We’re happy to share that the article Prof. Gedeon Limcontributed to, titled “How does interacting with other ethnicities shape political attitudes?” has been published on VoxDev! In this research, it examines how living near resettlement sites for ethnic minorities in Malaysia can shift political preferences. His findings reveal that closer proximity not only improves economic outcomes but also fosters casual interactions in shared public spaces. VoxDev serves as a vital platform for economists, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss key development issues, making expert insights accessible to a wide audience. Join us in exploring Prof. Lim’s contributions to understanding how inter-ethnic contact can drive positive social change! Read more here:https://bit.ly/3Cu2938
Ever wondered about the lasting effects of social disasters on stock market participation or the impact of cultural traits during crises? How have extraordinary natural occurrences influenced executive orders or how has female education shaped historical economic trajectories? These research inquiries were among those explored atthe Eighth Asian Historical Economics Conference (AHEC 2024), organised by the Asian Historical Economics Society and hosted by theCentre for Quantitative History(CQH) of HKU Business School, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences and the International Society for Quantitative History.
Held on December 9-10, the conference brought together more than 170 attendees, comprising leading economic historians, economists, other academics, young researchers and students working on the economic history of all regions of Asia, as well as those comparing Asia with other regions. This marked HKU’s second hosting effort. In contrast to the 2018 conference, this edition was held on the HKU campus. Spearheaded by ProfessorsZhiwu Chen,Stephen Broadberry,Kyoji Fukao,Bishnupriya Gupta,Duol Kim,Chicheng Ma,Debin MaandŞevket Pamuk, the two-day conference showcased remarkable submissions in both quantity and quality, representing a diverse range of regions. With a total of 134 submissions, the number nearly doubled compared to AHEC 2018. Out of the shortlisted submission, roughly half of them were full papers. The accepted papers covered various regions of study, with a significant portion focusing on China (around 45%), followed by East Asia (13%), Southeast Asia (11%), Europe/Eurasia (9%), South Asia (8%), Asia-Pacific (7%), West Asia/Near East (4%), and Global and others (4%). The event highlighted the growing interest and participation in quantitative historical research, with a diverse array of research topics and contributors from around the world, making AHEC 2024 a successful and enriching academic gathering.
ProfessorZhiwu Chen, Chair of the AHEC 2024 Organising Committee as well as Director of the Centre for Quantitative History, said quantitative history was a growing field. “We have put together a decent-sized group of economic historians and quantitative historians and archaeologists and in three, or five, years’ time our group will be even bigger,” he said in opening the event.
At this year’s conference, distinguished keynote speakers, including Professors Sascha O. Becker from the University of Warwick and Monash University, Peter Turchin from the Complexity Science Hub and the University of Connecticut, and Joel Mokyr from Northwestern University, were joined by a plenary panel of journal editors. The panel includes Sascha O. Becker himself, along with Bishnupriya Gupta, Kris Inwood, and Uta Schönberg. These distinguished speakers explored a wide array of historical economic themes, shedding light on pivotal moments and trends shaping the Asian economic landscape.
Professor Zhiwu Chen, Director of the Centre for Quantitative History, HKU Business School, gives his opening remarks at the conference
We have put together a decent-sized group of economic historians and quantitative historians and archaeologists and in three, or five, years’ time our group will be even bigger.
Zhiwu Chen
Chair of the AHEC 2024 Organising Committee as well as Director of the Centre for Quantitative History
Keynote address: Religion and Economic Development: Past, Present, Future
The first day of AHEC 2024 opened with a keynote speech by ProfessorSascha O. Beckerin which he argued that religion exerts more influence on economic development than previously thought. He highlighted the evolving perceptions regarding the historical trajectory of religious beliefs, debunking the notion of a continuous decline in religiosity over time. He acknowledged that while there was a huge variation in religious importance across countries, beliefs remained a significant influence globally. “The persistent influence of religion shapes socio-economic outcomes even with low religiosity.”
