, Joscelin Yeung, Giselle Yeung, Leo Leung, Hing Wong, Arcturus Tam, who shared with me so many late evening meetings after my day work, sleepless nights of email sending, social media promo and coordination. It was one challenging project, but we have learnt and enjoyed much, especially with all the encouraging positive feedback. I would need to special thank our dear always supportive Tammy for making this happen with us, as we have caused her so much extra work. Last but not least the many more HK-based FSs who rendered on-site support. The first ever Fung Scholars Gala Dinner wouldn’t have happen without you all.