CUBA

Undergraduate Office (UGO) Monthly Announcement – June Issue

Highlight:

Global Business Studies Graduate Employment

The first cohort of GBS students have graduated this year and their employment results were very satisfying. Four out of 13 students were employed by leading international consulting agencies including the Boston Consulting Group while other students were recruited as management trainees in renowned corporations. Nearly all of them were given a salary of over HK$20,000 and a few of them higher than HK$25,000.

Jacky Lui, Steven To and Winnie Sze attended a press interview in June, and shared about their unparalleled learning experience in Global Business Studies and tips to get offers from prestigious consulting agencies. Relevant news clippings are provided below:

Hong Kong Economic Times

Sing Tao Daily

Recent Events:

(A)

Admission and Promotion

Orientation and Heart to Heart Talk for GLOBE Students

Date: 20 June 2008
Time: 9:00am. – 4:30pm

The second cohort of GLOBE students came to Hong Kong and started their summer term at CUHK. The students come from three prestigious schools: 15 students from the Global Business Studies Programme of CUHK, 14 students from Copenhagen Business School and 15 students from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. The total 44 students are now attending lectures focusing on Asian Business and China Marketing. They will also go to Japan to visit companies and explore the business culture there during their Asian Study Trip in July.

The highlight of the orientation was the Heart to Heart Talk by Dr Eden Woon, Managing Director of Toys LiFung (Shanghai) Limited. Dr Woon, who was the former Director of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, delivered an inspiring talk entitled “Globalization – Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities” to the GLOBE students.

Dr. Eden Woon

Front row, 2nd-4th left: Prof. Gordon Cheung, Dr. Eden Woon and Prof. Andrew C.F. Chan

CUBA Students Wins the Championship SCMP/IFPHK Financial Planners Awards 2008

A group consisting of 4 Global Business Studies students – George Lam (Year 3), Junes Shek (Year 1), Anna Shiu (Year 1) and Donald Wong (Year 1) – won the Championship of the SCMP/IFPHK Financial Planner Awards 2008 under the university student category on 6 June 2008. The CUHK team was requested to conduct a case study and give advice to a university student who plans to pursue an MBA degree upon graduation. The CUHK team formulated financial planning strategies including selling of the flat instead of re-mortgaging it, avoiding volatile equity market given the short time-frame provided (3 years), and highlighting the risk management (critical illness, term life, disability income rider) that the university student may have neglected.

Our heartiest congratulations!

From left: Donald Wong, Junes Shek, Anna Shiu and George Lam

“It is a good opportunity to solve the case by integrating theories and practical knowledge in the financial markets. Dealing with multiple issues (E.g. Risk Management, Investment Strategy, Retirement Planning as well as the clients' specific goals and concerns) with a holistic approach has been challenging and I am glad that we are able to make it finally. I am really grateful to work with the team members and I believe we all have learnt much from each other in the previous months. On behalf of our team, I would like to this opportunity to thank Professor Gordon Cheung for his case training and support in recent years,” said George.

Citibank University Banking Course - Study Trip

Four students who were awarded “Outstanding Achievement Awards” under the Citibank University Banking Course participated in a study trip to Shanghai and Singapore in May. The study trip was sponsored by Citibank for the award winners and allowed the students to observe international business practices and cultivate a global mindset.

The recipients of the awards included Mr Lee Chi Chung (Integrated BBA, Year 2), Ms Sun Beibei (Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis, Year 2), Mr Wong Chi Wah (Integrated BBA, Year 2), and Ms Yeung Man Yee (Quantitative Finance, Year 2). All of them found the study trip valuable and inspiring.

Study Abroad Programme

Date: 19 to 23 May 2008
Location: Shanghai , Singapore , Tokyo

Date: 20 to 22 May 2008
Location: Pearl River Delta

Each year, the Study Abroad Programme is arranged for students to offer them a chance to understand the business environments and cultures of countries and cities outside Hong Kong . Four groups of students travelled to different locations in May and explored the management philosophies and operations of select companies and organizations there. The students also made full use of this valuable chance to evaluate the similarities and differences in culture between Hong Kong and other locations.

Below are one participant’s reflections:

"Being a participant of one of the study abroad programs held this year, I found it an enriching and fruitful experience. During the stay in Singapore , we visited a large variety of firms, from local businesses like the Far East Organization, to multinational businesses, such as Cisco, Thomson Reuters and Citibank. The speakers gave us a warm welcome, and shared with us not only about their products and developments, or their formulas of success, but also their insights into the most current issues. After the firm visits, we visited some tourist attractions and enjoyed the scenery in Singapore . We were also given a large degree of freedom to explore the city during our free time. We were impressed by the sincerity of the Singaporeans and their preparation for our visits. I must hereby thank the Faculty for making this possible and also our professor, Professor Fan, for spending his time with us,” said Fong Sze Yuen Cindy (Professional Accountancy, Year 2).

Prof. Dennis Fan of Department of Finance (middle) and other CUBA student in Singapore

Prof. Dennis Fan of Department of Finance (middle) and other CUBA students in Singapore.

Front row, 1st left, 2nd left and 2nd right: Mr. Franko Wong of Department of Decision Sciences and Managerial Economics; Mr. Wong Kin Cheung Ken, Graduate of Professional Accountancy Programme; Mr. Cheuk Chun Wai Simon, Graduate of CUBA.

CUBA Elite Mentorship Programme

John Wong has been under the elite mentorship of Mr Keith Kam, Chief Operating Officer of Ming Pao Holdings Limited. He learnt a lot from Mr Kam in terms of career guidance and personal development.