Professor Becker also challenged a hypothesis that as a society becomes richer and more educated, religion declines and loses its influence. “There has been very little [academic] work on religious revivals,” he said, citing instances in both Christianity and Islam. “[Former Brazilian President Jair] Bolsonaro came to power partly on the rise of Pentecostalism.”
Then resurgence of Roman Catholicism in Poland after the fall of the Soviet Union and a religious resurgence in China post-Mao Zedong, were discussed as twentieth-century illustrations of rejuvenated religious fervour.
Professor Becker said there was much more research to be done on the economic effects of religion. “There has been very little research on Buddhism, and traditional beliefs should be more at the centre,” he noted. “We know so little about religion in the countryside, what goes on in the mountains of Taiwan and the jungles of Vietnam would be useful to know.”
Professor Sascha O. Becker gives his keynote speech on “Religion and Economic Development: Past, Present, Future”
Keynote address: The Great Holocene Transformation: What Complexity Science Tells Us about the Evolution of Complex Societies
ProfessorPeter Turchin, a complexity scientist specialising in historical social science known as cliodynamics, leads the Seshat Databank, a vast historical database of cultural evolution. Using mathematical computational models, he analyses data spanning the past 1,000 years to elucidate the growth in scale and complexity of societies.
In his dinner speech, Professor Turchin illustrated how cultural evolution mirrors biological evolution, viewing culture as socially transmitted information akin to biological genetic material. “Culture is simply socially transmitted information and is analogous to biological evolution with DNA, RNA and some other chemical molecules. In cultural evolution, human brains are the carriers,” he said.
Employing a dynamical model rooted in the theory of cultural macroevolution, Professor Turchin and his team tested 17 potential predictor variables proxying mechanisms suggested by major theories of sociopolitical complexity, concluding that the best-supported model indicates a strong causal role played by a combination of increasing agricultural productivity and invention and adoption of military technologies.
During the Holocene the primary mode of competition between polities was warfare. “Technological evolution drove up the intensity of warfare and, therefore, inter-polity competition,” Professor Turchin said. “The key idea is that technological evolution is cumulative and drives the intensity of militarisation” He said cultural evolution is “a very useful concept framework for societal developments” noting the significance of cavalry tactics and logistics over gunpowder in historical developments.
HKU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Y.C. Richard Wong chairs the dinner keynote on Day 1 conference
Professor Peter Turchin gives his dinner keynote on “The Great Holocene Transformation: What Complexity Science Tells Us about the Evolution of Complex Societies”
Keynote address: The Great Reversal and the Industrial Revolution
The second day kicked off with a keynote speech by ProfessorJoel Mokyrbased on a chapter in Two Paths to Prosperity: Culture and Institutions in Europe and China, 1000-2000, by Professor Mokyr along with Avner Greif of Stanford University and Guido Tabellin of Università Bocconi.
Professor Mokyr discussed various concepts in global economic history, including the “Great Reversal,” “The Great Divergence,” explaining the rapid economic growth of the West and stagnation of China after about 1750, “Great Enrichment,” covering the rise in global gross domestic product after 1750 and “Great Bifurcation, the growing split in social and political organisations between Europe and China after 1000.
If the bulk of economic divergence in growth of income and technological progress was driven by the Industrial Revolution, what kind of causal linkages can we establish between the bifurcation of social organisations and the Industrial Revolution? Professor Mokyr argued that the principal difference between the West and China is that former developed “corporations” – not companies in the modern sense but craft guilds and scientific associations – that were more progressive and innovative than China’s clan- and kinship-based structures.
The differences between a world of nuclear families and corporations versus a world of lineages and clans were a major – and until now largely unnoticed – factor in explaining why the Industrial Revolution and subsequent economic growth occurred in Europe and not in China. He pointed out how China’s emphasis on ancestor worship stifled innovation, contrasting it with Western universities’ advancements. Mokyr noted the absence of STEM education and disruptive figures in China, underscoring the impact of educational systems on technological progress and economic growth.
