Connection

Christmas Celebration Party on 13 December 2009

2009-12-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, "Iowa" All the Way… Yes!!! It was the first Christmas celebration party with The University of Iowa MBA alumni and friends in Hong Kong.. … They enjoyed the Christmas dinner at the Golden Gate Wine Bay in Causeway Bay which was run by intake 6 student, Mr David Wong. It was a very enjoyable atmosphere and encouraging to see so many new friends and alumni (more than 20). David Wong was a very attentive host ensuring everyone had drinks and buffet served. Everyone was soon busy with celebrating and socializing with each others. We need to bring a gift of value about HK$50 for the X'mas gift exchange in the party. I brought cookies into the party, and my swapping gift was a nice 2010 Wonders of the World Calendar. Wow, let's see...I haven't seen many pretty nice places yet!

Finally, a big “thank you” to David and his mom who were very attentive and worked hard to accommodate everyone’s needs. It was a very enjoyable, fun Christmas celebration…thanks to everyone who made it possible.

Wishing you all a very sweet Christmas and happy NewYear!

Iowa Alumni Spring Happy Hour Party and Casual Dinner Gathering

2009-03-08T01:14:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone who came down to our first Iowa Alumnus and friends’ Happy Hour Party + Casual Dinner Gathering at Madison’s Restaurant and Bar in Central on 6 March 2009! Although the weather was really bad and the rain poured down on Thursday’s evening, fortunately the weather was fine and improved on Friday. Indeed, it was a wonderful Friday’s evening with lots of fun, chatting and of course drinks!

The Happy Hour party was attended by many Iowa alumnus (intakes 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6) and friends from other universities’ MBA alums (University of London, Chinese University of Hong Kong and South Australia). There were about 18 out of 20 people turned up on this meaningful evening (2 persons are unable to attend due to work commitment), and had a great time chatting, getting to know each other and experience sharing during the speed-networking. As everyone enjoyed the happy hour session, the dinner start time was a bit delayed to 8:30pm. During the dinner, some of our alums proposed to hold BBQ dinner, Hiking, Summer Boat Trip, and many more.

This gathering served as a way for alumni to reconnect with other fellows and friends, and we hope everyone could continuously support alums activities so that we could continue to hold any events in the near future. So, please stay tuned to this blog.

For those who have missed out, here are some pictures of the evening, or click HERE to view the slideshow of picture gallery.

Spring Happy Hour Drink Party

2009-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Socialize, network and just have fun with your fellow

You're invited to our Alumni and Friends Happy Hour Party. Connect with local Henry Tippie MBA and other UK universities’ MBA alums and their friends.

There will be a mini speed-networking activity and followed by a group dinner, so please bring your business cards. Admission is free with cash bar.

Date & Time: (Friday) 6 March 2009 @6:30pm

Venue: Madison's Restaurant & Bar - G/F, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong (MTR Central Station Exit J3)
http://www.madisonshk.com/
Tel: 2523 4772

Dinner Venue: To be confirmed

Registration: If you would like to attend the happy hour party, please send your details (i.e. Name, Total No. of guests, Contact Number & Email Address) by email either to Carol or Edith.

Questions? Email Ms Carol Chan at carolchan8@gmail,com or Ms Edith Fung at edithphonehome@hotmail.com.

Farewell Dinner with US MBA students

2009-01-16T04:11:00.000-08:00

We bade US students farewell yesterday for their last day of China/Hong Kong study program, and joined dinner with them at Watermark which is a harbour-front restaurant at Central Pier no. 7 with a stunning view of Victoria Harbour. We took a coach together at L'Hotel CWB Harbourview Hotel at 7:00pm and then transferred to Pier no. 7. There were 3 long tables for 38-40 persons. We had great conversation about the Iowa campus, career prospects, experience sharing and networking. We were also happy to learn that, despite the recent weak economy in US, the majority of our Iowa full-time MBA students would graduate in May this year but already got job offers from the big firms, such as AEGON, United Airlines, Johnson and Johnson and many more. Everyone enjoyed the dinner. Yeah! The foods were great, especially the steak was so declicious but the portion was small. After dinner, we went to Stormies Bar at LKF for drinks and spent an enjoyable evening till mid-night.

Here are the pictures:-

And, Mr Michael Tomasik, Restaurant Manager of Watermark (picture below) mentioned the restaurant will provide a special offer for all Iowa alumus to have dining at Watermark. If you would like to make a table reservation with this fining dining restaurant, please contact Michael Tomasik (T: 21677251, email: michaelt@igors.com) and remember to quote "The University of Iowa, MBA Alumnus"!

