23 Jan, 2024
(from left) Prof. Sunny WONG (guest speaker), Prof. James TSIEN (guest speaker), Ms. Christine CHOW, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary (VPAS), Prof. Yuk Shing CHENG, Interim Dean of the School of Business, Prof. Xu HUANG, Associate Dean (Research & Impact), Dr. Melanie LEE, Director of Alumni Affairs Office, and Dr. Monique Shui-Ki WAN, Associate Dean (Taught Postgraduate Studies)
On 20th January, 2024, the Hong Kong Baptist University's (HKBU) Alumni Affairs Office and the HKBU School of Business co-hosted an event titled "A Business Ensemble: Dialogues with Alumni Leaders". The event comprised two sessions featuring distinguished guest speakers, Prof. James TSIEN, Director of Bank of Shanghai (Hong Kong) Limited and Former Group Executive Director of Hutchison Port Holdings Limited, and Prof. Sunny WONG, Former Chairman of Carlsberg Great China. Over 200 students, alumni, and industry practitioners attended the event.
The first session commenced with welcome remarks and an introduction of Prof. James TSIEN by Prof. Yuk Shing CHENG, the Interim Dean of the HKBU School of Business and the session's moderator. Prof. TSIEN, an alumnus who graduated in business management in the 70’s, delivered a captivating sharing titled "A Local Company Turning Global – A Recipe for the Management". Drawing from his extensive experience, Prof. TSIEN shared valuable insights on the factors critical to transforming a local enterprise into a thriving global conglomerate, including the journey of successfully establishing and expanding businesses in developing countries from the ground up. He went beyond sharing his experiences and provided guidance on effectively entering and navigating the challenging landscape of developing markets. His illuminating discourse encompassed vital aspects, including shareholders' perspectives, organisational preparedness, fostering a strong corporate culture, implementing effective recruitment strategies, and carefully considering political dynamics.
The second session featured Prof. Sunny WONG, an alumnus who also studied business management in the 70s. Prof. WONG's topic was "The Journey of Mission Impossible through Servant Leadership". Prof. Xu HUANG, Associate Dean (Research & Impact) of the HKBU Business School, introduced Prof. WONG and moderated the session. The session began with Prof. HUANG posing a profound question about the definition of leadership. Prof. WONG proceeded to captivate the audience by sharing intriguing personal anecdotes from his life and his leadership journey at Carlsberg. He unveiled the influential individuals and life experiences that served as catalysts, inspiring him to cultivate leadership qualities rooted in compassion and empathy. Prof. WONG's willingness to break away from stereotypes set him apart as a forward-thinking leader ready to tackle new challenges. The audience was inspired by his sharing, highlighting the power of servant leadership and its transformative impact on individuals and organizations.
The event ended with Ms. Christine CHOW, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary (VPAS) of HKBU, expressing gratitude by presenting souvenirs to the guest speakers. The memorable moment was captured with a group photo of all the participants, marking a fitting end to the event. The alumni sharing series provided a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and inspiration among students, alumni, and industry professionals.