As part of our ongoing effort to expand global impact, HKUST Business School is actively forging new academic and corporate partnerships worldwide. The Middle East, with its dynamic growth and emerging opportunities, presents strong potential for HKUST to make meaningful contributions in the years ahead.
Fueling Academia-Corporate Collaborations
In this connection, a delegation of senior leaders undertook a visit to the region to explore potential collaborations. Recognizing the strong demand for knowledge in the rapidly developing Arab-Asian market, the delegation engaged with several prestigious institutions across Saudi Arabia to explore strategic partnerships, joint educational initiatives, and opportunities to enhance research, faculty, and student exchanges, and more.
Engaging leading institutions: the team visits the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), King Saud University (KSU), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), and the Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business & Entrepreneurship (MBSC).
The team also engaged with leading Chinese brands operating in the main cities of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sparking invigorating discussions on forging impactful partnerships that bridge the talent gap between academia and industry, as well as strategies for driving forward-thinking collaborations. We shared insights and best practices in the areas of mutual interest, setting the stage for future Arab-Asian collaboration.
Bridging academia and industry: meetings with delivery giant Keeta (left), leading smartphone makers HONOR and Alibaba Cloud (right).
Inaugural Business Alumni Reunion in Saudi Arabia and Dubai
HKUST’s presence in the Middle East dates back over a decade, beginning with the launch of its MBA program partnered with Saudi Aramco in 2013. Building on this foundation, we organized two alumni gatherings to reconnect with them and other graduates who live and work in the region. As our first-ever HKUST Alumni Reunion in Saudi Arabia, alumni from across the region came together to celebrate their shared experiences. The energy and camaraderie among our fellow alumni highlighted the strength of our global and vibrant community. The cocktail event featured a presentation by our Acting Dean, Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, who shared updates on HKUST and the School’s recent developments.
The alumni met with the delegation, including Prof. TAM Kar Yan, Vice-President for Administration and Business and Acting Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of HKUST; Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, Acting Dean of HKUST Business School; Prof. FONG Yuk Fai, Associate Dean; and Chris TSANG, Assistant Dean (Administration) and MSc Program Director.
The team later traveled to Dubai, where Prof. Hui delivered an exclusive masterclass titled “Blockchain, Web 3, and Applications in Healthcare,” providing a managerial overview and practical insights into blockchain technology and showcasing the School’s cutting-edge teaching.
Looking ahead, we are excited to deepen our engagement with the Middle East. This dynamic region offers tremendous potential to enrich our School community and expand our global presence.