Professor Joel Mokyr gives his keynote speech on ‘The Great Reversal and the Industrial Revolution’ on Day 2 of the conference
Professor Chicheng Ma, Associate Director of the Centre of Quantitative History, chairs the keynote speech by Professor Joel Mokyr
Professor Joel Mokyr interacts with our faculty member Professor Xiaodong Zhu
Plenary Session: Research and Publication in Economic History
The conference concluded with a Plenary Session: “Research and Publication in Economic History”, chaired by ProfessorZhiwu Chenand featuring a panel comprising ProfessorSascha O. Becker, also Editor ofThe Economic Journal; ProfessorBishnupriya Guptaof the University of Warwick and Editor ofThe Journal of Economic History; ProfessorKris Inwoodof the University of Guelph and Editor ofAsia-Pacific Economic History Review; and ProfessorUta Schönbergof The University of Hong Kong, who is also Co-Editor ofAmerican Economic Review.
The aim was to introduce scholars, particularly those early in their careers, to influential journal editors, so they could understand the publishing process. Chair Professor Chen expressed the desire to support and promote many scholars. making the final session focus on publishing more papers successfully. “It would make sense for the last session to be focused on the topic of how we can publish more papers and more successful papers,” said Professor Chen. Professor Uta Schönberg highlighted rising rejection rates due to a surge in submissions, emphasising the importance of a strong abstract. She said her own rejection rate is roughly one-third but acknowledged that some editors reject nearly two-thirds of submissions. She added that first papers tend to be harshly judged by referees. “Invest in the writing,” she urged. “Think carefully about what’s new – what’s the punchline?”
Despite such grim statistics, Professor Kris Inwood urged scholars to be positive. “If you don’t submit, you can’t be accepted – take a chance,” he said. “Reviewers are trying to help you. It’s voluntary labour from someone who’s an expert on your topic, to help you improve the paper even if it doesn’t always feel that way.” Economic history was received fairly well, the editors said. Professor Uta Schönberg said the papers in the field were rejected at a no higher rate than other topics, while Professor Bishnupriya Gupta said the number of economic history papers published was rising. “The Journal of Economic History(JEH) cares about what is the contribution of the paper to the economic history literature,” she said. JEH, she added, uses two referees who are country experts and a third who can judge how interesting the paper is to an outsider. She stressed that cover letters rarely matter. “The abstract is very useful, and the first page and a half are enough to know if it is interesting,” she added.
Professor Sascha O. Becker also stressed the importance of the writing. “Crafting a narrative starts with a good abstract and before that, a good title.” He urged scholars to “involve friends and foes in your work”, adding “what is important is feedback”. He suggested sending the abstract, introduction, data, results and conclusions to different reviewers. “Send to a few people and you have comments on all parts of the paper.”
AHEC2024 Plenary Session: Research and Publication in Economic History
Plenary panelists are enthusiastically exchanging ideas with the audience
Plenary panelists interact with distinguished scholars on book publications vs journal publications
Looking forward
At the AHEC 2024 event, researchers working on the economic history of all regions of Asia had conversations ranged from historical context and legacies, institutions and governance, socioeconomic dynamics, to societal interactions and networks, highlighting the significance of data-driven, innovative collaborative endeavours for fostering discovery and academic discourse. As the field of economic history embraces the promise of fresh perspectives, the valuable insights gleaned from this conference offer fresh pathways for both research and data constructing initiatives. The Centre for Quantitative History eagerly anticipates further engaging in these dialogues at upcoming conferences and workshops in the future.
Congratulations to our students for winning the Champion and Best Presenter in the Alvarez & Marsal Hong Kong Business Case Competition 2024!
The competition, organised by Alvarez & Marsal, aims to provide students with an opportunity to apply their business knowledge and skills to real-world challenges. The theme of the competition is “Embracing Digital Compliance: Navigating the Dynamic Tax Landscape”.
