Partnering with Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and the AICPA & CIMA, Venture into Future Career (VFC) was first introduced in 2020 and served as an exclusive programme for HKU Business School’s Undergraduate Students.
The VFC Programme aims to support our future young talents in the following:
Providing career advice and coaching to students; and
Sparking career-oriented conversation between students and seasoned industry leaders; and
Helping students obtain industry’s first-hand information, identify career interests, develop and plan their career in future
During the last 3 VFC cohorts, we have nurtured a total of 115 students from the Faculty. Under the professional guidance of Faculty members, seasonal speakers and industry leaders, as well as the practicum opportunities offered by start-ups at Cyberport, students have obtained valuable insights and are better equipped for their continuous exploration of future careers.
On October 5 2023, The Venture into Future Career Programme 2023-24 Opening Ceremony in HKU iCube to welcome its 4th cohort and celebrate this important moment with our dedicated programme partners. In this new cohort, a total of 50 students from 9 programmes have been selected. All students are thrilled and excited to embark on their journey to receive guidance and training as well as meet with seasonal business practitioners from different industries.
Group picture with guests and VFC 2023-24 students
(Left to Right)
Mr. Paulus Chau, Director, Hong Kong and Emerging Markets, AICPA&CIMA
Ir. Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited
Dr. Olivia Leung, Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning), HKU Business School
Dr. Derek Chan, Associate Dean (Undergraduate), HKU Business School
Dr. Darron Sun, Head of Information Technology, Hong Kong Housing Society
Dr. Eddie Pong, Founder, Rivermap Quantitative Research
Mr. Arnold Chan, Co-founder & CTO, Aereve *On behalf of Mr. Andre Leung, CEO and Co-founder of Aereve (Regtech & ESG startup)
Dr. Winnie Leung, Assistant Dean (Undergraduate), HKU Business School
Group photo of all participated company representatives
Professor Echo Wan, Associate Dean (MBA) delivered a welcoming speech to all participating employers.
Prof. Echo WAN, Associate Dean (MBA) and Dr. Derek CHAN, Associate Dean (Undergraduate) joined the fair on behalf of the HKU Business School and present Souvenir to appreciate the support from all employer representatives.
The HKU Business School Career Fair was successfully held on 26 September 2023 (Tuesday). The fairwas an extraordinary event and exclusive for Business School Students where all together over 60 renowned companies and more than 100 HR executives and industry experts. Under the theme of “Investing in HKU Business School’s Global Talent – Engage & Excel!”, the event aimed to provide all HKUBS students with unparalleled opportunities to connect, engage, and excel in their future careers.
To better fulfil the diverse career aspirations of each students, the school’s Career Development and Training team invited corporate partners from a wide range of industries to the fair, including asset management, banking, consulting, finance, fintech, investment, professional services, luxury retail and real estate. Meanwhile, global conglomerates offering e-commerce services, consumer goods and services, data and software services, internet technology services, technology promotion and application services, digital automation and energy management, among others, also attended the 2023’s event.
The HKU Business School Career Fair not only provided an avenue for networking but also facilitated the exchange of ideas and knowledge. It is delighted to see that each students seized this unique opportunity to interact with professionals, gain insights into various industries, stay abreast of emerging trends and build meaningful connections that could shape their career journeys. On the event day, over 1,000 students, ranging from undergraduates to postgraduates, attended the fair to mingle with company representatives and explore career opportunities.
Students seize the opportunity to interact with recruiters and industry professionals from various renowned firms.
Furthermore, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to each of the corporate partners who support in the Career Fair and provided valuable industry information and sharing with our students. The presence and active involvement made the event truly exceptional, creating an environment of collaboration and growth. Stay tuned for our future events and initiatives that will further empower our students and nurture future business talents!
The EY Young Tax Professional of the Year is an international competition designed to reward young talents and foster the next generation of tax leaders. As one of the yearly highlights of EY Hong Kong, the competition provides an opportunity for students to share experiences with people from a range of backgrounds and cultures. By bringing together different ideas and students from all over the world, the competition aims to demonstrate how much the tax profession has changed today and how business is managed in different cultures.
