BUS News

HKBU School of Business, Centre for Human Resources Strategy and Development (CHRSD), the Master of Human Resources Management (MHRM) Programme, and the General Education Office (GEO) co-organised the “Embracing Inclusion in the Workplace Forum” on 14 April 2026, attracting academic staff, students, industry professionals, and community partners. Held on HKBU campus, the forum spotlighted achievements, shared practices, and strengthened the collective commitment to workplace inclusion.

Professor Zhang Han, Dean and Chair Professor of the School of Business, delivered the welcoming remarks to emphasise that building truly inclusive workplaces requires international leadership and ongoing commitment from every sector, especially given the high unemployment rates for people with disabilities. He highlighted the role of education as preparation for nurturing a spirit of responsible citizenship, noting how HKBU’s curriculum and Special Educational Needs (SEN) Unit strive to cultivate social awareness and empathy while empowering all students to reach their full potential.

The keynote address, titled “Beyond Compliance: Leading the Inclusive Organisation in the 21st Century”, was delivered by Dr Wilson Wong, HR Strategist and Adjunct Professor at the School of Business. He provided an overview of the evolution of workplace equality, shifting from voluntary monitoring to a system where employers must anticipate, assess, and prevent systemic failures. He also offered practical insights into how modern Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become a strategic business priority, moving from “intent” to active intervention to remove workplace disadvantages.

A series of sessions followed, beginning with an Employers Showcase featuring senior executives from KMB, Lacoste, and KPMG. The session highlights how organisations embed DEI into their corporate culture and values. It also examines how employers support staff with special needs through inclusive hiring practices, targeted training, and a supportive workplace environment. A subsequent dialogue featuring representatives from The Hong Kong Society for the Blind, Richmond Fellowship of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Society for the Deaf, and the Shared Academy Limited, explored the importance of vocational training and cross-sector collaboration to overcome resource constraints and social biases in the workplace.

The forum concluded with presentations on “Education as Preparation”, featuring Mr Jackal Tse, Student Development Manager of HKBU Office of Student Affairs, and Professor Andrew Kwok, Associate Vice-President (Curriculum and Pedagogies) and Director of General Education of HKBU. Mr Tse outlined how the university supports students with special education needs in both their academic journeys and career preparation through tailored resources. Professor Kwok further illustrated how HKBU’s General Education courses nurture inclusive mindsets and prepare students to promote workplace inclusion as part of the university’s whole-person education agenda.

These engagements underscore the commitment of the School and its partners to fostering meaningful cross-field engagement that transforms ability into a recognised strength in the workplace.