The competition consisted of two rounds. In Round One, teams submitted a detailed proposal on their strategy, and the Top 5 teams advanced to the Final Round where they presented their solutions at the Alvarez & Marsal Hong Kong Office.
From over 100 participating teams, our student team stood out by articulating innovative strategies while addressing the challenges of the tax industry in an increasingly digitalising economy. Congratulations again to our Champions.
(The team comprises 1 other team member from other university.)
Best Presenter
Mr. Tse Pun Yiu, BEcon&Fin, Year 2
Student Sharing:
During my internship at a financial institution, I worked on automation projects, and it was rewarding to apply that experience in the tax space during the competition, highlighting the importance of automation in the digital economy. Presenting to senior directors at Alvarez & Marsal provided valuable insights and further inspired me to explore how technology can shape the financial industry.
(by Mr. Leung Chun Long, Bowen)
This competition provided me with the opportunity to venture into the complex tax landscape, offering insights I had never imagined! It was an incredibly eye-opening experience that pushed me to quickly adapt and acquire knowledge in an unfamiliar domain. The challenge has strengthened my ability to navigate complexity with confidence and now I am feeling more prepared to embrace challenges in new and unfamiliar areas!
(by Miss Mak Ho Yan, Stephanie)
This was an incredibly rewarding experience to address the challenge of identifying a serviceable market within a vast potential client base in the tax services sector. We conducted a thorough feasibility analysis to evaluate the project’s practicality, while I dove deep into financial modelling to assess the value it could bring to Alvarez & Marsal. Our approach was grounded in detailed market research, exploring competitors and alternative solutions, which helped us craft a tiered pricing structure with premium features to drive adoption. Ultimately, it was exciting to present our idea and confidently address the judges’ doubts, making it even more satisfying to finally win a case competition with the right team after many previous attempts.
We are pleased to announce that our students have won Outstanding Team Award (Team Track) and Merit Team Award (Individual Track) in Deloitte Tax Championship 2024.
Deloitte Tax Championship is an annual competition for students to showcase their skills and knowledge in China and International Taxation. This year, the competition featured two tracks – Team Track and Individual Track, and three rounds: Preliminary Round, Semi-final Round, and National Finals. Students from Individual Track who advanced to the National Final were matched into a new team with four students from the Team Track. Participants tackled real-world cases focusing on emerging trends like digital tax, carbon tax, AI-technology, and ESG-related issues.
Among the participating teams of students from 59 universities, our students have demonstrated their knowledge in taxation and brought home the Outstanding Team Award (Team Track) and Merit Team Award (Individual Track). Congratulations!
“Twice I sought representation in this competition. My sophomore application was unsuccessful, but as a penultimate-year student, I persevered, securing selection for DTC 2024 with Prof. Christina Ng’s support. Our goal was to reach the National Finals in Beijing, competing with student teams from other twelve prestigious universities. We not only achieved this but exceeded our expectations, securing a top sixth finish and won the Outstanding Team Award.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Prof. Christina Ng and Mr. Vincent Tam, our advisor, for their invaluable support and guidance, equipping us with the requisite professional tax knowledge and presentation skills. My thanks also go to HKU Business School, particularly Kit and Emily, for their efficient logistical coordination.
Equally crucial were the contributions of my HKU teammates, Iris, Ariel, and Alan, along with our National Finals teammate, Tan Zhou from Sichuan Normal University. Iris and Tan’s profound tax expertise, particularly concerning Chinese taxation, ensured the accuracy of our computations and responses. Ariel and Alan’s exceptional presentation skills and astute business acumen delivered a compelling presentation. Their contributions were all indispensable to our success.
This year presented numerous challenges, including scheduling conflicts between revision, examinations, and the competition. Despite these obstacles, our performance has still far surpassed our expectations.