The first phase of the competition took place in Hong Kong. During the first round, shortlisted participants were challenged with their technical abilities and wider commercial strengths. The Hong Kong finalists were invited to join the Greater China final.
First-runner up: Mr. LAU Chun Ho Darren, BBA(Acc&Fin), Year 4 (2nd left)
Second-runner up: Ms. LAM Sin Yu, BBA(Acc&Fin), Year 3 (1st left)
Students Sharing:
“We were plunged into the semi-final and final phases of the competition in the latter half of April. This challenged our time management prowess, particularly for those in the twilight of their academic endeavours. Within a diverse assembly of students from multiple universities, the contest emphasised both our individual competencies and collaborative undertakings. The initial and final rounds examined our grasp of profit tax, permanent establishment, and DTA, alongside our presentation skills and analytical acumen. The semi-final, in contrast, focused on our ability to flourish as a united force, exemplifying adaptability, accountability, and productivity.
The confluence of inter-university collaboration and randomised groupings, coupled with strict time limitations and the mandate for each participant’s contribution to the presentation, created an invigorating experience. This impelled us not only to probe further into the tax consequences of complex decisions but also to reevaluate our approach to fostering enhanced coordination and communication within our teams to achieve outstanding outcomes ahead of deadlines.
Throughout the competition, we forged friendships and shared insights with like-minded individuals, creating a lasting bond that extended beyond the contest itself. The preparation for the group presentation and the subsequent exchange of ideas contributed to our intellectual growth. As the final individual presentation unfolded, we faced a tempest of pressure, our resolve tested by the case and impromptu inquiries from the judges’ discerning gaze. Composure was crucial to overcoming these real-life challenges.
Beyond the allure of the cash prize and the honour of representing Hong Kong in the Greater China final, the internship offer with EYHK presented an invaluable chance to explore the tax industry further. The EY Young Tax Professional of the Year 2023 was a defining moment in our university lives, as it allowed us to apply critical thinking to complex, cross-border tax issues and showcase our insights before esteemed professionals. This rewarding journey not only broadened our understanding of the international tax landscape but also granted us a platform to showcase our abilities and potential. In essence, we eagerly anticipate building upon this foundation to evolve into world-class, game-changing professionals.”
(By LAU Chun Ho Darren)
“Throughout the course of the contest, I was not only challenged to demonstrate my theoretical expertise but also encouraged to apply my creativity and critical thinking skills in order to identify beneficial tax structures, thoroughly investigate potential tax risks, and develop strategic tax planning proposals that effectively enhance tax efficiency for clients. Engaging in this competition has proven to be an enriching experience, significantly deepening my comprehension of the multifaceted tax implications that arise in diverse scenarios.
The competition places significant emphasis on fostering collaborative teamwork and individual presentations, both during the semi-final and final rounds, providing me with invaluable opportunities to refine my communication and presentation skills. It has played a pivotal role in strengthening my ability to be a strong player in a team, fostering a sense of camaraderie and collective accomplishment. The final round of the competition, in particular, stands out as a challenging yet rewarding experience, as it requires candidates to not only possess exceptional analytical acumen but also deliver a well-crafted proposal slide within a limited timeframe, all while impromptu inquiries from the panel of judges. This experience has tested my ability to think on my feet, further developing my problem-solving skills and enhancing my capacity to handle unexpected challenges.
Furthermore, the competition has served as a true test of my multitasking capabilities and time management skills. As the competition coincided with my preparations for the final examinations, which were scheduled for early May, I was required to strike a delicate balance between dedicating ample time and effort towards both endeavours. This experience has honed my ability to effectively manage my time, prioritize tasks, and maintain a high level of performance in the face of competing demands.
I am immensely grateful for the generous sponsorship provided by EY Partner, Ada Ma, as well as for the invaluable teaching on Hong Kong Taxation that I received from Dr. Christina Ng at HKU Business School. Participating in this esteemed contest has not only deepened my understanding of the ever-evolving landscape of tax policies but has also facilitated the development of essential skills that are indispensable for a successful career in the field of professional advisory services.”
