HKUST Business Review

"The multidisciplinary approach is crucial," Fung said, noting that the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has shown the way in breaking down traditional academic silos and sharing practical ideas with the wider community. As an example, engineering students are now taking classes on business strategy, economists are learning about technological innovation, and supply chain management is recognized as a complex interdisciplinary field requiring familiarity with geopolitics, technology, and economics. "Nowadays, students need to look beyond their immediate discipline," Fung said. "They must understand that the future belongs to those who can connect dots across different domains of knowledge." Through education, universities can also take an active role in the transformation of the global economy. There are many ways of doing that: collaborating on international research projects, training the next generation of global leaders, and providing the intellectual infrastructure needed to effect change. Looking ahead, Fung believes we are moving towards a multipolar world where different regions will have distinct economic spheres of influence. "Hopefully, we can rebuild the global system on that basis," he said, suggesting that the future of global trade lies in collaboration and adaptability rather than rigid, centralized models. For businesses, his message is clear: survival depends on flexibility, technological innovation, and the ability to pivot quickly in response to different conditions. The supply chains of the future will be defined by resilience and the capacity to navigate an increasingly complex landscape. The companies that thrive will be those that view change not as a threat or disruption, but as an opportunity for innovation and growth. In this new economic architecture, Fung firmly believes that flexibility will become the “operating system” of international commerce. “We are rebuilding the global system with adaptability as our primary currency,” he said. [Students] must understand that the future belongs to those who can connect dots across different domains of knowledge. HKUST Business Review 21 Cover