On 20 March, our Undergraduate Students and Alumni Mixer Event 2026 brought together curious students and engaging alumni for an evening filled with learning, insights, and meaningful connections. We sincerely thank our alumni and students who participated with enthusiasm and a shared eagerness to prepare for their future careers. A special thanks to Mr. John Mullally from Robert Walters, who provided valuable market insights and career transition strategies, helping both students and alumni stay future-ready. We also extend our gratitude to Carlos Chai and Rex Lee for inspiring us with their job hunting stories and journeys toward finding their careers. We’re glad to have a robust alumni network and their support towards our current students. The evening concluded with a lively networking session, where new connections were made and ideas exchanged in a vibrant atmosphere. A truly valuable night for all and we look forward to more sharing, mentoring and networking opportunities for our community.
Teams of four current undergraduate students, Ms. Natalie Hung [Year 5 – BBA(Law)&LLB], Mr. Benson Lau [(Year 4 BBA(IBGM), Mr. Spencer Paddy [Year 5 – BBA(Law)&LLB], and Ms. Joy Sun [Year 4 -BEcon&Fin] – have been selected by the Faculty as student representatives to attend the Beta Gamma Sigma Leadership Conference 2026, held at IQS School of Management from February 23-24, 2026.
During the two-day conference, BGS student participants across various BGS Chapters engaged in a rich blend of professional development, cultural exploration, and community impact. The event kicks off with a high‑energy keynote by Katja Schleicher on Conversational Intelligence — a standout session showing how communication fluency, not just expertise, drives career advancement across cultures and leadership levels. Participants also explored leading through disruption with Professor Fredrik Hacklin, and learned how gamification and storytelling with Dr. Oscar García Pañella can transform motivation and change management. A thought‑provoking session on conscious, values‑driven leadership by Dr. Cristina Giménez Thomsen added depth, while a compelling panel on Antoni Gaudí bridged architecture, innovation, and spiritual creativity. The conference concluded with the heart‑warming BGS Gives Back community initiative — rounding out a truly enriching leadership experience.
Below are the appreciation testimonials from our student participants, highlighting the valuable insights and takeaways they gained from their participation in this transformative conference:
“The BGS Leadership Conference was brief but transformative. Katja Schleicher reframed communication: we all live in “conversation bubbles”, so real connection means opening small windows — showing vulnerability and offering introductions beyond titles. She also contrasted the safety of writing with the courage required to speak. The Gaudí panel reinforced visionary, relational leadership: aligning daily work to a shared “cathedral” turns tasks into mission; leadership is both born and made. A rapid team case put these ideas into practice. Barcelona itself — stepping into the Sagrada Familia, sharing late‑night tapas — deepened the theme of connection. I left with clearer purpose, practical habits, and a renewed commitment to lead with empathy and vision.”
Ms. Natalie Hung | BBA(Law)&LLB Year 5, Academic Year 2025-26
“The BGS Leadership Conference was brief but transformative. Katja Schleicher reframed communication: we all live in “conversation bubbles”, so real connection means opening small windows—showing vulnerability and offering introductions beyond titles. She also contrasted the safety of writing with the courage required to speak. The Gaudí panel reinforced visionary, relational leadership: aligning daily work to a shared “cathedral” turns tasks into mission; leadership is both born and made. A rapid team case put these ideas into practice. Barcelona itself—stepping into the Sagrada Familia, sharing late‑night tapas—deepened the theme of connection. I left with clearer purpose, practical habits, and a renewed commitment to lead with empathy and vision.”
Mr. Benson Lau | BBA(IBGM) Year 4, Academic Year 2025-26
“Upon receiving the invitation to the BGS Barcelona Conference, I was immediately intrigued: a funded trip to Barcelona, an opportunity to represent HKU Business School, and the chance to meet like‑minded peers worldwide. I was delighted to be selected following the interview. The conference equipped me with a practical toolkit for my career: conversational intelligence, adaptable leadership, meaningful storytelling, and ethical decision‑making. It also fostered lasting relationships. A standout moment was “BGS Gives Back”, where we created handmade bookmarks with encouraging messages for local youth — an uplifting reminder to inspire hope and serve our communities.”
