HIGHLIGHTS
Ready for disruptive changes in education
, a magazine by international accreditation body for business schools - EFMD, published an article by Prof TAM Kar Yan, Dean of HKUST Business School. The article recaps the experiences, challenges and positive outcomes of HKUST in rapidly migrating the whole university to an online teaching mode, in response to social and health crises.
Faculty express opinions in local and global platforms
In May, several faculty members expressed views on different current issues in op-ed articles published by local and regional press. SCMP carried an article by Elman Family Professor of Business and Chair Prof. HUI Kai Lung. He called for all businesses, employees and consumers to shoulder some of the losses to get through the difficult time as affected by the pandemic. He also coauthored another article in Straits Times (subscription required) on how Singapore can reduce its dependence on foreign labor through a fundamental review of the desired outcomes of economic, social and other policies. Lifestyle International Professor of Business and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Prof. Anirban MUKHOPADHYAY, in SCMP discussed the value of online education with the recent widespread adoption of e-learning. Meanwhile, Columbia Law School blog featured an article co-authored by Assistant Prof. Alminas ZALDOKAS, Department of Finance, on the phenomenon of the television ad as an investment tip.
Opinions about tech trends and impacts
TVB Program, Future Scope (看出個未來), in three episodes during the month examined the roles and applications of emerging technologies. On May 7, Chair Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, Department of ISOM, discussed the new generation of big data and personal credit. On May 14, Assistant Prof. KOH Tat Koon, Department of ISOM, shared his insights into the changing roles of social media platforms and how emerging technologies transform the way we live, play and interact with others. On May 21, Associate Prof. Allen HUANG, Department of Accounting, expressed his views on the future of work related to AI and machine learning.
HKUST collaborates with EY to solve complex tax issues (May 28)
Several news portals, including Sing Tao Daily , Bastille Post, Sohu and Mirage News reported that HKUST has become the first university in Asia Pacific associated with Ernst & Young’s (EY) Advanced Technology Tax Lab. The collaboration between the two parties aimsto solve the complex tax issues through the use and application of advanced technologies.
OTHERS
Impact of National Security Law on Hong Kong's Independent tariff status (May 29)
Various media including BBC (Chinese) carried article on the US’s possible revocation of HK’s preferential trade and financial status. Prof. Albert PARK, Chair Professor of Economics/Social Science, commented that such act may accelerate HK’s loss of autonomy and the termination of “One Country, Two Systems” principle. Meanwhile, SCMP carried an article on HK’s economic values to the central government. Emeritus Prof. Francis LUI, Department of Economics, said the city “could build on its trusted financial system that has proved crucial in enabling Beijing to allocate capital more efficiently”.
Digital divide too wide for online classes to succeed in Nepal (May 29)
The Kathmandu Post cited comments by Chair Prof. HUI Kai Lung, Department of ISOM, on the feasibility of online learning in Nepal. Prof. HUI said that the online study is more than just the computer and network per se as the home environment also matters.
How should enterprises build a stronger “immunity” to cope with crisis (May 29)
Sina featured a live online sharing session by Adjunct Associate Prof. Oliver ZHAO Yue, Department of Marketing, on how enterprises can maintain their long-term competitiveness amid difficulties.
Stimulate new businesses by technology (May 15, 22 & 29)
Hong Kong Economic Times (subscription required) carried articles by Prof. Erwin HUANG, Adjunct Prof of Department of ISOM, on the e-commerce markets for different industries brought about by the novel coronavirus. Prof. HUANG pointed out that working from home has become a new trend of work, businessmen should make use of internet to look for new clients and apply technology to increase the efficiency of virtual meetings.
Canceled study abroad trips affect student plans (May 28)
Dailytrojan featured a story on how the study abroad trips were affected due to the pandemic. A senior student of the World Bachelor in Business (WBB) decided to switch from University of Southern California to HKUST in her coming fourth year as she preferred classes to be held in person.
Shoulder the burden amid COVID-19 pandemic (May 28)
Hong Kong Economic Times carried an article by Chair Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, Department of ISOM, saying that everyone has a role to play to shoulder the losses brought by the global pandemic of Covid-19.
Fintech industry’s call for talent support (May 28)
Ming Pao featured an article by Adjunct Prof. KC CHAN, Department of Finance, on the shortage of manpower in virtual banking. He highlighted that the technological talents are urgently required for the fintech industry.
Fear-mongering over national security law unfounded (May 26)
Global Times cited comments by Emeritus Prof. Francis LUI, Department of Economics, on an article regarding the reactions to the proposed national security law for HK.