We encountered complex questions encompassing transfer pricing, permanent establishments, and emerging trends like the EU’s carbon tax. However, our team adeptly navigated these challenges, achieving exceptional results.
This is and will forever be one of the best case competition experiences I have ever had in my university life in HKU.”
(by Mr. Cheng Yan Chak Clarence)
“I have always sought to challenge myself and step outside of my comfort zone by participating in dynamic business case competitions. I vividly recall the excitement I felt upon being selected by the Business School as one of four HKU representatives in the competition. Although the preparation phase for the Regional Round was rigorous, I acquired in-depth knowledge in both international and China tax, and forged strong relationships with my teammates.
We are immensely grateful for securing a place in the National Finals held in Beijing in early December, after competing among other exceptional teams from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau in the Regional Round. Representing our school on an international stage and competing against some of the best teams in the Finals was an invaluable experience.
Despite being a brief three-day trip, it was truly unforgettable. Visiting and competing at the newly inaugurated Deloitte Academy was particularly eye-opening. We collaborated with another teammate, Tan Zhou from Sichuan Normal University, in the individual track. Although our team was newly formed, our professional expertise, robust presentation skills and adaptiveness enabled us to deliver two compelling presentations on complex tax cases, focusing on emerging trends such as digital tax, carbon tax, ESG, and transfer pricing within a stringent time frame. This experience significantly broadened my horizons as I learned from teams representing some of the most prestigious institutions in mainland China. We not only exchanged ideas, skills, and knowledge but also built friendships and created lasting memories.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Deloitte for organizing this competition for twenty consecutive years, thereby creating a platform that connects students from Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and Macau. Furthermore, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Prof. Christina Ng for her belief in me and for selecting me to represent HKU Business School, as well as to Mr. Vincent Tam for his unwavering support and insightful guidance during our trip to Beijing. I also wish to thank Emily and Kit for their effective communication and coordination with Deloitte. Last but not least, I am incredibly proud of my team for achieving outstanding results as one of the Top 6 teams, and earning an Outstanding Team Award at the National Finals.”
(by Miss Keung Ka Ching, Ariel)
“First, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Prof. Christina Ng and Mr. Vincent Tam for their leadership during the Deloitte Tax Championship. Their support was crucial to our team’s success, and I truly appreciate the guidance they provided along the way. I also want to recognise the hard work of my teammates; each of you brought unique strengths that made a real difference in our efforts.
Participating in this competition has been a fantastic learning experience. It showed me that tax isn’t just about the technical details—it’s deeply connected to social trends and global events like climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and national policies. This broader perspective has enhanced my understanding of the tax field and its importance in today’s world. Overall, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with such amazing group of people.”
(by Miss Liu Yunqi, Iris)
“During my participation in Deloitte Tax Championship, it challenged me to learn tax law and international taxation from scratch within a month. Competing alongside peers who had specialised in tax-related courses motivated me to acquire solid knowledge within just a few months. It was exciting to see how technology can increase the efficiency of taxation-related work.
I feel fortunate to have advanced to the National Finals of the Deloitte Tax Championship, where I had the opportunity to meet managers and partners from various Deloitte branches. I was impressed by their professionalism and their commitment to nurturing young talents. They were dedicated to teaching and guiding us in our pursuit of knowledge. Rather than focusing on a broader scope, they delved deeply into the specifics, encouraging us to reflect and rethink until we achieved perfection.”
FBE Student Contribution and Innovation Award aims to recognise and reward HKU Business School undergraduate students who have demonstrated contribution and innovation to the School, University and the wider community through their leadership and/or entrepreneurship; and to promote experiential learning through students’ participation in extra-curricular activities, involvement in community service and student leadership.
“I am truly honoured to receive the FBE Student Contribution and Innovation Award, a remarkable milestone in my journey at HKU Business School. This recognition not only celebrates my contributions to the School and the broader community but also affirms my dedication to innovation and entrepreneurship.
