Beijing and Shanghai are two of the most thriving and important cities in China, boasting a significant presence of our high-achieving alumni. To strengthen our alumni communities in these two cities, the HKUST Business School hosted an alumni dinner in Shanghai and an alumni luncheon in Beijing, respectively on October 27 and 29, bringing together hundreds of alumni and friends of HKUST, to reconnect and share knowledge.
Welcomed by HKUST President Professor Nancy Y. IP (via video), Provost Professor GUO Yike, and Dean of HKUST Business School Professor TAM Kar Yan, the two events also featured a number of distinguished speakers, alumni, and faculty in a series of panel discussions. Their exceptional perspectives on various enlightening themes, coupled with active participation from the audience, underscore the profound wisdom and vibrancy within the HKUST community.
Exploring the Digital Age in Shanghai
The alumni event in Shanghai started with a thought leadership forum in the afternoon, where three panels centered around the theme of “Winning in the Digital Age: Unlocking Opportunities with Technology and Innovation” stimulated rounds of interactive dialogue. The three panels featured:
Prof. Roger KING (right), Senior Advisor, Roger King Center for Asian Family Business and Family Office, and Prof. Winnie PENG, Director of the Center, share their thoughts on “Challenges and Opportunities for Chinese Family Businesses and Family Offices in the Era of Digital Disruption.”
(Second from left) Mr. Samuel YUNG, EMBA alumnus, AIA Hong Kong Executive District Director and Honourable Advisor and former HKUST Council Committee member; Mr. HAN Yuze, EMBA alumnus and Founding Partner of New Margin Ventures; and Mr. Benjamin CHIAO, BBA and MSc alumnus Co-Director of the Center for Chinese Entrepreneurship and Management Thought at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, discuss “Capturing Blue Ocean Opportunities in Fast-Changing Business Environment”, moderated by Prof. FONG Yuk Fai, Associate Dean, HKUST Business School.
(Second from left) Mr. HU Yu, Co-Founder and Rotating President of iFLYTEK; Mr. Steve CHANG, KH EMBA alumnus and former Tencent Vice President; and Mr. WU Henggang, EMBA alumnus, OPPO Vice President and FIND Product Line President, shed light on “Technology and Innovation as Engine of Economic Growth”, moderated by Prof. HUI Kai Lung, Senior Associate Dean, HKUST Business School.
The forum was followed by a dinner, in which Dean Prof. Tam provided an overview of the School’s development, while Ms. Helen CHEN, Head of External and Alumni Relations of HKUST Business School, conveyed her vision to cultivate a closely connected alumni network.
The evening also featured our University anthem, which was unveiled earlier this year. The idea of creating the anthem was put forward by Council Member Ms. Edith SHIH, and she was on hand to introduce its purpose. Jointly created by the HKUST community, we hope this anthem will foster a strong sense of belonging among our alumni and resonate with them long after they graduated.
More about the activity: Press Release (Simplified Chinese)
Beijing Event Gains Luster with Renowned Speaker
The alumni luncheon in the capital city was graced by Professor YI Gang, President of the Board, China Society for Finance and Banking. Prof. Yi is a prominent economist who served as the governor of the People's Bank of China from 2018 to 2023. Respected for his knowledge of monetary economics, he offered his insights on a timely topic of fintech and digital currency at an inspiring forum.
Prof. Yi Gang (fourth from right) photographed with senior management and friends of HKUST Business School.
In addition to an overview of the University’s and the School’s development presented by HKUST Provost Prof. Guo and Dean Prof. Tam respectively, the event featured an enriching and engaging conversation between (from right) Mr. LU Kuan (EMBA alumnus) and Ms. Manjia LIN (HKUST alumna), moderated by Ms. Jennifer XU (EMBA alumna).
Thanks to the active participation from our alumni and the uncompromising support from our faculty and staff, this Shanghai-Beijing alumni engagement tour has not only achieved great success in knowledge exchange but also demonstrated our commitment to building a bigger, stronger, and more impactful HKUST community across the region.