For the activity pictures, please go to the following link:-

Picasaweb - Picture Slideshow
http://picasaweb.google.com.hk/carolchan8/FarewellDinnerWithUSMBAStudents?feat=email#slideshow

Guest Speaker's Seminar to Iowa US Students at HKGCC

2009-01-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

I attended one of the seminar sessions with Iowa US students at Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, 10 January 2009. This seminar was presented by guest speaker, Mr James E. THOMPSON, GBS, the Founder and Chairman of the Crown Worldwide Group and former Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong for 2002 and 2003.

In his presentation, Mr Thompson introduced a bit about his background, education, career history and achievement. Mr. Thompson is an American native who has lived in Hong Kong for 25 years. He received his education in the US and graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. He came to Asia shortly after completion of his university studies and has lived in Japan and Hong Kong ever since. In 1965, he founded the Crown Worldwide Group in Japan. He moved the worldwide headquarters to Hong Kong in 1975.

Crown Worldwide is a leader in mobility management, relocations, records management and logistics services throughout the world. A privately-held company established in 1965, with global headquarters in Hong Kong, the company operates over 200 locations in 50 countries, serving governments, corporations, diplomats and private customers. Today the company is a leader in international relocations, records management and logistics servicing over 7,000 multinational companies around the world. The Crown Worldwide Group employs over 4,000 full time staff around the world as well as a large number of contracted personnel.

Mr. Thompson is the only American in the GBS awards history to be recognized with the Gold Bauhinia Star. He was chosen for his distinguished contributions in fostering close economic and business ties between the United States and Hong Kong and for his continued efforts in promoting investment in Hong Kong.

Report on Networking Dinner with Iowa US Students

2009-01-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

The networking dinner with Iowa US MBA students was held on an enjoyable evening on 9th January 2009. The dinner at Lei Yue Mun was a big success. There were 3 tables of MBA students from US & HK and alumnus, including 2 Iowa faculty staff, Professor Frank C. Rydzewski, Faculty Lecturer of International Management program and Ms Colleen M Downie, Assistant Dean of Full Time MBA program.

We also met a nice folk from Iowa alumnus, Mr Timothy Curl, who was just relocated to Hong Kong five months ago and now working for Morgan Stanley. Tim was invited by his US MBA friend who also joined the HK/China study program.

Professor Rydzewski made a toss to everyone to kick off the dinner. As this was the first day of their busy China/HK program, they were all excited about Hong Kong and Chinese foods, culture and peoples. There was some great conversation about seafood, Tippie Hong Kong MBA program, topics about US, blogging and networking.

The first dish was poached live sea shrimps. Some of the US students were unsure if they could use their bare hands to eat the shrimps. I told them to use their bare hands to have the shrimps as it was just a casual seafood dinner. Amazingly, most of the US students could use chopsticks skillfully and I was told that they practiced it for several times before coming to Hong Kong! It was a delicious dinner as the seafood was so fresh. The dishes included shrimps, garoupa, streamed scallops, lobster, streamed abalone, Crab and vegetables, and many more. For those who was unable to join us, we really wish you were there!

I tried to pick up some good pictures during the dinner, and you can see some pictures in this report.

We took a group picture at the entrance to Lei Yue Mun seafood village after dinner.

Want to view more pictures?

PicasaWeb - Gallery Slideshow
http://picasaweb.google.com/carolchan8/SnapshotsOfIowaMBANetworkingDinner?feat=email#slideshow

Networking Dinner with Iowa MBA US Students

2008-12-07T06:25:00.000-08:00

It's time for networking with US Iowa MBA students and to celebrate the new year of 2009!

As you know, Iowa MBA students will be coming to Hong Kong attending class in January soon. We will be organizing a seafood dinner gathering at Happiness Harbour Restaurant in Lei Yue Mun on Friday, 9 January 2009.

Due to the limited room capacity, we will only have ~10 seatings available for Hong Kong students which will be on the basis of first-come, first-served. The cost is about HK$300-350 per person. Please fill out the reply form and submit it online no later than 28 December 2008 from the following site:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pfiz0VJ6ssddmPtQegEj7PQ

The location

Happiness Harbour Restaurant is facing the east area of Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. At sunset, you may appreciate a scene of rosy clouds all over the sky here. At night, you will be enchanted with the view of Victoria Harbour here when you taste your good wine and slap-up feed.

Happiness Harbour Restaurant

No. 53A Hoi Pong Road C., Lei Yue Mun, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: 2340-1998 , Fax: 2340-9992

The transportation to Lei Yue Mun

On Foot
(1) It just takes you 8 to 12 mins to walk from Yau Tong MTR Station to Lei Yue Mun.
(2) It just takes you 5 to 8mins to walk from Yau Tong Bus Station to Lei Yue Mun.
(3) It just takes you 10 to 15mins to walk from Yau Tong Lee Yue Mun Plaza to Lei Yue Mun.