Mr. Spencer Paddy | BBA(Law)&LLB Year 5, Academic Year 2025-26
“Representing HKU Business School at the BGS Leadership Conference was both an honour and a responsibility. The programme strengthened cross‑cultural collaboration, sharpened my communication skills, and deepened my understanding of leadership as a disciplined practice rooted in awareness, discernment, and courage. Beyond the formal sessions, exchanging perspectives with peers from diverse academic, professional, and cultural backgrounds affirmed the value of international platforms in shaping globally minded leaders. I am sincerely grateful to Beta Gamma Sigma and HKU Business School for enabling our participation in such an enriching experience. I look forward to sharing these insights within the HKU community and contributing to initiatives that promote thoughtful, responsible, and globally minded leadership.”
Ms. Joy Sun | BEcon&Fin Year 4, Academic Year 2025-26
Photo recaps about the BGS Regional Leadership Conference 2026 in Barcelona, Spain
Beta Gamma Sigma is The International Business Honor Society recognising and honouring top performing students from around the world in business schools accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). The Beta Gamma Sigma HKU Chapter was established in 2012.
Members of Beta Gamma Sigma are the top 10% of undergraduate students, the top 20% of graduate students and all doctoral candidates who have successfully defended their dissertations at an AACSB-accredited business school. Besides giving recognitions to outstanding students, Beta Gamma Sigma also awards business veterans with exceptional leadership as Chapter Honorees in the annual Induction Ceremony.
Since its founding in 1913, Beta Gamma Sigma has inducted more than 900,000 outstanding students into membership worldwide. With more than 600 collegiate chapters and lifetime members from over 190 countries, Beta Gamma Sigma is truly a global network.
The HKU Business School buzzed with energy and a spirit of collaboration as it hosted its Annual Reception with the Dean for Student Associations on March 3, 2026. The event brought together undergraduate student leaders and senior academic members for insightful dialogue, innovative ideas, and strengthened partnerships, all aimed at enriching the undergraduate experience.
Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of HKU Business School, expressed his appreciation to all executive members from the four student associations for stepping forward as leaders within the undergraduate community. He encouraged student leaders to remain adaptable in all circumstances and to embrace opportunities and challenges with an open mind. He urged students to stay attuned to industry and business developments rooted in Hong Kong, while also thinking beyond Hong Kong—particularly by embracing AI and considering how it will shape future career exploration for undergraduates. With this understanding, student associations should design and deliver suitable initiatives to prepare their members for what lies ahead.
The reception continued with engaging presentations of annual plans by representatives from four dynamic associations: the Business and Economics Association (BEA), the Business Association (BA), the Economics and Finance Society (EFS), and the International Students Society (ISS). Their passion and forward‑thinking initiatives showcased the diverse interests and growing leadership within our student body. Each presentation concluded with interactive discussions on topics of interest to the respective associations—for example, fostering student innovation, seeking academic perspectives on priority areas for business students, and promoting synergy between local and non‑local student communities at HKU Business School. Inspired by strong faculty interest, a lively Q&A followed, highlighting the deep commitment on both sides to nurturing our future business leaders and co-creating an exceptional learning environment.
Following the presentations, the reception flowed into a lively networking session with light refreshments. This informal setting provided an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to connect on a more personal level—exchanging ideas, forging mentorship ties, and exploring potential collaborations.
This annual tradition is more than just a reception; it is a powerful demonstration of HKU Business School’s commitment to fostering a truly collaborative ecosystem. It is where the vibrant energy of our student associations meets the wisdom and support of our faculty, ensuring that every undergraduate benefits from innovative programmes, diverse perspectives, and a deeply enriching university journey. We look forward to witnessing the remarkable initiatives that will blossom from these partnerships in the year ahead.
