On January 22, BCIT alumni and corporate executives celebrated the launch of the BCIT Alumni Association’s (BCITAA) Hong Kong alumni chapter. The chapter will connect alumni and support BCIT’s extensive international activities in the region, including China and Vietnam.
“This is an historic day for the BCIT Alumni Association, establishing our first international alumni chapter as we celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2019,” said BCITAA President Emil Bosnjak. “Our alumni are everywhere, in every sector, making vital contributions to the economy, with far-reaching impact across the globe. This new Hong Kong chapter will provide opportunities for alumni to connect with each other and with BCIT.”
BCIT alumni now number more than 180,000, with 9,500 living abroad in more than 90 countries around the world. Hundreds are in Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong is a strategically important market for both BCIT and the alumni association, and we are very pleased to establish a presence on the Pacific Rim,” said BCIT Vice President, Advancement, Paul McCullough. “With a BCIT alumni chapter in Hong Kong, BCIT can identify opportunities, and gain traction for alumni engagement and wider institutional activities in the region.”
“Congratulations on the establishment of BCIT Hong Kong alumni chapter and the alumni association’s 40th anniversary,” said Consul General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao, Jeff Nankivell. “You are de facto ambassadors of Canada in Hong Kong. The knowledge you share and connections you build provide the foundation for Canada-Hong Kong relationships. The Consulate General cherishes our close partnership with BCIT and the BCIT Hong Kong alumni chapter, and looks forward to further strengthening our people-to-people, cultural and educational ties and promoting Canadian values in Hong Kong.”
The BCIT Alumni Association has appointed Darren Plested as BCIT Hong Kong alumni ambassador to lead this initiative. A 1994 graduate of BCIT’s engineering technology program, Plested is the head of business development and innovation at Infiniti’s global head office. He has lived and worked in Hong Kong for nearly two decades.
“I look forward to building the BCIT alumni chapter here in Hong Kong, and leveraging the expertise I have in Asia to provide opportunities and connections for BCIT and BCIT alumni in the region,” said Plested.
The launch event was hosted at KPMG Hong Kong, Prince’s Building, followed by a celebration lunch at The Hong Kong Club.
For more information about the BCIT Alumni chapter in Hong Kong, visit bcit.ca/hongkong. View the album of event photos at BCIT’s Flickr.
Photo caption above, cutting the ribbon L to R: Dr. Lawrence Gu, Dean, BCIT International; Leslie Courchesne, Executive Director, BCIT Alumni Association; Jeff Nankivell, Consul General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao; Emil Bosnjak, President, BCIT Alumni Association; Brad Kirk, COO Harilela Hotels and BCIT Distinguished Alumnus 2017; Paul McCullough, BCIT Vice President Advancement; Darren Plested, BCIT Hong Kong Alumni Ambassador. Below L to R: Emil Bosnjak, Jeff Nankivell, Paul McCullough.