Ferry
(Sai Wan Ho - Sam Ka Tsuen 三家村)
Operator: Coral Sea Ferry Service Company Limited
Boarding location: Sai Wan Ho: Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier at Tai Hong Street
Sam Ka Tsuen: Sam Ka Tsuen Ferry Pier at Shung Shun Street
You can take MTR to Sai Wan Ho Station, then take a ferry ride at Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier.
Fee﹕Adult $HK4.80；Children $HK2.40. The journey takes about 7 minutes. Frequency of Ferry is every 24-30 minutes and ferry service hour is from 6:15am - ~11:30pm.

Mini Bus
(1) You can get MTR to Kwun Tong Station, then take mini-bus at Hip Wo Street.
(2) You can get MTR to Lam Tin Station, then take Maxicab No. 24 at bus concourse.

Car Park
You may drive and carpark in the following areas in Lei Yue Mun:-
(1) Lei Yue Mun Government Admin Building Car Park
(2) There are 5 big public car parks at the entrance of the village.

DINNER MENU For Friday, 9 January 2009
* * * * *
Poached live sea shrimps 白灼生海蝦
Garoupa in two dishes石斑雙味
(i) Sautéed Garoupa Fillets with vegetables. 翡翠斑球
(ii) Braised Garoupa Head and Brisket with spareribs aroupa in Brown Sauce 斑頭腩炆排骨
Steamed scallops with garlic and glass noodle 蒜蓉銀絲蒸扇貝
Stir-fried lobster in cheese sauce with“E-Fu”noodles 芝士焗龍蝦伊麵
Steamed Abalone with with Dried Mandarin Orange Peels果皮蒸鮮鮑魚
Sauteed Crab with Ginger and Scallion 薑蔥焗肉蟹
Seafood and Tofu with Diced Papaya Soup 海鮮豆腐木瓜湯
Braised Seasonal Vegetables in Fish Broth 魚湯浸時蔬
Fried rice in “Yangzhou” style 揚州炒飯
Sesame Glutinous Cake 芝麻桂花糕
Fresh Seasonal fruit platter 鮮果拼盤

* * * * *
HK$3,600 per table
inclusive of 10% service charges and Chinese tea.
(exclude beverages)

The party will be held on Friday, 9th January 2009, from 6:30pm - 10:30pm. Please come and join us. We hope you can make it! For enquiries, please contact Carol Chan by email to carolchan8@gmail.com for further details.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tippie Hong Kong MBA Commencement 2008

2008-11-23T19:34:00.000-08:00

Finally, I graduated on Sunday, 23 November 2009. This is the fifth congregation for the conferment of degrees by Henry Tippie School of Management of UI, MBA Graduation Ceremony 2008 in Hong Kong. The ceremony was held at the Conrad Hotel. A full page commencement announcement was posted on Hong Kong Economic Times (經濟日報) on Friday, 21 Nov., 2008, and I received one copy of the newspaper on the commencement day.

After wearing the cap, gown, hood, Lotus passed a very nice tassel to me which was specially designed for 2008 graduates of The University of Iowa. We took several group photos and networking with classmates, then the ceremony promptly commenced at 11:00am. We entered the hall in alphabetical order and are seated in alphabetical order. Professor Jay Sa-Aadu , Associate Dean of the Henry Tippie College of Business gave a welcome speech. The keynote address was delivered by Ms Alice Law, Senior Director of The Securities and Futures Commission.

For the presentation of graduates, we would come to the front of the stage and line up in an alphabetical order. When my name is called, I walked to the stage from left to center and shaked hands with Alice Law and continued across the stage to receive my diploma from Associate Dean, Prof. Sa-Aadu. I have my posed graduation photo taken there, then recessed from the right of the stage and returned to my seat. After the conferral of degrees, Graduate's speech is given by our classmate, Ms Farica Lam. Followed the student presentations, the outstanding student award was given to the best students who earned a GPA 4.0. The prizes were given to Ms Farica Lam, Ms Iris Fung and Mr Jeffrey Lee. The ceremony lasted for one hour. UI hired one professional photographer and one cameraman and interviewed with each graduate to give the feedback about the MBA program. I was told that each graduate will be given a disc of all graduation photos and video later to retain a sweet memory.

Following the ceremony, a congratulatory lunch was arranged for the graduates and their families. The lunch included an entree, a main course, dessert and tea. I took additional photos with the guest and classmates. When I left the hotel, I was tired because of the tight schedules in the past weeks in preparing for final exam, projects, taking graduation photos at the studio and graduation ceremony, and so on.

MBA students to meet with Warren Buffett

2008-10-19T00:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.news-releases.uiowa.edu/2008/october/101308buffett_meeting.html