Prof. Jin Li, Zhang Yonghong Professor in Economics and Strategy, Director of the Centre for AI, Management and Organization (CAMO) of the University of Hong Kong, and Area Head of Management and Strategy at HKU Business School has won the 2026 John L. Weinberg/IRRCi Research Paper Award, presented at the Corporate Governance Symposium hosted by the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance of the University of Delaware.
This award recognizes outstanding scholarship in corporate governance and investor-related issues. Prof. Li’s co-authored paper titled “Artificial Intelligence in the Boardroom” analysed how the use of artificial intelligence affects the monitoring and advisory relationship between CEOs and corporate boards, as well as how AI can serve as an advisor to CEOs. The paper is recognized for its innovative insights and significant contributions to advancing global understanding of corporate governance.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Li and his collaborators for this remarkable achievement. At HKU Business School, we are committed to world-class research and thought leadership.
We are incredibly proud to announce that Professors Roni Michaely (The University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Business and Economics), Joan Farre-Mensa (University of Illinois at Chicago), and Martin Schmalz (University of Oxford) have been awarded the prestigious Sharpe Award for the Best Paper published in the 2025 Volume of the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis (JFQA)! Their award-winning paper, “Financing Payouts,” challenges traditional views on corporate finance by highlighting the close relationship between payout and capital structure decisions. Key Insights: The paper finds that 43% of firms making payouts also raise capital in the same year, with 31% of all payout dollars coming from external financing, mostly debt. This indicates that payouts are often used strategically to manage leverage and cash, rather than merely distributing excess funds. Winning the Sharpe Award is an impressive achievement and a testament to the rigorous, world-class research being conducted by our scholars here at HKUBS. Please join us in congratulating Prof. Roni Michaely and his co-authors on this exceptional milestone! Read the full paper here.
HKU Business School proudly hosted its inaugural BSc(QFin) Get‑Together Event at the HKU iCube — a landmark occasion marking a new chapter in building a vibrant, interconnected HKU BSc(QFin) community. Held on 27 February 2026, the event brought together over 90 participants, including current students, esteemed alumni, dedicated industry practitioners serving as Professional Mentors in the Executive Mentorship Programme, and distinguished faculty members.
The atmosphere was electric with shared passion and intellectual curiosity as attendees mingled, exchanged insights, and forged new connections. Emceed by Adrian Lo, a Year 2 BSc(QFin) student and President of the Business and Economics Association (BEA) 2024–25, the evening underscored the programme’s commitment to bridging academia and industry.
The event opened with a warm welcome from Dr. Jinghan Meng, Programme Director, who marked a milestone evening by celebrating the programme’s 15‑year legacy and calling on its growing family of alumni, mentors, and students to stay connected, give back, and help shape the next generation of finance leaders. The evening continued with insightful sharing sessions from prominent mentors of the BSc(QFin) Executive Mentorship Programme:
Adrienne Lui, Director of Economist for Greater China and Mongolia, Citigroup Global Markets Asia, drew on her experience as a market economist to explain how to navigate China’s economic uncertainty by applying economic theory to real‑world developments. She highlighted challenges such as slowing growth, AI‑enabled management of oversupply, job displacement, trade tensions, and shifting global supply chains, and encouraged students to stay informed through daily news and to apply economic thinking to everyday decisions and career planning.
Bosco Chan, Vice President, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., encouraged students using the acronym H.O.R.S.E. — Hunger to learn (stay curious), Outside the comfort zone (embrace challenges), Risk‑taking (avoid playing it safe), Synergy (collaborate with teams), and Empower others (become a mentor). Through personal examples, he showed how these elements enable individuals to grow and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
[Group photo with sharing session speakers Ms. Adrienne Lui (2nd from left) and Mr. Bosco Chan (3rd from left), receiving souvenirs presented by Prof. Derek Chan, Associate Dean (Undergraduate) (4th from left), and Dr. Jinghan Meng (1st from left)]
A pivotal moment of the evening was the appreciation ceremony, where Dr. Meng and Dr. Huiyan Qiu, BSc(QFin) Deputy Programme Director, presented souvenirs to all mentors and alumni in attendance, acknowledging their invaluable support and dedication to the BSc(QFin) community.