The 100WF Hong Kong JumpStart University Investment Hackathon brought together female university students to participate in a stock picking challenge focused on the consumer sector. It simulated the role of an investment analyst, where students conducted research and presented their findings to portfolio managers. The competition simulated the real-world workflow of investment analysts, from researching and analyzing stocks to presenting conviction ideas to decision makers. The hackathon was part of the 100 Women in Finance Investment Hackathon initiative, with a focus on empowering young women aspiring to be finance professionals.
Ms. TJANDRA Kezia Eugenie, BEcon&Fin, Year 2 (2nd right)
(2 other team members were students from TheBachelor of Engineering in Data Science and Engineering, HKU)
Students Sharing:
“The hands-on nature of this event provided an invaluable learning experience for our team. Through the experience, we particularly learned to be agile and adaptive in light of new data. During the one-on-one company meeting, we received updated information that requires us to revise our investment thesis and valuation model on The Fly. We thereby need to effectively synthesize the new details into our viewpoint and modify the rationale based on the latest developments, which actually mirrors the need to be nimble in the real-world financial market. Furthermore, the tight presentation timeframe really challenged our team to master concise, compelling storytelling. We had a comprehensive investment thesis discussion but could not cover everything, so learning how to deliver the pitch into a focused narrative arc was critical. We also had to visualize a lot of information into meaningful models and graphics to enhance presentation clarity. Due to this, we gained skills in emphasizing key turning points and bringing ideas to life through vivid models. Overall, this experience really strengthened our critical thinking skills to rapidly process information, recognize implications, visualize and organize information, as well as craft compelling narratives. I am truly grateful for this experience, and I am super excited for the ones coming in the future.”
(By TJANDRA Kezia Eugenie)
“This investment hackathon was truly an interesting event, as not only did we get the chance to refine our stock pitching skills, from conducting due diligence and financial modelling, but we were also able to partake in a real-life management meeting, duplicating a real-life situation as an investment analyst. That mock meeting was definitely a highlight as it felt so real trying to probe for more details while also defending our perspective.
When the breaking news hit during our strategy session, it really tested how well we could adapt on the spot. We faced so much pressure to pull together all the information into a powerful pitch within just 40 minutes. It was definitely an intense and valuable experience to present to and field questions of the judges in such pressing time. Most importantly, we learned so much on adaptive thinking, articulating an investment case, and working as a team under pressure. Nevertheless, this competition has definitely strengthened my interest in working in finance in the future and I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in such an insightful event.”
The HKU team “Lighthouse Capital” won first runner-up in the Polymer Capital Management Intervarsity ESG Case Challenge 2023. Team members are Adrian Chung (BSc(QFin) – Year 3), Huey Lee (BBA(IBGM) – Year 3) and Kelvin Cheung (BEcon&Fin – Year 3).
The Case Challenge attracted over 80 team applications from universities in Hong Kong and Singapore. Over 20 HKU teams registered and 6 of which were shortlisted for the HKU Round 1 competition which was held in August. Each team was assigned an industry mentor to provide guidance to the team to navigate the process. “Lighthouse Capital” was the Champion Team and represented HKU in the Final Round of the Case Challenge.
Participants – Adrian, Huey and Kelvin (third, fourth and fifth from left), together with Professor Anna Wong (second from right), Programme Director of Bachelor of Finance in Asset Management and Private Banking, Mr Anthony Cheung (first from right) from Polymer and the panel judges
The Final Round of the Polymer Intervarsity ESG Case Challenge was held online on 22nd September with five teams, each representing Nanyang Technological University Singapore, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, National University of Singapore, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The University of Hong Kong.
The HKU Team “Lighthouse Capital” presented a long/short fund that focuses on the energy and healthcare sectors in the Asia Pacific Region. The team came second to the National University of Singapore.
