HIGHLIGHTS
HKUST Named CEMS School of the Year (14 Dec)
Five local dailies and some online portals, , Wen Wei Po, HKET, Ta Kung Pao, Ming Pao, World Journal, Baogaosu, and PublicNow (Sing Tao, Ming Pao, WWP and TKP in print) reported on HKUST being named the“CEMS School of the Year”. Their reports introduced the background of the global education alliance - CEMS, and the international standing of HKUST with its course “Global Macroeconomics” also being named the “CEMS Course of the Year”. Dean Professor Kar Yan Tam talked about the key features of the MSc in International Management program that collaborates with CEMS and how students could benefit from the real-life business exposure. As one of the 80 CEMS corporate partners, CEO (Greater China) of the United Overseas Bank (UOB) Ms Christine Ip said the bank has supported the program by offering business projects for students and recruiting potential candidates. A current student Wang Luyi shared her positive multi-cultural learning experience from the program. Sing Tao also reported on the new MSc in Business Analytics program, to be launched by the School in the coming academic year.
OTHERS
Opportunities for SMEs through FinTech Innovations
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s publication World SME Services featured the growing opportunities for Hong Kong’s SMEs amid the recent FinTech development. Dean Professor Kar Yan Tam explained how SMEs could be well positioned to tap into the potential benefits, due to its affordable cost, popularity of the Internet and mobile devices. He said FinTech offered opportunities for SME retailers on such as POS systems and P2P payment choices. FinTech could also make SME businesses more efficient, streamline their back-office transactions and create paperless offices. He added that programs offered by HKUST such as EMBA and MSc in Business Analytics were designed to equip students with skills and knowledge for understanding the potential offered by FinTech. Link (P.22-26).
MBAs Evolve to Stay Relevant in Changing World
SCMP Education Post published a post-graduation guide book featuring MBAs among other post-grad programs. The story compared MBA programs offered by local universities and overseas players including Macquarie University in Australia and Manchester University in the UK. Director of MBA Programs at HKUST Mr Sean Ferguson said HKUST MBA was to position students for career success and committed to creating comprehensive international experience with study tours to places like India, Mexico, South Africa and Brazil, with a new range of electives geared to emerging themes for Asia. Link
Stock Market Education
TVB J5 Program “Wealth 360” introduced a session featuring some background knowledge of the stock market. Associate Director of UG Programs Professor Siu Kam Wing, in four episodes, explained to new investors some basic knowledge and commonly-used terms in the stock market, such as “odd lots” and “rights issue”, in an easy-to-understand way. Link to the first (22:13) and second (21:15) episodes.
HKUST MBA Promotes Diversity and Opens Doors to Top Jobs in Asia
BusinessBecause carried two feature articles on HKUST MBA. The first article focused on how the program helped prepare students for post-MBA career. Students Mark Wise and Jan-Justus Schmidt shared their experience on relocating from overseas to pursue an MBA at HKUST. They took advantage of HKUST’s career treks, which open doors to graduate jobs in the growth economies of Asia Pacific and Middle East. The second article interviewed another two HKUST MBA students Dency Cheng and Faisal Hillo, featuring the highly international cohort from 30 different nations and backgrounds.
Anti-Elitism and Property Price (30 Dec)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (link) by Professor Francis Lui, Department of Economics. He explained how the widespread anti-elitism could put the world’s economy in danger citing the results of the Brexit and the US presidential election. Sky Post (link) carried another commentary, in which Professor Lui outlined the causes of the sky-rocketing property price in Hong Kong.
A Changing World (23 Dec)
Sky Post carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Department of Economics. He discussed some key driving forces which are set to change the world, noticeably the right-wing populism and xenophobia together with technology advancement in recent decades. Link
China’s Dodgy Data (21 Dec)
Wall Street Journal zoomed in on the transparency of listed Chinese companies. Assistant Professor Li Xi, Department of Accounting, said the rule requiring mainland Chinese companies to show several quarters of profits before launching an initial public offering in mainland China opens the door for data manipulation. Link
Challenges and Opportunities Amid Trade War (20 Dec)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Chair Professor JT Li and Head of Department of Management. Professor Li looked into the opportunities and threats that Chinese companies may face if an US-China trade war breaks out. Link
HKSAR Chief Executive Candidates (16 Dec)
Sky Post carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Department of Economics, on the potential and changes of a few SAR Chief Executive candidates. Link
Steps Beijing Should Take on RMB Devaluation (13 Dec)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Professor Jerome Yen, Department of Finance. Professor Yen commented on the deflation of Renminbi and the challenges of the mainland government as it tried to maintain the currency’s exchange rates. Link
Trump’s Selection of Terry Branstad as US Ambassador to China (9 Dec)
The Street looked into the impact on China after Donald Trump’s selection of Branstad as US Ambassador to China. Professor Albert Park, Department of Economics, sounded off on how the Trump presidency would affect US-China relations. He said Chinese leaders hope that Trump’s background as a businessman will lead to an emphasis on striking agreements that are mutually beneficial economically, without undue politicization. Link
Chinese Online Insurer Leaves Traditional Rivals in the Dust (8 Dec)
Nikkei Asian Review carried acommentary by HKUST Research Fellow Paul Schulte on the edges that Chinese online insurer Zhong An has over its traditional rivals. Link
Impact of Minority Shareholder Rights on Corporate Decisions (7 Dec)
SCMP Education Post carried a research summary by Associate Professor Chen Zhihong, Department of Accounting. His research examines corporate ownership and countries with weak protection for investors. Link
Italy’s Constitutional Referendum (7 Dec)
Hong Kong Economic Journal carried a commentary (解牛集) by Professor Jerome Yen, Department of Finance. He looked at the market uncertainty following the rejection of the pro-reforms platform in Italy’s constitutional referendum. Link
Meeting with the Central Government (6 Dec)
Hong Kong Economic Journal, Wenweipo, Sky Post and Takungpao carried commentaries by Professor Francis Lui, Department of Economics, on his trip to Beijing with the pro-establishment group and his analysis on the central government’s stance on Hong Kong’s independence movement.
Role of Economic Freedom in Prosperity (5 Dec)
GNAM Global Network Perspectives carried a summary of a talk given by Associate Professor Peter Chen, Department of Accounting. Professor Chen looks into the impacts of economic freedom on corporate investment and value creation. Link
“Lion Rock” Spirit (2 Dec)
Sky Post carried a commentary by Professor Francis Lui, Department of Economics. He explained and shared his thoughts about the “Lion Rock” spirit that motivated many Hongkongers between the 50s and 90s. Link
To Preserve the Family Business, Prune and Diversify (1 Dec)
Nikkei Asian Review looked into how Asian family-owned companies can succeed at succession. The story quoted Professor Roger King, Director of the Tanoto Center for Asian Family Business and Entrepreneurship Studies, as saying that diversification and ownership pruning were two keys to longevity for family businesses to survive for generations. Link