The event also announced the establishment of the BSc(QFin) Alumni Chapter, a new sub‑committee under the HKU Business School Alumni Association. This chapter will strengthen ties among Quantitative Finance graduates, elevate the programme’s profile, and build a supportive network across cohorts and industries. We were particularly honoured to recognise Mr. Keith Yau (Class of 2012; Strategy Director, Hang Seng Indexes Company, Hang Seng Bank) as an Executive Committee member of this inaugural cohort. As the first cohort of the BSc(QFin) student, Keith shared a heartfelt vision for the new Alumni Chapter — rooted in his own early uncertainties and the transformative guidance of his mentor more than 15 years ago. With a growing network of over 300 QFin alumni and 6,000 HKU Business School alumni, he envisions a powerful two‑way channel: students gain real‑world career insights, industry knowledge, and interpersonal wisdom from alumni, while alumni remain energised by students’ passion, fresh perspectives, and evolving skill sets. Through more engagement events and open communication, the Chapter aims to build a stronger, more connected BSc(QFin) community for generations to come.
[Group photo with Mr. Keith Yau (2nd from left) for receiving Letter of Appointment presented by Dr. Jinghan Meng (1st from left) and Mr. Joerg Riebel (3rd from left)]
The evening further highlighted the School’s advances in alumni engagement through a sharing by Mr. Joerg Riebel, Executive Committee Member of the HKU Business School Alumni Association. With more than 40,000 alumni worldwide, the School’s alumni family continues to grow, particularly among younger cohorts. Looking ahead, alumni engagement will be increasingly proactive and aligned with the School’s goals — strengthening connections across local, Mainland, and international communities, and deepening ties with undergraduate and postgraduate alumni across disciplines.
The inaugural BSc(QFin) Get‑Together was more than a gathering; it was a powerful affirmation of our collective commitment to the enduring success of the BSc(QFin) programme and its community. The conversations sparked, the connections made, and the shared vision for the future exemplified the spirit of collaboration and excellence that defines this programme. Let us continue to build this vibrant network, fostering a legacy of excellence and mutual support for years to come.
About BSc(QFin) at HKU Business School
The Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance (BSc(QFin)) programme, established in 2009, combines rigorous training in quantitative methods with deep financial expertise, preparing graduates to excel in investment banking, asset management, fintech, and beyond. It equips students with the quantitative skills required for advanced and sophisticated financial analyses—such as valuation models of structured products, risk management, data analysis, financial engineering, and quantitative trading—while going beyond technical proficiency to emphasise a strong understanding of financial markets, the macroeconomic environment, and the practical contexts in which financial managers operate. To this end, the curriculum offers a balanced mix of quantitative and business courses, and as the programme enters its 17th year, our graduates continue to make significant impacts across global financial markets.
Congratulations to Prof. Jin Li on his new role as Editor of The Economic Journal!
Prof. Li is Zhang Yonghong Professor in Economics and Strategy, Director of the Centre for AI, Management and Organization (CAMO) at The University of Hong Kong, and Area Head of Management and Strategy at HKU Business School. Prof. Li’s main research area lies at the intersection of organizational economics, personnel economics, and labor economics. It focuses on the dynamics of informal relationships and explores how firms can design organizations to align incentives and build trust. His research shows how organizational design can be a source of competitive advantage.
Prof. Li has researched on the topics of the digital economy, including causality issues in machine learning algorithms and blockchain governance. His current research interest focuses on AI and Organization. “It is a great honour to take on the role of Editor of The Economic Journal. The journal has a long and distinguished history at the forefront of economic research,” Li said.
HKU-Accenture Business Consulting Programme 2025–26 was officially inaugurated on January 26, 2026. Entering its eighth year, this experiential learning programme continues to equip HKU Business School students with practical business consulting experience and up-to-date industry knowledge.
