Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Programme 2019 ── featuring Mr. Norman Chan, GBS, JP

CUHK students, alumni, faculty and administrators are all welcome to join the upcoming Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Programme (DARP) featuring alumnus Mr. Norman Chan (Sociology, 1976) in October. Organized by the University, a series of thought-provoking lectures, interactive programmes and classes will be held from 3 to 5 October 2019 (Thursday to Saturday) from where Norman will share his perspectives on a range of topics from business to life.

Programme Rundown

• 3 October 2019 (Thursday)

  Opening Ceremony cum Keynote Speech —“Crossroads in Life (English)

  • Time: 5:00pm－6:30pm
  • Venue: LT2, Yasumoto International Academic Park (YIA)
  • Summary: When a single decision can adequately affect Hong Kong or even the international society, how can such enormous pressure be endured? In this session, Norman will look back at his career path, from being an Administrative Officer at the government after graduation to being a Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and share how he tackled the crisis and challenges encountered during his career journey, such as the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, the outbreak of SARS in 2003 and the Global Financial Crisis in 2008, together with the tips when facing the crossroads in life.

  Night Talk @ Ming Hua Tang (Cantonese)

  • Time: 8:00pm－9:30pm
  • Venue: Ming Hua Tang, Chung Chu College
  • Summary: Norman will return to Ming Hua Tang of Chung Chi College, the residential hall he stayed during his studies in CU, and have a causal evening gathering with members of CU. He will share stories about his early life at campus, and how the alma mater’s unique culture and whole-person education shaped his personal and professional development.

• 4 October 2019 (Friday)

  Master Class: “FinTech—the Innovation and Challenges on the Financial Sector” (English)

  • Time: 10:30am－11:30am
  • Venue: Lecture, William MW Mong Engineering Building
  • Summary: In a lecture setting, Norman will share his insights about FinTech and examine the subject in a macro perspective, covering topics such as the disruptive impacts of FinTech on the landscape of the financial sector, the correlation between technology and finance, as well as the challenges and opportunities for FinTech. The latest development of Smart Banking in Hong Kong will also be illustrated.

  Basketball Friendly Match with Staff, Students and Alumni (Cantonese)

  • Time: 3:00pm－4:00pm
  • Venue: CUHK Gymnasium
  • Summary: Playing basketball helps strengthen one’s perseverance and physique, and also encourages team work and unity. In this session, Norman will join other fellow alumni of different generations to form the ‘CU Alumni Team’ and participate in a basketball friendly match with the ‘CU Staff and Student Team’.

  Business Lecture Series–“It Works for Me: Life Lessons from Norman Chan” (English)

  • Time: 6:30pm－8:00pm
  • Venue: LT1, Cheng Yu Tung Building (CYT)
  • Summary: Norman will share life stories and lessons he learned at work and university. He will discuss some rules and habits that work for him, say in job hunting, career development, goal setting, delivery and execution. The dialogue will be followed by a Q&A session for students.

• 5 October 2019（Saturday）

  Keynote Speech — “Hong Kong: International Financial Centre and Future Prospects”cum Closing Ceremony (Cantonese)

  • Time: 11:00am－12:30pm
  • Venue: LT3, Yasumoto International Academic Park (YIA)
  • Summary: Norman will discuss Hong Kong’s longstanding strategic position as the gateway of China. He will explain how Hong Kong has greatly contributed to China’s opening up and how Hong Kong has along this path developed into an international trading hub and international financial centre. He will then highlight new developments and opportunities for Hong Kong’s finance industry including smart banking and green financing.

About Mr. Norman CHAN, GBS, JP

Mr. Norman Chan was appointed Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on 1 October 2009. Mr. Chan joined the Hong Kong Government as an Administrative Officer in 1976 and became Deputy Director (Monetary Management) of the Office of the Exchange Fund in 1991. He was appointed an Executive Director of the HKMA when it was established in 1993. From 1996 to 2005, Mr. Chan served as Deputy Chief Executive of the HKMA. During his 12 years with the HKMA, Mr. Chan steered a number of major financial policies and initiatives, including the development of Hong Kong’s financial infrastructure, the introduction of renminbi banking services in Hong Kong and the financial co-operation among central banks in the Asian region. He played a key role in the Government market operations in 1998 that helped maintain the stability of Hong Kong’s financial system. From December 2005 to June 2007, Mr Chan was Vice Chairman, Asia of Standard Chartered Bank. Prior to rejoining the HKMA, Mr Chan was Director of the Chief Executive’s Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government from July 2007 to July 2009. He was the Founding Chairman of the policy think tank, the Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre established in 2006.

About DARP

The Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence Programme (DARP) is a new initiative launched by CUHK in 2018. This programme provides a precious opportunity for the University’s outstanding alumni to return to alma mater to share their knowledge, expertise and insight with students, alumni (particularly young alumni), faculty and administrators. Each year, one or two distinguished alumni, either based locally or across the globe, will be invited to return to campus for three to five days and host a series of activities related to their fields and professions, such as master classes, seminars, sharing, social gatherings and outreach activities. Through this programme, the invited alumni can join the alma mater to continue to live the mission and vision of the University by inspiring the CUHK community in various aspects and enriching the intellectual atmosphere as well as the learning experience in the campus. This new initiative also helps serve to strengthen the bonding among members of the CUHK family.