Adrian, Huey and Kelvin presenting the long/short fund in final round
A big Congrats to the HKU Team – Adrian, Huey and Kelvin.
We would like to express our gratitude to Polymer for organizing the event and the judges who gave valuable feedback to the teams. We would also like to give our vote of thanks to Professor Anna Wong and our mentors who have given tremendous support to the teams during the journey.
Co-organised by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Private Wealth Management Association (PWMA), the Pilot Apprenticeship Programme For Private Wealth Management Programmehas provided training and hands-on experience at a participating PWMA member firm to undergraduate university students in Hong Kong interested in a potential career in private wealth management. Since 2017, over 100 HKU Business School students have participated in different summer apprenticeship opportunities at renowned private wealth management firms, including but not limited to Citibank, EFG Bank, Goldman Sachs and Standard Chartered Bank.
To celebrate the achievements of the sixth batch of programme graduates, a Graduation Appreciation Drinks was hosted by the PWMA on 4 August 2023 at the Hong Kong Bankers Club.
Dr. Winnie Leung, Assistant Dean (Undergraduate) has attended the appreciation drink on behalf of HKU Business School and met with our HKU Business School alumni and current students to learn more about their past experience from the Programme.
Below are the abstract of sharing by 2 interns from HKU Business School about their rewarding chapters from the Pilot Apprenticeship Programme For Private Wealth Management.
Chow Ming Ka, Sunshine | BFin(AMPB)
Employer: Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd. (2022 intake)
“The front-to-end experience during the internship provided me with a greater grasp of the organizational structure and operations of a private bank. I got a lot of opportunities to connect with seniors, even colleagues located in other countries. I really enjoy the culture of the bank where everyone is approachable and willing to spare time out of their schedules to share their experience in the private banking industry with me.”
Dr. Winnie Leung, Assistant Dean (Undergraduate) (Second left) and Gordon Wong, Class of 2022 (Middle)
Wong Ho Shing, Gordon | Class of 2022, BBA(Law)&LLB
Employer: Deutsche Bank (2 consecutive summer in 2020 and 2021)
“Returned to Deutsche Bank as an Investment Advisor, I am glad to have interned at Deutsche Bank through PWMA Apprenticeship Programme. The consecutive summer internships really helped me gain a deep-dive understanding about the wealth management industry in Hong Kong and its prosperous growth, but also enabled me to enhance my knowledge on various investment products across asset class like equity, bonds, funds, structured products and discretionary portfolio. Working with different Relationship Managers, Investment Advisors, Product Specialists, as well as other supporting staffs from front office and middle office, I have better realized the features and challenges of their roles. This further reinforced my passion in the markets and aroused my interest in starting my private banking career as an Investment Advisor.”
Moving forward, HKU Business School will continue collaboration with Private Wealth Management Association (PWMA) to nurture more young talent for the Private Wealth Management Industry.
Deloitte Digital Camp 2023 provided an excellent platform for digital talents to showcase their skills and learn from industry leaders. Since its launch in 2017, ten of thousands of students have participated in the competition.
This year, the Camp focused on the commercialization of AI technology, where students and their mentors explored ways to maximize the commercial value of AI. The competition began with an online test as first-round screening. Eligible students were invited to the semi-final round and attended mentor sharing sessions to match with their preferred mentor, submit the corresponding topic assignment, and confirm their team selection. Upon team formation, the mentors led their own team and helped prepare its members for the final round.
In the final round, teams competed for the top three places by showcasing their skills and knowledge in AI technology commercialization.
Mr. Lau Pak Hei, BBA(Law)&LLB, Year 4 (1 other team member from HKU Postgraduate Programme and 3 other team members from other universities)
Students Sharing:
“Deloitte Digital Camp 2023 is a truly precious opportunity for me to work with students from different APAC countries, from diverse disciplines, and speaking different languages. During the competition, I gained a lot of insight into generative AI technology and how it could be integrated into different industries and business models to create value. This Challenge gave me the opportunity to interact and network with like-minded students, Deloitte mentors, and industry professionals. Despite having a tight deadline, our team was able to delegate tasks according to each of our own strengths and come up with a feasible business solution and captivating presentation. Without doubt, the diversity of disciplines inside the team and supportive and knowledgeable mentors contributed to our team’s eventual success in the competition.”