Online sharing on admission preparation for university applications (May 26)
Topick featured a free online sharing seminar by a Quantitative Finance (QFIN) student on his experience on university applications and preparation for admission interviews hosted by YMCA.
SBM graduate sharing his entrepreneurship journey (May 25)
HK 01 featured an advertorial on how the learning experience at HKUST has helped a graduate of the Business School on his entrepreneurship journey.
Reflection on the purpose of education (May 22)
Hong Kong Economic Times carried an article by Chair Prof. HUI Kai-Lung, Department of ISOM, on whether schools should refund for its suspension during the pandemic. Meanwhile, he also shared his insights on how we should value education.
The trend of the Sino-US trade war (May 19)
BBC (Chinese) and Hong Kong Economic Times quoted insights by Chair Prof. Albert PARK, Department of Economics/ Social Science, in an article about Sino-US trade war. He commented that the relationship between China and the US will deteriorate regardless who wins the US presidential election later this year.
Global banks shorten annual internship and switch to virtual curricula (May 19)
A number of news portals, including SCMP, Intellasia and Yahoo carried articles on how the global banks’ internship programs were switched online amid the pandemic. A student of Business School, Christy SO, who will have her internship in Citi Bank this summer, said she was having virtual meetings already even before the COVID-19 outbreak and she believed the work mindset can be easily changed.
Prof Paul FOSTER granted IPO Teaching Excellence Award (May 18)
Ming Pao and HK 01 featured a story on Prof. Paul FORSTER of Business Education who has just received the IPO Teaching Excellence Award 2019, and shared his life story and how he coped with depression over the years.
Four decades of economic growth screeches to a half in China (May 14)
NBC carried an article on China’s economic downturn and how it may increase the chance of social unrest. Chair Prof. Albert PARK, Department of Economics/Social Science, said the Chinese government has tried to prevent social instability by bolstering the social safety net since the 2008 global financial crisis.
The era of online marketing (May 14)
Hong Kong Economic Times carried an article by Adjunct Associate Prof. HONG Weiyin, Department of ISOM, on how animated advertisements can attract attention in the digital marketing era.
How Coronavirus changes the startup culture (May 14)
LYNK cited comment by Adjunct Prof. Erwin HUANG, Department of ISOM, on an article regarding the impact on startup culture due to the coronavirus. He highlighted that the cash flow will underpin every startup’s survival strategy during the pandemic crisis.
China’s irreversible trend of globalization (May 4, 6 & 14)
Fnc News, CM Media and DW News shared the insights of Prof. ZHANG Hongtao, Department of ISOM, in an article about desinicization, saying that China becoming the world factory was not a plan of the government, but a result of organic growth over the past decades.
The significance of crisis management and public relations training (May 12)
STDaily carried an article by Prof. Winnie PENG, Director of Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies, regarding the facemask hijacking crisis happened earlier this year in Dali City of Yunnan Province. Prof. PENG highlighted that in an online meeting held by the province’s CPPCC Committee that crisis management and public relations training are needed for the city’s officials.
Online meetings become the norm amid Covid-19 pandemic (May 8)
HK Economic Journal carried an article by Adjunct Prof. and Senior Advisor (Entrepreneurship) Erwin HUANG, Department of ISOM, on the popularity of online meetings amid COVID-19 pandemic.
E-commerce company’s plan in sharing the big data (May 7)
Apple Daily carried an article by Adjunct Prof. and Senior Advisor (Entrepreneurship) Erwin HUANG, Department of ISOM, on an article about the HKTV mall’s latest business developments.
HK and Singapore become acquisition targets by Chinese enterprises (May 7)
Secret China quoted insights of Prof. Edwin LAI, Department of Economics, in an article on the changes of acquisition policies of various countries, saying it is impossible for Chinese companies to merge with other foreign companies if they could not secure financing from financial institutions in mainland China.
Countries guard against China’s acquisitions (May 6)
BBC中文cited comments by Prof. Edwin LAI, Department of Economics, in an article on de-globalization and the acquisition policies of various countries, saying a fair play or not depends on China and European Union’s (EU) intensity of regulation on companies merging.
HK is facing an economic recession (May 5)
HK Commercial Daily cited comments by Emeritus Prof. Francis LUI, Department of Economics, saying that HK’s economy this year will experience a negative growth with the decline of its GDP in the first quarter.
Interest-free loan offered by a virtual bank (May 4)
HK Economic Journal cited comment by Chair Prof. Albert PARK, Department of Economics, on the ripple effects of the proposed HKSAR Government’s handout quoted by WeLab, a fintech and virtual bank company, to support its new penny loans campaign.