Programme wraps up hard work of brothers asunder in adversity with new year's wishes

2020.12.20

Queen's College Old Boys' Association (QCOBA) today (December 20) launched its 2020 year-end programme, Brothers Asunder, on this day marking the 100th anniversary of its first General Meeting upon establishment and the winter solstice's eve. It reviews the hard work of Old Boys sailing against headwinds with peers as well as in their careers and services to the alma mater and community this year, coupled with new year's wishes, to tie in with the theme of QCOBA Centenary "Serving QC family, our centenary duty". The Student Council assisted in the production.

The Honorary President and Dean of Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and Senior Vice President (Health and Life Sciences) of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (designate), Prof Joseph SUNG Jao-yiu, first expressed his gratitude to teachers, students and janitors in the programme. "Every teacher and janitor had a hard time while cleaning the campus or under the many arrangements, which sometimes arise all of a sudden, putting burden and stress on the entire staff team. Yet, we are glad QC remains outstanding as our boys and graduates continued to attain superb achievements in academics and careers. The never-ending poem of top scorers for two to three decades made us proud. As Old Boys, we will keep up the support for all of you," he said.

Prior to his departure to Singapore for the new job in March 2021, Prof SUNG took the opportunity to share with brothers why he accepted it. "I am very excited by the opportunity to be engaged in medical education and research again in the possibly final chapter of my career. It is a brand new experience for me to connect Singapore and Hong Kong in education and medical advancements, definitely not about emigration," he added. He hoped that QCOBA could "converge more alumni enthusiastic in serving the alma mater to pass the torch onto the next generation. Let's keep a global vision and show the QC spirit across the world and professions."

Eight Honorary Advisers offered their reflections. Among them, the former Assistant Principal, Mr Sunny LEUNG Wai-shun, gave an introduction on QCOBA's establishment and significance through past issues of The Yellow Dragon. He said that Old Boys, QC and QC boys share the same fate and he looked forward to QCOBA's work on maintaining imagination and innovation. The Vice President of the Hong Kong Medical Association, Dr CHENG Chi-man, highlighted the "safety net" built upon alumni reunion in adversities and unveiled the links among the popular melody "For a Bright Future", School Song and QCOBA. The Commissioner for Sports of the Home Affairs Bureau, Mr YEUNG Tak-keung, appealed to Old Boys for more support for brothers serving in the healthcare sector and close liaison with friends and relatives. The former Assistant Director of Broadcasting, Mr CHAN Yiu-wah, concluded his thoughts and affection for Hong Kong in the bumpy year in a few lines from the African American poet, Langston Hughes.

In the programme, the Founder of Principal Chan Free Tutorial World, Mr CHAN Hung, thanked alumni who provided assistance to his organisation which raised over $2 million for donating e-learning equipment to grassroots pupils, giving full play to the QC spirit. The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, Mr CHUA Hoi-wai, recommended QCOBA to enhance support for grassroots juniors to give back to the alma mater and community. The Founder and Director of Jervois One (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr Julian LAW Wing-chung, filled the programme with fun arising from organising reunion marking 25th anniversary upon graduation. He also commended Prof YUEN Kwok-yung for the QC virtue he displayed in every site investigation into outbreaks.

The Chair of Infectious Diseases of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, Prof YUEN Kwok-yung, repeated his appeal to Old Boys to avoid gatherings to prevent the emergence of "elite school clusters" and attached his encouragement to QC boys. "Serving QC family is certainly Old Boys' duty. While ascending the social ladder, serving Hong Kong is also part of our responsibility. We should not only aspire to be an outstanding school in Hong Kong, but also the role model of Hong Kong people."

The Principal, Ms Yvetta Ruth LEUNG, showed her appreciation to Old Boys from all walks of life for their support. Old Boys are invited to note the 160th anniversary in 2022, aiming to foster the sense of belonging of every member of the QC family. Preparations will commence in 2021. The Vice President for Membership, Mr James WONG Pong-chun, sent our gratitude to Advisers and alumni on behalf of the Executive Committee (ExCom). The year-end programme ends on a high note in the School Song with members of the ExCom and choir in unison.

QCOBA convened the founding and first General Meeting on December 20, 1920 and today marked its 100th anniversary. The year-end programme not only brings Old Boys back to campus to share words of wisdom as we used to at Annual Dinners, but also marks the opening of Centenary events in 2021.

The year-end programme can be reviewed at QCOBA's website (www.qcoba.hk) and its YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/qcobahk). We wish you a healthy, merry and happy winter solstice, Christmas and New Year.

Queen's College Old Boys' Association
December 20, 2020