The BOCHK Challenge 2023 is a fintech innovation case challenge hosted by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) and co-organized by Huawei, Microsoft, HKPC, and HKMA-ASTRI Fintech Innovation Hub. The challenge aimed to provide a platform for young innovators to showcase their creative ideas and foster an environment of creativity. The theme this year was “Pioneering in Technology, Ignite the Future”, which covered five major technological disciplines, including Insurtech, Investech, Fintech, Regtech, and Greentech.
The challenge consisted of two rounds, starting with the proposal submission. The committee selected the top 10 teams to participate in the workshops and compete for the awards of the challenge in the Final Round. Selected teams were required to submit presentation materials and pitch their ideas to the panel of judges and peers on-site. The BOCHK Challenge 2023 provided a great opportunity for young innovators to unleash their creative prowess and spark novel ideas that could shape the future of technology.
Ms. Yan Yu, BEcon&Fin, Year 3 Ms. Shum Wa Ching, BBA(Acc&Fin), Year 2 Mr. Wong Yin Ki, BBA(Acc&Fin), Year 3 Ms. He Ye, BBA(Acc&Fin), Year 2
From left to right: Ms. Shum Wa Ching, Mr. Wong Yin Ki, Ms. Yan Yu and Ms. He Ye
Students Sharing:
“This challenge truly provided a stage for us to elevate our leadership potential in this digital era and unleash our creative prowess within the financial industry. Through rigorous research and intensive brainstorming, we were able to delve deeply into ESG-related topics, leveraging the power of trending technologies to formulate our innovative yet feasible strategy. I also gained inspiration from the detailedness of strategies developed by other Fintech start-up entrepreneurs and university students. Clinching the Bronze Award in Innovative Design with my team was rewarding. In addition, I am particularly grateful for all the insightful feedback and support offered by our faculty advisor, Dr. Winnie Leung, and our BOCHK mentor, Mr. Daniel Li.”
(By YAN Yu)
“As a participant in the BOCHK Challenge 2023, I was responsible for the situation analysis of customer pain points and the recommendation of our strategy. This task involved a deep dive into understanding the needs and challenges faced by customers in managing their finances. I conducted extensive research and analysis to identify key pain points. The experience was highly rewarding as it allowed me to apply my analytical skills to a real-world problem and propose a solution that could potentially improve the financial well-being of diverse customers.”
(By HE Ye)
“My biggest takeaway from this challenge is learning how to combine financial technology and real-life events in an innovative way. Besides, by researching ESG-related topics and local regulations deeply, I also gained valuable insights on how to integrate ESG-related issues and applications into the banking industry. Overall, this challenge allowed me to explore various technological options and study how to incorporate them into the finance industry.”
(By WONG Yin Ki)
“Participating in the BOCHK Challenge 2023 was an amazing learning experience for our team. It provided us with the opportunity to learn about the latest trends in financial technology and challenged us to create innovative technological solutions for BOCHK, which prompted us to explore new knowledge and brainstorm intensively. It was also very eye-opening to learn from other start-up teams and university students’ innovative ideas; all other teams had very impressive work. Winning the Bronze Award of Innovative Design in the challenge was a great achievement and recognition for us, and it has encouraged me to dive deeper into the world of technological solutions for the financial industry.”
The HKU Business School introduced the Business Consulting Practicum (BCP) in 2008 to offer students the hands-on experience of working with business clients to solve “real-life” problems related to their studies. In the past 14 years, the school partnered with over 100 client companies and professional mentors in this BCP programme, nurturing more than 500 student consultants. This year, in its 15th anniversary, the professional industry network has continued to grow. In particular, a tripartite synergy formed by 8 client companies from different industries(e.g. financial services, technology solutions, personal care products, pet food, etc.), 8 mentors with different professional backgrounds and a batch of 32 student consultants from HKU Business School are being nurtured with an intensive and rewarding experience in business consulting.
