International Huskies
UW Converge Hong Kong Celebrates a Decade of Global Impact
The premier gathering of the University of Washington’s global community marked its 10th anniversary in Hong Kong
UW Converge Hong Kong Summit
UW President Ana Mari Cauce and Hong Kong Huskies President Lui Tong, '90, ring in the summit
For more photos, visit the Hong Kong Huskies photo album (external link)
During an exciting weekend in late August, nearly 200 people participated in UW Converge events in Hong Kong. The events brought together Husky alumni, UW supporters and members of the public to connect across borders, learn from experts and celebrate Husky Spirit.
For a decade, the annual UW Converge event series has been the cornerstone of the University of Washington’s global engagement. Since its inaugural event in Shanghai in 2015, UW Converge has traveled across Asia. There were two virtual events during the coronavirus pandemic and a return to in-person gatherings in Seattle. Last year saw the UW return to Asia for UW Converge Jakarta and this year it celebrated its 10th anniversary in Hong Kong. At each stop, it has established deep connections and fostered a global community.
The UW Converge Hong Kong Summit commenced with a keynote from UW President Ana Mari Cauce. She welcomed the audience and thanked the Hong Kong Huskies for all the hard work that went into hosting UW Converge. She spoke passionately about the University of Washington’s global influence and its commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges.
“Part of how we create global impact is by preparing students to become the next generation of leaders, innovators and change-makers,” she said. President Cauce highlighted the need for a new generation who are equipped to listen to different perspectives, find compromise and work with others. “…learning across our differences also fosters the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration and problem solving that fuel what we call our impact ecosystem.” She described the impact ecosystem as a rewiring of the UW that allows the University to better pilot and scale applied research programs where they can make the biggest difference. She also emphasized that it was “extra meaningful” to join UW Converge this year because it would be her last time attending as president of the UW.
UW Converge Hong Kong Gala
After the summit, the fun kicked off and the photo-ops got even more festive
President Cauce’s keynote was followed by panels built around the theme of “Global Perspectives on Navigating Changes in Commerce, Tech and Culture.” The discussions were wide ranging, covering topics from mental health in digital spaces to Hong Kong’s unique position as a crossroads of global culture.
Summit attendees heard from campus leaders including Xuan-Thao Nguyen, the director of the UW Asian Law Center, Jihui Yang, the vice dean of the College of Engineering, and Frank Hodge, the dean of the Foster School. The lineup of speakers also boasted distinguished alumni including Brian Gu, ’97, the president of electric vehicle manufacture XPENG, Eden Woon, ’71, the president of AmCham Hong Kong, Emily Wong, ’02, the Chief Executive Officer of Integrity Healing and many, many more.
During the break, attendees had the chance to visit the Startup Showcase. It featured an exciting collection of companies in Hong Kong with Husky ties. TalentAI, Qunfa, Robocore, Kiip and Eximpe all showcased their innovative approaches to robotics, finance and more.
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UW Converge Hong Kong also offered plenty of opportunities for celebration and connection. A tour of the city’s landmarks provided attendees with a glimpse of Hong Kong’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. Pre-summit events offered attendees the chance to network around specific interests and professions. The UW Converge Gala followed the summit and showcased the best of Hong Kong’s hospitality, with a traditional Chinese banquet, stunning visuals produced by Victor Wong, ’89, and his company vfxNova, plus a surprise appearance by Cantonese opera performers from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts thanks to Martin Lau, ’17 .
The strength of the University’s international community was on full display, with more than 25,000 alumni and friends around the world contributing to the UW’s global impact. It was a testament to the University of Washington’s enduring influence and the power of its global community. The event was made possible by generous sponsors and the dedicated efforts of the Hong Kong alumni chapter, led by chapter president Lui Tong, ‘90, whose commitment ensured a remarkable experience for all attendees.
Looking ahead, UW Converge will continue to provide unrivaled access and connection to international Huskies. The next gathering is set to take place in Tokyo, further solidifying the University of Washington’s role as a leading global institution.
