As one of China’s important growth engines, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) continues to shape the future of business, technology, and tourism. Through experiential learning opportunities across the region, our Bilingual DBA students visited Guangzhou, while undergraduate students from the Department of Economics explored Macao, gaining first-hand industry insights in each city.
HKUST Bilingual DBA Study Trip to Guangzhou
The inaugural cohort of the HKUST Bilingual DBA program completed a highly interactive two-day study trip to Guangzhou. Designed to integrate classroom theory with real-world practice, the trip featured deep-dive visits to two industry leaders: Guangzhou Liby Enterprise Group, a major FMCG producer, and Kingfa Science & Technology, a global advanced materials innovator.
Discussions centered on three forces shaping the modern economy—technology, finance, and globalization—directly reflecting the program’s core intellectual pillars. At Liby, participants examined its 30-year growth and comprehensive digital transformation across marketing and supply chain. The session generated rich cross-industry dialogue on data platforms, AI applications, and global expansion strategies. At Kingfa, the focus shifted to R&D and global operations. A roundtable moderated by Prof. LOU Dong, Associate Dean of HKUST Business School, explored strategic issues in intellectual property and talent management, highlighting the intersection of innovation and commercial execution.
Beyond case insights, the trip strengthened cohort bonding and embodied the program’s “knowledge in action” ethos. The success has already sparked momentum for future on-site visits to participants’ own organizations, extending learning beyond the classroom.
Economics Students Gain Insights into Macao’s Tourism and Leisure Industry
Another group of undergraduate students from the Department of Economics visited Galaxy Macau for an immersive experiential learning trip focused on the region’s thriving “mega-events economy.”
The day began with an exclusive Q&A session with hotel executives on Galaxy Macau’s business frameworks. Students then toured the world-famous Grand Resort Deck, Hotel Okura Macau, and the ultra-luxury suites at Galaxy Macau, examining the service standards that drive the luxury hospitality sector. The trip concluded with visits to Galaxy Kidz and the iconic Diamond Lobby. The stunning lobby offered a perfect example of how modern integrated resorts utilize experiential marketing and digital-friendly landmarks to attract consumers.
This field trip successfully helped students better understand how Macao is pioneering new tourism and leisure models that will continue to drive growth across GBA.