The BCP 2023 has been successfully conducted and well received by all Clients and Mentors; in particular, all student consultant teams received high praise and appreciation for their stunning deliverables and dedication throughout the 4-week practicum. Although most of the student consultants are fresh to consulting-related work, it is delightful to see all teams work together and are always passionate about going the extra mile for the benefit of their Clients. Below is one of the appreciation testimonials proving the construction and meaningful tripartite collaboration in BCP 2023.
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“Participating in BCP is the most shining and valuable experience in our freshman year. With the all-around support from the faculty and mentor Maggie, we treasured our consulting practicum experience with our client INNOTIER, which broadened our horizons and acquired new knowledge and solid skill sets”
Student Consulting team – “Greenback”
Tony Liu | BBA(Acc&Fin)
Chloe Yin |BEcon&Fin
Sophia Wang | BEcon&Fin
Leo Xu | BBA(BA)
“Working with Greenback has been valuable not only for the students but for us as clients too. The students gave feasible and realistic expansion strategies and they’ve been proactive with their questions and really got to understand our brand. Great work!”
Project Client | INNOTIER
“It was a great experience to work with Greenback. They were proactive on questions, and act in a timely manner and reported changes promptly in the weekly meetings. I was impressed by their desire to learn new things, accept others’ perspectives, and be responsive to suggestions and constructive criticism.”
Industry Mentor | Ms. Maggie Ching
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The BCP 2023 was positively concluded on July 15 with a closing ceremony cum appreciation luncheon at the HKU iCube. All teams have treasured their moment to thank all Clients, Mentors and Faculty members who supported their learning and growth during the whole chapter of practicum. Besides the practical knowledge and skills gained through this process, the nurturing of team spirit and professionalism as a future leader is also remarkable and treasured by all student consultants.
The HKSI Institute Case Competition 2023 is a business competition organized by the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI). The competition aims to provide an unique opportunity for students to develop their careers in the financial industry. Since its launch in 2004, the Case Competition (previously known as the Scholarship Programme), has provided the opportunity to more than 800 university students to develop their career in the financial industry.
This year, the competition focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, and required students to complete three rounds: ESG Research Project, ESG Research Case Study and Panel Interview.
“Participating in the HKSI Case Competition was a challenging yet rewarding experience for our team. Throughout this four-month journey, we were challenged in various ways. In the first round, we were asked to develop a climate disclosure framework for our project sponsor, HKEX. We then designed a DEI programme for an energy company in the semi-final round. Lastly, we were tested on our knowledge of ESG in the panel discussion. Importantly, this competition allowed us to develop a more comprehensive understanding of ESG reporting. We’re grateful for the guidance provided by our project sponsor, Ms. Kelly Lee from HKEX. We’d like to extend our gratitude to the panel of expert judges for their valuable feedback.”
(By Team ESGers)
“As the only individual among the finalists, I have to say I had the privilege to independently go through the entire process of proposing an initiative for a real-life business, acquiring transferable case analysis skills in ESG and beyond. Besides improving my technical skills, this competition is also a process of accumulating my knowledge and understanding of ESG practices. I believe that our efforts, no matter how small, can make a difference and contribute to a better tomorrow. I am proud to be part of the revolution that promotes sustainability through commercial means. All in all, it is an exciting and rewarding journey, and I would like to thank HKSI for organizing such an event.
I feel honored and excited to work with my project sponsor, BC Technology Group. The experience was valuable and inspiring for my personal career development, not only because it allowed me to propose an ESG strategy as a consultant but more importantly the opportunity to learn more about the digital asset industry. The materials and guidance provided by BC Technology Group enabled me to conduct research into the intersection of technology and finance, as well as how fintech may be used to serve ESG objectives in the industry. Looking into the future, I will definitely be willing to learn about the latest developments in how technology revolutionized financial services and also about the leading companies in this field, like BC Technology Group.”
