HIGHLIGHTS
HK’s Future in Science and Innovation
Three mainland publications: (中國青年報), the First Financial Daily (第一財經報) and Jiemian News (界面新聞) interviewed HKUST President Professor Tony Chan on his views on Hong Kong’s future in science and innovation development and the achievements made by HKUST on its 25th anniversary. Professor Chan talked about his journey from a local secondary school student to the top of HKUST as president since 2009. He also gave advice to the young generation stressing the importance of “being a leader, not a follower”. These stories were reposted extensively by a number of popular mainland news portals such as Sina, Sohu, Chinanews.com, edu.cn, among others.
HKUST 25th Anniversary Conference in Beijing (27 Sep)
About 20 mainland news portal, including中國經濟網, 環球網, 中國網, 搜狐, 財經網, 中國經營網, carried a press statement issued by the HKUST Business School on its 25th anniversary conference in Beijing. The conference featured 2010 Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides on “the new role of China in the world economy”. His talk was followed by a discussion moderated by Professor Leung Siu Fai, Head of Department of Economics. Also joining the discussion was Professor Justin Lin, Director of the China Center for Economic Research at Peking University; Professor Roger King, Director of Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business & Entrepreneurship and Thompson Center for Business Case Studies; and Professor Francis Lui, Director of Center for Economic Development. The conference has attracted over 250 alumni and guests in Beijing on 24 September.
BizInsight@HKUST Lunch Seminar: The Brexit Impact (30 Sep)
Five local dailies in print (Ming Pao, HK Economic Times, Wen Wei Po , Ta Kung Pao, and HK Economic Journal) and more than ten online news portals reported on comments made by speakers at the “Brexit Lunch Seminar”, organised by the HKUST Business School on 29 September. Most papers quoted keynote speaker Professor Sir Christopher Pissarides as saying that the Brexit would lead to a slowdown in economic growth in the UK due to the uncertain negotiation outcome. He expected a reduction in foreign direct investment, a more volatile exchange and share market and a deteriorating government budget in the country. Some media including Bloomberg quoted panel speaker Ms Jo Hawley, Trade and Investment Director of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong, as saying that preliminary talks had been held with China about establishing a trade agreement, while other papers including Ta Kung Pao and Metro Radio quoted Mr Nicholas Kwan, Director of Research of TDC, as saying that the impact of Brexit on Hong Kong was moderate thus far.
The Shifting Landscape in China
The CEMS Magazine (Culture Issue) carried an article contributed by Ms Catherine Lo, Assistant Director of MSc Programs at the HKUST Business School. The article featured the MSc in International Management (MIMT) offered by the School and the role of women leadership in Asia and China. Ms Summer Tang, the program alumna and currently a Management Associate at Hilti, shared the positive learning experience and tips to succeed as a businesswoman in the region. The article also featured the HKUST CEMS MIMT program, which is designed for students to have international exposure and global perspectives. It said there were more female students enrolled, and that the opportunities offered in the program could help female students build a solid foundation before they start their career. Link (52-55)
OTHERS
Times Higher Education: Subject Rankings (30 Sep)
Some local dailies including Wen Wei Po reported on the Times Higher Education 2016 Subject Rankings result, in which Business & Economics of the HKUST Business School was ranked the world’s No.14 (MIT No.1) or No.2 in Asia after NUS. Harvard University comes top in three of the eight subject rankings.Link to the result
International MBA Students at HKUST (30 Sep)
BusinessBecause carried an article featuring two full-time international MBA students at the HKUST Business School. The two students talked about how they made a big decision to move across the world for the most well-traveled MBA and how they integrated to Hong Kong life well before they start classes. Link
‘Leanwashing’ - and its Role in the Obesity Crisis (28 Sep)
SCMP Education Post carried a research summary by Professor Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Department of Marketing. His research looks into the obesity crisis and why does the popular misconception of lack of exercise persist? Link
Prospect of Shenzhen Vs Hong Kong (27 Sep)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Adjunct Professor Jerome Yen, Department of Finance. Professor Yen discussed the success of Shenzhen in its recent transformation into a technology and innovation hub. He said FinTech provided another window of opportunities for Hongkongers, but its government has to step up support to the industry, instead of misspending effort in political tussles. Link
A Torn Society (23 Sep)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Director of the Center for Economic Development. Professor Lui explained the reasons for an increasingly “torn” society in Hong Kong, citing the widening gap between the rich and poor and the popularity of social media. He said Hong Kong more than ever needed a “middle path” approach to move forward. Link
Impact of US Presidential Election (20 Sep)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Adjunct Professor Jerome Yen, Department of Finance. Professor Yen opined that the US market would see turbulence with the underlying political risk amid the US Presidential Election, and that the impact was likely to extend across financial market globally. Link
Acquisition and Merger by Mainland Corporations (13 Sep)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Professor JT Li, Head of Department of Management. Professor Li opined while China was keen to become “a net capital exporter”, it should proceed with a two-pronged approach via “green field investment” and acquisitions and mergers on overseas markets. Link
“Vote Allocation” by Pan-Political Party (6 Sep)
Ta Kung Pao carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Director of the Center for Economic Development. Professor Lui commented on the latest political landscape, saying that the entry of inexperienced “localists” into Legco could have adverse impact on Hong Kong’s tourism and caused other social issues. Link
RMB Valuation (6 Sep)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Professor Edwin Lai, Department of Economics, on the valuation of RMB. Professor Lai believed that RMB would appreciate in the long term, notwithstanding its depreciation recently. Link
Concern Over the Quality of Local Lawmakers (2 Sep)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Director of the Center for Economic Development. He criticized the incompetence of some current lawmakers and candidates of the Legco election, saying that the problem was partly the result of proportional representation or single non-transferable vote system in Hong Kong. Link