This year, we are thrilled to partner with The Mills Fabrica, a global collaborative and innovation hub known for driving sustainable and tech‑forward solutions, to bring a real-life business case to this renowned business consulting programme. This partnership provides a valuable opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge in a practical context while receiving guidance from industry professionals throughout the whole learning journey.
The inauguration brought together faculty members from HKU Business School, Accenture consultants, representatives from The Mills Fabrica, and 30 student participants, creating an energetic start to the programme.
Professor Derek Chan, Associate Dean (Undergraduate) of HKU Business School, said, “The programme has transformed how our students bridge classroom theory and real‑world consulting”. He encouraged students to combine Accenture’s mentorship with classroom learning to deliver meaningful solutions for The Mills Fabrica.
In his keynote, Mr. Luca Fong, Managing Director of Accenture Song, noted the pace of technological change: “See how you can apply innovative solutions – not limited by what is available today, but look towards what can be achieved tomorrow.” He urged students to collaborate, use Accenture coaches’ guidance, and explore emerging technologies in their proposals.
“This partnership embodies what The Mills Fabrica stands for – collaboration, experimentation, and impact,” said Ms. Cintia Nunes, General Manager and Head of Asia of The Mills Fabrica. She thanked HKU Business School and Accenture for engaging The Mills Fabrica as the case partner and shared her anticipation for the student teams’ ideas, “I encourage you to think boldly but act pragmatically. We challenge you to show a clear path to implementation.”
Past participants have described the programme as highly practical and inspiring, encouraging this year’s cohort to engage actively in discussions to maximise learning from Accenture’s seasoned professionals.
We look forward to seeing the performance of our six student teams at the Case Competition & Closing Ceremony on March 28, 2026.
The HKU Business School’s Business Consulting Practicum (BCP) 2025-26 programme has successfully concluded, marking another year of impactful collaborations and transformative learning experiences for our student consultants. This year’s programme provided undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to apply their business knowledge to real-world challenges faced by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), facilitated by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS).
The journey began with comprehensive pre‑practicum training workshops in November 2025. These tailored sessions equipped students with essential skills in basic consulting, financial management for NGOs, and data analytics. This foundation ensured the teams were well prepared and possessed the requisite skill set for the subsequent three‑week practicum.
The first project client is Pneumoconiosis Mutual Aid Association(PMAA), an organisation dedicated to supporting pneumoconiosis patients. Our student consultants assisted PMAA in strategic development and financial management to secure long‑term sustainability. They examined challenges such as funding instability due to reductions in subventions and increased competition among NGOs. Their recommendations addressed these issues to ensure financial viability while preserving PMAA’s patient‑first mission and avoiding reductions in vital services.
The second project client is Baptist Charis Social Service(BCSS), which provides essential services to enhance community well‑being, particularly in family and child rehabilitation, school social work, and integrated community services. The student teams proposed modernising BCSS’s branding and marketing to strengthen visibility, trust, and sustainable growth. Recommended actions included building a one‑stop website with search engine optimisation, launching a Student Ambassador Scheme to engage university and secondary school students, running a community‑driven design campaign to enhance the BCSS/ZebraGo brand, and pursuing institutional partnerships beyond education to broaden impact. With appropriate risk controls, these initiatives aim to deepen digital presence and stakeholder engagement, support BCSS’s mission, and foster a more inclusive community across Tai Po and Hong Kong.
The programme culminated in final project presentations held in person at HKU for the two clients on 20 and 23 January 2026, respectively, where student teams presented their comprehensive consulting reports and recommendations to their NGO clients and faculty. The presentations were followed by a closing dinner, providing an opportunity for reflection, networking, and recognition of the dedication and hard work of all participants.
The HKU Business School extends its sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). Their invaluable partnership was instrumental to the success of this programme, as they meticulously identified and engaged the two NGOs who served as our esteemed clients. This collaboration ensures that our BCP programme addresses genuine needs within the social service sector, providing students with meaningful projects and contributing positively to the wider community.
The BCP continues to embody our commitment to experiential learning, preparing future business leaders who are not only academically proficient but also socially conscious and capable of driving positive change.
