BUS News
HKBU School of Business Signs MoU with Guangzhou Cloud Butterfly Technology to Enhance AI and Business Education
25 Aug, 2026
Audacity Founder and alumnus Leo Lau (left) is joined by an HKBU staff member (centre) wearing the School polo shirt, alongside Audacity Operations Director Keith Tang (right), a current student in HKBU’s Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Integrated Communication Management, also in the School polo shirt.
On 25 August 2026, HKBU School of Business signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Guangzhou Cloud Butterfly Technology Co., Ltd. (Cloud Butterfly Tech). The partnership aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) and business education, with a particular focus on providing students with hands-on, real-world learning opportunities.
The MoU was formally signed by Professor Zhang Han, Dean and Chair Professor of the School and Dr Tian Xuesong, Founder and CEO of Cloud Butterfly Technology. The ceremony was witnessed by key representatives from both institutions. From the School, attendees included Professor Chang Song, Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems (MMIS); Professor Li Mengxiang, Programme Director of the Master of Science in AI for Business (MScAIB) and Associate Professor of MMIS; Professor Christy Cheung, Director of the Research Office and Chair Professor of MMIS; Dr Zhao Liang, Assistant Professor of MMIS; Dr Zeng Jicheng, Assistant Professor of MMIS; Dr Song Qingping, Research Assistant Professor of MMIS; Dr Liu Ruiqi, Research Assistant Professor of MMIS; and Dr Zhang Yusen, Lecturer of MMIS. Representing Cloud Butterfly Technology were Ms Zhao Qing, Vice President; Mr Luo Chongjian, Vice President; and Ms Wang Menghan, Director of Public Relations.
The collaboration establishes a framework to bridge academic learning with industry practice for students of the MScAIB programme. A key initiative is the co-establishment of “HKBU MSc in AI for Business and Cloud Butterfly Technology Joint Industry-Academia-Research Lab”, a joint industry-academia laboratory in Guangzhou’s Haizhu District, which will serve as a base for student internships, research, project development, and entrepreneurship activities.
Under the partnership, students will benefit from company visits to Cloud Butterfly Tech, gaining direct exposure to AI industry operations and commercial applications. The two parties will co-develop curriculum modules that integrate real-world industry cases, with Cloud Butterfly Tech nominating scientists and senior executives to serve as industry mentors. Students will also have opportunities to participate in practical training through co-organised competitions, including hackathons and innovation challenges, as well as workshops and hands-on projects.
“The positioning of our programme is very clear: we aim to cultivate leaders who can bridge artificial intelligence and business innovation, and create tangible impact for organisations,” said Professor Li Mengxiang. “We are not training pure algorithm engineers, nor are we training managers who only talk about concepts. We want to develop individuals who understand both the technical logic of AI and the underlying logic of business.”
Mr Luo Chongjian also noted, “Having deep roots in the industry we have always held one core conviction: embodied intelligence must not remain a theoretical demonstration in the laboratory. It must enter real business scenarios to run tasks, accumulate data, iterate, and evolve. The real world is the best training ground for embodied intelligence. Looking ahead, we are committed to building the next generation of industrial productivity.”
The signing ceremony was followed by a luncheon where faculty members and industry representatives further discussed collaboration opportunities, including joint research and contributing to the broader AI ecosystem in the Greater Bay Area. In addition to the delegates from the signing ceremony, the luncheon was also joined by Professor Monique Wan, Associate Dean (Taught Postgraduate Studies) of the School.
About Guangzhou Cloud Butterfly Technology Co., Ltd.
Established in 2019 and based in Guangzhou's Pazhou AI and Digital Economy Zone, Cloud Butterfly Tech is an AI enterprise focusing on foundation models, intelligent agents, and embodied intelligence. The company provides full-stack solutions from research and development to real-world deployment, serving over 4,000 B2B clients. It is recognised as a National High-Tech Enterprise and a leading AI chain enterprise in Guangdong Province.