Expanding the Scope of Mentoring
Mentoring is an effective way to help students progress, find their own potential, and become the person they want to be. The HKUST Business School realizes the value of mentoring and always looks for ways and resources to strengthen its mentoring activities.
With a generous donation from the Karen Lee Family, the School is able to step up its mentoring with the launch of a number of new initiatives such as a “Public Service Internship Scholarship” and “Take a Faculty to Lunch”, as well as the development of a new purpose-designed center.
“The Karen Lee Student Mentoring Center is organized by the Undergraduate Programs Office with sponsorship from the Dr Karen Lee Memorial Fund in memory of our late faculty member,” says Professor Emily Nason, Director of the Center and Associate Dean (Undergraduate Student Affairs).
“Dr Karen Lee was a dedicated professor who had a strong commitment to developing students’ professional and responsible leadership. She recognized the importance of mentoring in helping students to identify and pursue their personal and professional goals.
“With a grant of HK$20 million, the School is able to carry on with Dr Lee’s values and devotion in student mentoring and leadership development.”
Connecting Closer
UG Get-Together has been held for all UG business students since we moved to the new Business School building in September 2013. The event offers a friendly and relaxing occasion where business students can connect with their peers as well as faculty and staff.
Starting this year, the Karen Lee Student Mentoring Center is now the sponsor for all upcoming UG Get-Togethers. Each event will bring students together and feature a different theme - for example “the Year of the Rooster” gathering served chicken nuggets, chicken pizza, egg tarts, and chicken wings as a fun-filled party to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Of course vegetarian options were also provided.
Freshman Terry Yeung says: “This activity provides a platform for me not only to chat with my peers, but with lecturers and professors on topics that we don’t talk much about in class. It lets us get to know each other better.”
A sophomore student from Taiwan, Chang Hsin-wen, agrees and says the event enables her to meet more new friends from different programs of the School and students from other countries in a free and relaxing environment.
Career Mentorship Program
Meanwhile, the Karen Lee Student Mentoring Center introduced the new Career Mentorship Program in February at a ceremony attended by Mr Philip Lee, Dr. Karen Lee’s brother.
The Program aims to provide valuable opportunities for undergraduate business students to seek advice on career directions and life goals from mentors who are experienced professionals and senior executives across different industries.
The Center will organize several gatherings throughout the year-long mentorship program to facilitate two-way participation between the 13 mentors and 26 mentees who are paired up by the School in the pilot round. The pairs are also encouraged to organize their own ongoing interaction opportunities.
Facilities for Mentoring
In recognition of the support from the donor, a new student mentoring facility will be set up in honor of Dr Lee and called the Karen Lee Student Mentoring Center.
An area in the current Business School building will be reconfigured and renovated into a modern and convenient facility with a learning commons, snack bar, and advising rooms.
“This facility is at the planning stage and scheduled to open next year to provide a designated place for students to learn from each other, build relationships and organize mentoring activities,” says Professor Nason.
The Center will also fund other new initiatives like the “Public Service Internship Scholarship”, which will be presented to students who exhibit outstanding performance during their internship with an NGO during winter or summer term. The activities organized by the Center are all a testament to Dr Lee’s and the School’s commitment to student mentoring.