John describes his experience:

“Joining the CUBA Elite Mentorship Programme has really been an invaluable experience. There are plenty of successful people in the business field willing to devote their time and efforts to share their ideas and experiences with us. I can’t help but remember the night when we had dinner with many of the mentors. They shared their unique views on different social issues and they were eager to make the Programme better. I can tell that they are people with the enthusiasm to contribute their knowledge and give back to society, and thus they are always willing to provide a helpful hand to our development.

I am very honour to have had Mr Keith Kam, the Chief Operating Officer of Ming Pao Holdings Limited, as my mentor. Mr Kam is a very renowned person in the industry. On top of his career success, his achievements in community work are also evident. During a meeting with him in his office in Chai Wan, we spent plenty of time discussing a variety of issues. He shed light on his views on the future development of the increasingly competitive newspaper industry. In addition, he also disclosed his secret of success – being hard working. Being hard working, he mentioned, is the foundation of everything, including but not limit to studying and working. Moreover, he also showed me the proper attitude to society through his own example. Lastly, he even invited me to attend future company meetings.

All in all, I think this Programme has significantly enriched my university life. Not only do I have a better understanding of the business world, I have also learnt a lot from the mentors which was beneficial to my personal growth.”

CUBA Elite Mentorship Programme Summer Gathering

Date: 16 June 2008

A number of elite mentors, mentees and BBA alumni joined the Summer Gathering. Enjoying a relaxed ambience, mentors, mentees and BBA alumni had fun singing karaoke and chatting with each other. Participating elite mentors included Ms Mary Cheung, Mr Vincent Leung, Mr Addy Wong and Ms Kitty Yip. Prof. Stella So also joined the gathering.

From 2nd left: Ms. Kitty Yip, Prof. Stella So, Ms. Mary Cheung and Mr Addy Wong.

"The karaoke gathering on Monday evening was not only a chance for mentors and mentees to relax, but also a golden opportunity for us to exchange our experiences or exposures in the last few months. Through casual conversations with other mentees, I found out much more about the internship programs they have joined, enabling me to better prepare for the potential challenges I may encounter when I am working as an intern. Furthermore, I truly appreciate the enthusiasm of the Elite Mentors. Although my mentor, Mr. Albert Kwok, was out of town, the other mentors were more than happy to share their resources so that I could also benefit substantially from the activities they proposed. For example, elite mentees were invited to join Miss Mary Cheung’s etiquette workshops, which were highly conducive to our personal development as well as future career. The evening with all the elites was enjoyable and at the same time constructive. I am proud to be one of the elite mentees,” said Jane Hui.

Article Hong Kong Economic Journ

On 15 March 2008, CUBA in collaboration with the FinMan Committee of HKSAR Government organized the FinMan Conference. The Conference aimed to explore forthcoming human resources challenges in the financial services sector of Hong Kong. Professor K. C. Chan, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, was the keynote speaker and his speech was recapped in the Hong Kong Economic Journal. Please click here for details

(B)

Admissions and Promotions

Admission Interview for JUPAS Applicants under SPN and SSS

A series of admission interviews were conducted in mid June for JUPAS applicants seeking admission under the School Principals’ Nomination (SPN) and Sports Scholarship Scheme (SSS). SPN and SSS applicants’ non-academic achievements were taken into account when the Faculty considered their applications for admission. Conditional offers or firm offers were made via the University’s Office of Admissions and Financial Aid to suitable applicants in late June

(C)

Quality Assurance

Symposium on “Quality Education Quality Outcomes – The Way Forward for Hong Kong” as organized by the Task Force on Outcome-based Approaches in Student Learning, the University Grants Committee

Date: 18 June 2008
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Jockey Club Auditorium, Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Task Force on Outcome-based Approaches in Student Learning as formed under the aegis of the University Grants Committee (UGC) organized the Symposium on “Quality Education Quality Outcomes – The Way Forward for Hong Kong” on 18 June 2008. Prof. Andrew C.F. Chan, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies), Prof. YF Chow of the Department of Finance, and Dr Alice Chui of the School of Accountancy, together with the administrative staff of the Undergraduate Office, Department of Finance, and two student representatives attended this event. During the Symposium, renowned international and local academics shared their thoughts on “outcome-based approaches” in student learning with participants from the local higher education institutions. The experience and insights shared at the Symposium were conducive to the preparation for the Outcomes-based Approach (OBA) Roadmap for the BA Faculty which is now well under way. Details of the Symposium are available at http://outcomes.ugc.edu.hk/index.html.

Panel of speakers of the Symposium

III.

Upcoming Events:

Faculty Tea Reception

Date: 28 August 2008
Time: 5:45pm – 7:00pm
Venue: to be confirmed

To extend our warmest welcome to new business students, the Faculty Tea Reception has been arranged. It is a valuable occasion for Faculty members and new students to meet each other and foster good teacher-student relationships. Prof. Joseph Yam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, is invited as the honourable speaker

BBA-JD Field Trip

Date: 24 – 27 August 2008
Location: Singapore (tentative)

BBA-JD year 2 students will participate in a field trip in late August 2008. The trip will reinforce the knowledge they learnt in the classroom and enhance their understanding as pertains to the jurisdiction and legal system in the business context.

IV.

Alumni Achievement:

Prof. Michael Hui Appointed as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK

Prof. Michael King-man Hui has been appointed as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University for two years from 1 January 2009, succeeding Prof. P.W. Liu.

Prof. Michael King-man Hui is currently Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Marketing of the University. He obtained his BBA degree from CUHK in 1980 and his Ph.D. degree from the London Business School in 1988. Prof. Hui had held academic appointments at institutions in the UK and Canada prior to joining CUHK in 1996. In 1999–2002, he was Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Business of CUHK. He became Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University in 2004 and, in that capacity, managed campus development projects and oversaw various administrative units of the University, including the Campus Development Office, the Estates Management Office, and the Chinese University Press.

Our heartiest congratulations!