As the co-founder of start-ups, I view entrepreneurship as a lifelong pursuit, and this award fuels my resolve to continue harnessing its power to create positive impact. I am deeply grateful to the faculty, professors, family, mentors, and peers who have inspired, guided, and empowered me along the way. Their support has been instrumental in shaping my vision and values. Moving forward, I am committed to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs, and building impactful ventures that contribute to a better future for all.”
– Bi Hu, BBA(IBGM)
“The journey of community service has been its own reward, which makes receiving the FBE Student Contribution and Innovation Award an especially meaningful honor. I am deeply grateful to the HKU Business School for recognizing my community initiatives. Having grown up in Hong Kong, I have always been passionate about giving back through volunteering and social projects, and this distinguished recognition motivates me to further pursue my commitment to creating positive social impact.
Looking ahead, I envision expanding my impact through innovative platforms that empower fellow students and foster youth leadership. Beyond my current social initiatives, I am developing collaborative solutions to address students’ challenges and creating spaces for meaningful dialogue that can shape Hong Kong’s future. This recognition not only validates my past efforts but fuels my commitment to these ambitious endeavors that I believe will create lasting impact in our community.”
– Hussain Iman, BBA
“I am profoundly grateful and humbled to receive this recognition through my engagement at 180 Degrees Consulting (180DC). This acknowledgment reflects not just individual effort, but the collaborative spirit of our entire team in supporting non-profit organizations.
The honour serves as a catalyst for further dedication to social impact initiatives. Currently, as a fellow in the 180DC Future Leaders Programme , I am privileged to lead an international project addressing contemporary mental health challenges, particularly the growing concern of social isolation. This recognition reinforces my commitment to developing evidence-based, sustainable solutions that contribute meaningfully to global mental health advocacy and community well-being.”
– Kothari Priyal, BBA
“I am extremely grateful to have been named as one of the awardees for the FBE Student Contribution and Innovation award. From my very first day at university, I have always dreamt of being able to have a lasting, positive impact on the faculty community. Hence, from joining various societies in my first-year to now being able to take up leadership roles, I have cherished the journey and the opportunities that I have been given.
Moving forward, I hope to put “my best foot forward” in helping push for the community’s growth and continuing to contribute to the best of my ability. Currently, within my societies, I am focusing on increasing the connection between our School and other universities in Hong Kong; as well as planning for a smooth transition to the incoming leadership committee.”
– Sy Mateo Rafael Roman, BBA(IBGM)
“I am deeply honoured to be selected as a recipient of this esteemed award. This recognition not only acknowledges my efforts in making meaningful contributions to the University and the wider community through leadership, pro bono legal and consulting work, but also motivates me to continually refine and enhance my leadership skills to drive impactful change.
I am especially grateful for the ongoing support from HKU Business School towards student-run societies such as Business Association, allowing executive committee members to channel our enthusiasm into organising insightful events for the business student community. I am also thankful for the diverse enrichment experiences offered by the School, which have significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. Looking ahead, I aspire to leverage the experiences I have gained to further explore new opportunities and expand my leadership and community service endeavours.”
We are thrilled to have co-hosted the prestigious Asia BREAD conference, uniting over 60 top development economists from across Asia and leading US and UK institutions, including Nobel laureate Abhijeet Banerjee (MIT), ADB Chief Economist Albert Park, and Professor Imran Rasul (UCL).
Founded in 2002, BREAD is a non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing research in development economics. This year marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time this esteemed conference was held in Asia, fostering collaboration among Asian economists and enhancing networks in the region.
Our co-organiser, Prof. Gedeon Lim , along with faculty members Prof. Bingjing Li, Prof. Yiming Cao, and Prof. Guojun He, worked closely with NUS to make this event a success. Highlights included Prof. Banerjee’s thought-provoking insights on critical issues like gender and the environment, as well as Prof. Park’s focus on evidence-based research and encouraging collaboration.
