Celebrating our friends in Shanghai places
International alumni summit enhances global partnership and collaboration with support from Dr Vincent Lo.
In June 2019, UNSW hosted an international summit to embrace worldwide collaboration, with generous support from Dr Vincent Hong Sui Lo (HonDBus ’13), Chairman of Hong Kong-based Shui On Group and UNSW Hong Kong Foundation Director.
The Shanghai Alumni Summit 2019: Our Global Future saw UNSW’s global community of alumni and friends gather at The Langham Shanghai Xintiandi, which is located in an area of the city constructed by the Shui On Group. This dynamic one-day conference demonstrated how experts in the UNSW community are embracing international collaboration to tackle burgeoning global issues.
This was the second consecutive alumni summit to occur in Asia after the Hong Kong Summit 2018: The Future of Asia, at which Dr Lo also delivered a keynote address.
Dr Lo’s experience at the Hong Kong Summit inspired him to leave a gift to UNSW in support of a 2019 event in Shanghai, themed around global collaboration and partnerships. Dr Lo has also philanthropically supported scholarships at UNSW, as well as education and research around future cities within UNSW Built Environment.
My motivation for supporting the Shanghai Summit was to create an occasion and opportunity for alumni and the University faculty, researchers and partners to meet up and interact… I was very moved by the atmosphere of the Summit and in seeing the enthusiastic participation
“My support for UNSW Built Environment is because I believe our world is facing major changes in the way we live, work and play. It is important to research what the future holds so that we can better prepare ourselves for the changes coming our way.”
The Shanghai Summit attracted more than 300 participants from Asia, the UK, the US and Australia who heard from a range of prominent UNSW representatives across the alumni, academic and donor communities.
With a program tailored around the future of education, employment, economies, cities and the environment, the day saw a range of global thought leaders discuss how they are spearheading new, more cross-national approaches to tackling the world’s most complex challenges.
These global experts shared insights and led core discussions as part of panels, roundtables and keynotes. The addition of roundtable activities and Q&A sessions saw attendees converse with UNSW Deans, Pro Vice-Chancellors and leading academics to explore new and unique solutions for global collaboration.
Dr Lo presented a thought-provoking keynote address on the challenges of an ever-evolving international landscape. As a highly respected business leader with strong experience in transnational operations, Dr Lo unpacked why a truly global future must factor in the growing prevalence of new technologies, the complexities of trade agreements, and the inevitable downturns in our financial markets.
It is important that we all give support to our alma mater, to help its future growth and development, as we from industry can offer our perspective on the economy and society, as well as our assistance where necessary
“In the 70th anniversary year for both UNSW and the People’s Republic of China, we were delighted to bring this Summit to Shanghai,” says Jane Miller, UNSW’s Senior Director, Alumni & Engagement.
“It’s fantastic to have had this opportunity to engage with our alumni based in China and around the world, and hear from some of the University’s inspiring thought leaders as they led us in conversation about the importance of a global future.”
