We thank Mr. Li Ka-shing, founder and chairman of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, and Ms Solina Chau, Director of the Li Ka Shing Foundation, who announced the gift at the 10th anniversary celebratory symposium of the exchange program.

In the last 10 years, more than 100 medical students, residents, researchers and faculty members have participated in the visionary Shantou University/University of Manitoba academic exchange program– broadening their perspectives on one another’s cultures, medical treatments, research and education.

Click here to watch video from the Celebratory Symposium held on September 20th.

Adding to the excitement around Bannatyne campus, nine milestone Medicine class reunions took place during last weekend’s Homecoming.

We had more than 225 alumni join us in Brodie Centre for the Dean’s Homecoming breakfast Sept. 17 from all across the US and Canada, and from as far away as Israel and Malaysia. Class of 1961 Senior Stick Richard Armstrong announced at the breakfast that the Class of 1961 had raised $250, 000 for the Faculty of Medicine in honour of its 50th class reunion. What a great accomplishment!

It was a treat to reconnect with so many alumni (including my own classmates at our 35th class reunion) and hear about our alumni’s positive feelings towards their alma mater and their medical education.

Nearly 260 alumni -spanning six decades from 1951 to 2001- participated in nine Faculty of Medicine class reunions. And, at seven of the class reunions, we had over 40 per cent alumni attendance!

Taking into account Classes of 55 and 68 reunions, which were previously held, and the upcoming Class of 91 reunion, some 312 University of Manitoba Medicine alumni will have participated in class reunions in 2011!

That is impressive. Our alumni enjoy coming “home” to Winnipeg (or meeting up in warmer locations over the winter), seeing one another and hearing about what’s new at their medical school. We thank you for coming back and look forward to continuing to connect with you in the future.