We can’t wait for the next Asia BREAD conference in 2027!
An insightful interdisciplinary Workshop on “AI in Business” was successfully held by the HKU Business School’s Institute of Digital Economy and Innovation (IDEI) on December 9, 2024 at HKU-iCube. The event brought together esteemed scholars and industry experts at the cutting edge of AI research, as well as over 100 participants engaging in the exchange of brilliant minds.
The Workshop commenced with opening remarks from Professor Yulin Fang, IDEI Director and Professor of Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School, and Professor Jin Li, Zhang Yonghong Professor in Economics and Strategy and Area Head of Management and Strategy at HKU Business School, followed by a series of engaging presentations that explored the transformative role of artificial intelligence across various sectors.
Professor Lingpeng Kong, Assistant Professor of Department of Computer Science at the University of Hong Kong, and Professor Xiaodong Zhu, Area Head of Economics and Chair of Economics at HKU Business School, jointly discussed innovative approaches using textual data and large language models to assess policy effectiveness with their speech “Measuring Government Policies: A New Approach Using Textual Data and Large Language Models”.
Mr. Pascal Hua, National Managing Partner of Technology and Transformation from Deloitte China, addressed the opportunities and challenges posed by generative AI in the business landscape by delivering a speech titled “The Emergence of Generative AI for Business and the Pitfalls”.
Professor Michael C. L. Chau, the Deputy Area Head of Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School, presented research on mitigating racial bias in hate speech detection through prompt-based learning through his speech “Relieving Racial Bias in Hate Speech Detection Through Prompt-based Learning”.
Professor Ye Luo, Associate Director of IDEI at HKU Business School, shared recent developments in AI technologies and their implications for learning environments with his speech “Recent Advances in AI and Learning.”
Professor Michael Xiaoquan Zhang, Wei Lun Professor of Business AI, Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, discussed the integration of AI in financial markets, enhancing decision-making processes by presenting “AI in Financial Market”.
Professor Yipu Deng, Assistant Professor of Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School, explored how AI-generated answers influence user contributions in digital platforms in her presentation titled “When Artificial Intelligence Speaks, Humans Respond: The Impact of AI-generated Answers on User Contributions”.
Professor Jie Gong, Associate Professor at HKU Business School and Professor Jin Li, examined the intersection of AI and creativity, highlighting new possibilities for innovation with the speech “AI and Creative Process”.
Professor Hailiang Chen, Assistant Dean (Taught Postgraduate) at HKU Business School, introduced the Gov-RAG framework, aimed at improving citizen engagement through AI with his speech titled “Gov-RAG: A Retrieval-Augmented Generation Framework for Enhancing Citizen Services”.
Mr. Yong Yang, Head of Data and Security for the Huan Yuan Large Model at Tencent Cloud Computing, wrapped up the Workshop with insights on the practical applications of large AI models in enterprise management by delivering “The Practice and Application of Large Models in Enterprise Management”.
Throughout the day, the sessions were chaired by esteemed academics, including Prof. Zhixi Wan, Area Head of IIM; Prof. Zhenhui (Jack) Jiang, Padma and Hari Harilela Professor in SIM; Prof. Junhong Chu, CIE Associate Director; Prof. Yulin Fang and Prof. Jin Li.
Photo Caption
Group photo:
Professor Yulin Fang, IDEI Director and Professor of Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School, delivers the welcoming remarks.
Professor Jin Li, Zhang Yonghong Professor in Economics and Strategy and Area Head of Management and Strategy at HKU Business School, delivers the welcoming remarks.
