Hong Kong Joint Universities Picnic Day 2026
Hong Kong Joint Universities Picnic Day 2026
Rain or Shine: A Heartwarming Recap of the 2026 HKJU Summer Picnic
Despite an unexpected downpour, the 2026 HKJU Summer Picnic in Markham proved that our community’s spirit shines brighter than any weather. On June 14, over 170 alumni from various Hong Kong universities gathered at Milliken District Park for an unforgettable day of food, networking, and shared memories. Led this year by the HKUST Alumni Association of Ontario, the event saw old friends and new faces rallying together under the shelters—pitching in to help, swapping life updates, and celebrating our shared roots. Read on for a heartwarming recap of our rainy-day reunion, plus a sneak peek at our upcoming summer adventures and how you can join our volunteer team!
HKJU Picnic Day 2026
If there’s one thing a little rain can’t wash away, it’s our incredible community spirit!
On Sunday, June 14, over 170 alumni from various Hong Kong university associations gathered at Milliken District Park in Markham for the annual Hong Kong Joint Universities (HKJU) Spring/Summer Picnic. With the HKUST Alumni Association of Ontario proudly taking the lead this year, we were thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout. We even had the honour of welcoming Mr. Bill Wong, Director of HKETO, to share in the day’s festivities.
Yes, the weather threw us a curveball. The heavy rain definitely forced some quick adjustments, but honestly? It just brought us closer together—literally and figuratively.
Stepping Up in the Rain
I want to take a moment to express how incredibly proud I am of our HKUST alumni and friends. Watching our volunteers and attendees go completely out of their way to help each other in the downpour was the absolute highlight of the day. From setting up tents and carrying food trays to serving lunch and handling the cleanup, everyone pitched in with a smile. The way our “UST pack” stepped up to create a warm, dry, and inviting space for everyone to gather is exactly what this association is all about.
Catching Up Under the Shelter
Because the rain kept us mostly huddled in the shelter area, it turned into the perfect setting for deep conversations and endless chit-chat. Not just we were fueled up with great food, we also enjoyed a tracing walk, some fantastic group singing, and a highly anticipated lucky draw!
It was so wonderful to see familiar faces and welcome brand new ones to the family. A special shoutout to the two new HKUST alumni—who are now professors in Ontario!—who took a very long drive just to join us. We also loved seeing little interest groups naturally forming, from pickleball lovers planning their next match to street-walking enthusiasts swapping routes.
Time really does fly
Listening to everyone’s stories, it became clear that most of us aren’t exactly “newcomers” to Toronto anymore. We talked about adapting to the local work culture, and it was great to support those who have been waiting two or three years for their PR applications to be processed. Others shared the excitement of officially becoming Canadians, planning regular trips back to Hong Kong, or even debating a move to Vancouver. Amidst all the personal life updates, we also proudly geeked out over the latest HKUST campus developments and our alma mater’s impressive new rankings.
What’s Next?
The picnic might be over, but our summer is just getting started! Keep an eye on our social channels because we have a HKJU Photo Contest and an adrenaline-pumping Rafting Day Trip coming up soon. You won’t want to miss them!
We Need You: Join Our Volunteer Team!
With HKUST proudly leading the HKJU this year, we have a packed calendar of exciting summer activities, and we would love your help! We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with everything from event coordination, logistics, and photography to social media and running sports or board game activities. Absolutely no prior experience is needed, and any level of time commitment is hugely appreciated. It is a fantastic way to meet fellow alumni, expand your local network, and help strengthen our amazing HKUST community right here in Ontario. If you’re interested in having fun while giving back, simply reply to this post or send us a WhatsApp DM—we’d be thrilled to have you on board!
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