HIGHLIGHTS
Launch of Dual-Degree Master’s Programs with Yale and HEC Paris (28 Nov)
Eight local newspapers (, Ming Pao, HK Economic Times, ODN, Headline, Sky Post, Metro Daily HK Commercial Daily, also reposted by MSN HK and Yahoo) together Xinhua News Agency reported on the HKUST partnership with Yale School of Management and HEC Paris to launch the portfolio of dual-degree master’s programs (M2M). All papers carried the basic facts of the programs including launch date, admission target, tuition fees, duration and modes of study. Dean Prof Tam Kar Yan was quoted as saying that given more youngsters are interested in developing careers overseas, the M2M programs provide an unparalleled learning experience through cooperation with two world’s leading academic institutions, where students can benefit from the resources and support offered by two schools. Mr Chris Tsang, Executive Director (School Development & MSc Programs) said the M2M programs targeted at young graduates will accept no more than 20 students of outstanding academic background. HEKT puts together a table comparing the tuition fees and entry requirements between the M2M and the MBA programs offered by HKUST, CUHK and HKU.
Launch of New EMBA Program with SKOLKOVO (8 Nov)
Six local newspapers (Sing Tao, HK Economic Times, Ming Pao, Wen Wei Po, Tai Kung Pao, Yahoo and SCMP) together with regional media (BusinessBecause and Xinhua News Agency) reported on the HKUST partnership with SKOLKOVO to launch the new EMBA program for Eurasia. All reports focused on the program’s commitment to nurture talent along the Belt and Road countries, including its target launch date and class size, duration and tuition fee. Dean Prof Tam Kar Yan was quoted as saying that HKUST is a forerunner in offering executive program within the framework of the Belt and Road initiative. Associate Dean Prof Steven Dekrey said with 20 years of solid experience in running EMBA program, the new partnership can create synergy, leveraging SKOLKOVO’s reputation and knowledge in Eurasia. Commenting on the two partnership EMBA programs offered by HKUST, Steve said the Kellogg-HKUST EMBA offers a more global perspective, while the EMBA with SKOLKOVO focuses on the Eurasia market. HKET also carried a sidebar featuring Anthony Sar, a SOKOLKOVO MBA alumnus, who has become a founder of a fintech startup with operations in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.
HKUST EMBA Features Prof Ba Shusong (27 Nov)
Public Now and Baogaosu.com carried a press release on the “Open Classroom Lecture Series” inaugurated by the HKUST EMBA program, where Chief China Economist of HKEX Prof Ba Shusong was invited to speak on RMB globalization and RMB-denominated asset allocation.
OTHERS
Alumnus Talks about Blockchain (29 Nov)
TVB program “Tech & Innovation” (創科導航) zoomed in on blockchain. HKUST’s MBA and MSc alumnus Samson Lee, who is a blockchain expert, explained the potential and key features of Bitcons and Ethereum, reminding investors of the security issues and associated risks.
Measures to Narrow Wealth Gap (28 Nov)
HKEJ carried a commentary (解牛集) by Lecturer Dr Kelvin Mak, Department of Accounting. He discussed the widening wealth gap in Hong Kong and around the world. To resolve the problems, Dr Mak puts forward measures such as increasing the tax of the “super high-income earners” and introducing other tax measures to alleviate the pressure on the mounting rent in Hong Kong.
What Do Students Think About Diversity (27 Nov)
AACSB publication (BizEd) featured the value of diversity in MBA programs, with interviews of students and alumni of different business schools. HKUST MBA (2017) student Bianca Pestalozzi, who worked as a consultant in Switzerland, said she wants to enroll in an MBA program that would immerse her in a completely different cultural context. Pestalozzi views the cultural and business education she received at HKUST as invaluable stressing that diversity doesn’t stop with gender, race, and nationality, but industry-based diversity as well.
About CPC 19th National Congress (24 Nov)
Mainland media and various local papers reported on the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), including a panel discussion in Hong Kong in which Emeritus Prof Francis Lui spoke. Prof Lui said Beijing recognizes the strength of Hong Kong, and that Hongkoners should seek to understand the 19th National Congress Report and seize opportunities ahead. Meanwhile, a number of papers cited Prof Lui’s comments, as member of the Task Force on Land Supply, advocating the idea to repurpose country parks and land reclamation to increase the land supply.
Short Selling to Avoid Financial Misconduct (21 Nov)
HKEJ carried a commentary (解牛集) by Associate Prof Allen Huang, Department of Accounting, on the benefits of short selling for the stock market. He explained how short selling can detect firms with misrepresented or incorrect financial statements, helping the market to uncover misconduct and enhance corporate governance.
B-Schools Up Big Data Analytics Focus to Match Demand (17 Nov)
Business Because reported that more data analytics programs are offered by business schools around the world to match the growing demand for such talent by employers. It noted that HKUST Business School launched an MSc program in Business Analytics this year.
How to Attract Talent to Join Government (17 Nov)
Sky Post carried an article by Emeritus Prof Francis Lui. He suggested ways such as essay competitions or debates that the Hong Kong Government can make reference to select or attract young talent to join the government.
Corporate Tax Cut to Encourage Innovation (14 Nov)
HKEJ carried a commentary (解牛集) by Associate Prof Abhiroop Mukherjee and Assistant Prof Alminas Zaldokas, Department of Finance, and IEMS researchers. They discussed the proposed tax cuts in Hong Kong and the US, saying that lowering corporate tax can provide incentive to innovation, in the long run.
About China’s Economic Outlook (10 Nov)
Sky Post carried an article by Emeritus Prof Francis Lui. He shared his views on China’s economic outlook and denied the comments made by some people that China would collapse amid its structural reform.
Chinese Women in Family Firms (6 Nov)
SCMP looked into the changing attitudes on the role of women towards succession planning. Prof Roger Kong, Director of the Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies, was quoted as saying that Chinese companies are still passed on to male members of the family, usually the eldest son, and added that the family would also support the other sons and daughters in setting up their own businesses. Meanwhile, Campden FB, a family business magazine, reported on an Asia-Pacific Family Office Conference co-chaired by Prof King, which discussed how Asia’s next generation tackles some taboos.
Prudent Approach Required to Introduce New Taxes (7 Nov)
HKEJ carried a commentary (解牛集) by Lecturer Dr Kelvin Mak, Department of Accounting, after he attended the Summit on New Directions for Taxation organized by the Government. Dr Mak examined the issues related to the discussed “two-tiered profits tax” and “R&D expense tax”.
Prof KC Chan on Radio Program (4 Nov)
Commercial Radio interviewed Adjunct Prof KC Chan, Department of Finance, commenting on local and the global economies, including the impact of interest rate, the property price in Hong Kong, and the newly appointed US Fed Chief Jerome Powell. In face of the soaring property price in Hong Kong, Prof Chan reminded Hongkongers of the risk and their own affordability. Meanwhile, Prof Chan was cited by several media, including Sina, Finet, Xinhua, on his remarks made as a speaker in the BOAO Youth Forum for Asia. He said Hong Kong needs to transform and capitalize its strength in areas like finance, legal system and talent in developing FinTech.