Professor Lingpeng Kong, Assistant Professor of Department of Computer Science at the University of Hong Kong
Professor Xiaodong Zhu, Area Head of Economics and Chair of Economics at HKU Business School
Mr. Pascal Hua, National Managing Partner of Technology and Transformation, Deloitte China
Professor Michael C. L. Chau, Deputy Area Head of Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School
Professor Ye Luo, Associate Director of IDEI at HKU Business School
Professor Michael Xiaoquan Zhang, Wei Lun Professor of Business AI, Department of Decisions, Operations and Technology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Professor Yipu Deng, Assistant Professor of Innovation and Information Management at HKU Business School
Professor Jie Gong, Associate Professor of Management and Strategy at HKU Business School
Professor Hailiang Chen, Assistant Dean (Taught Postgraduate) at HKU Business School
Lastly, Mr. Yong Yang, the Head of Data and Security for the Huan Yuan Large Model at Tencent Cloud Computing
The Workshop concluded with closing remarks emphasizing the importance of AI in shaping the future of business. Attendees left with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of how AI can drive innovation and efficiency across industries.
Stay tuned for more events as we continue to explore the evolving landscape of technology and its impact on business!
Our International Business and Global Management students embarked on a transformative journey to Barcelona, on an international field trip organize by HKU-TLV Innovation Hub. The worlds of business, entrepreneurship, and culture collided in an inspiring way, exposing students to new ways of thinking and understanding the nuances of international business.
The trip included insightful lectures from local experts on various topics including the geopolitics of Spain & Europe, EU monetary & economic policy, AI and the 4th industrial revolution, and financial analysis models. Students had the opportunity to meet with local Spanish companies as case studies and engage with founders and CFOs. These academic and hands-on sessions provided students with a deeper understanding of the economic landscape and political dynamics that influence business decisions in Europe.
Students also visited some of Barcelona’s most innovative companies, including Casa SEAT, Tech Barcelona, Estrella Damm Factory, and Idilia Foods, offering a firsthand look at how successful companies operate in this vibrant business hub. At Blue Banana Brand students heard the story of a young local entrepreneur and how he built his successful clothing brand. They also engaged with Caixa Capital and heard about the Spanish venture capital world and investment strategies, while Norrsken House provided a glimpse into the world of social entrepreneurship. Students also had the opportunity to visit the local Barcelona business school ESADE, where they enjoyed a dynamic session with local Spanish students and compared business cultures and practices between Hong Kong and Spain.
Hands-on experiences also played a key role in the journey. Students participated in a Spanish cooking workshop, where they delved into the country’s culinary traditions, and they enjoyed tasting the products at Estrella Damm Factory, experiencing the behind-the-scenes operations of one of Spain’s most iconic brands.
This trip was not only about business—it was also about connecting with the culture of Barcelona. From exploring the architectural wonders of Gaudí to wandering the vibrant streets of La Rambla, students were immersed in the city’s rich history and dynamic atmosphere. The trip culminated in a breathtaking flamenco performance, which beautifully captured the spirit of Spain.
Every day was an opportunity to learn, connect, and challenge perspectives, and we look forward to the next adventure!
Congratulations to Professor Dragon Yongjun Tang on being awarded the Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award 2024!
Prof. Tang’s research has made profoundly tangible impacts across multiple domains. Through his study on the effects of mandatory ESG disclosure regulations globally, Prof. Tang directly informed rules adopted in major jurisdictions like the European Union. This was achieved by providing robust empirical evidence supporting transparency measures. Similarly, his ground-breaking work evaluating green bonds advanced understanding and validated this emerging segment, with over 900 citations and direct influence on sustainable investment frameworks worldwide.
On the domestic front, Prof. Tang played an instrumental advisory role in shaping Hong Kong’s green finance development through capacity building programs and internships established based on his research recommendations. These schemes are successfully nurturing local ESG talent. Beyond regulation and markets, Prof. Tang extended knowledge exchange to practitioners influencing sustainable business practices internationally. He has also advised influential organizations such as the Asian Development Bank, helping craft policy responses with global outreach.
Further, recognition from awards elevates the impact of Prof. Tang’s research for the industry. Most notably, the concrete, tangible impacts demonstrated establish Prof. Tang as a pioneering scholar whose work drives real policy change on a world-leading scale.
