In the Media

HKU Business School hosted the BBA(IBGM) 20th Anniversary Event on 28 March 2026 at the Rayson Huang Theatre — a landmark evening celebrating two decades of the International Business and Global Management (IBGM) programme. With over 120 attendees, including current students, alumni from across all twenty cohorts, and faculty members, past and present, it was a night of celebration filled with enthusiasm from the IBGM community.

Since its founding in 2005, BBA(IBGM) has offered a distinctive model of undergraduate business education built around small, close-knit cohorts — starting at fewer than 20 students per yearly intake and growing to around 35 in recent years as the programme’s reputation has continued to attract top talent. Students pursue a second major chosen from over 60 disciplines across HKU, undertake at least one overseas exchange (with the option of more), and take part in signature experiential activities including a Leadership Boot Camp, an Asia-Pacific Study Tour, and an International Field Trip. These elements, combined with close faculty mentorship, have produced graduates who go on to careers spanning finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, technology, education, the arts, and beyond.

Emceed by Asset TAI Che Hang, a Year 1 IBGM student, the evening opened with remarks from three members of the programme’s leadership, past and present.

Prof. Matthias BUEHLMAIER, BBA(IBGM) Programme Director, welcomed guests and reflected on his time with the programme since 2017. He acknowledged the presence of Prof. Derek CHAN, Associate Dean (Undergraduate), whose attendance underscored the Faculty’s support for IBGM, and recognised the many colleagues and alumni whose contributions over the years had made the evening possible.

Prof. Bennett YIM, the University’s Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange and a former BBA(IBGM) Programme Coordinator, shared his reflections next. Prof. Yim described his time as Programme Coordinator as a profoundly memorable experience. He noted that what defines the “IBGM spirit” is a combination of academic rigour, a willingness to explore diverse paths, and — above all — a genuine global outlook. He encouraged everyone present to reflect on how many lives IBGM has shaped over two decades.

Prof. Olivia LEUNG, Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) and former BBA(IBGM) Programme Director, followed with warm recollections of working with IBGM students. She emphasised that the programme’s success has always been a collaborative achievement: while supported by HKU Business School and its faculty members, IBGM’s growth is ultimately fuelled by the dedication, passion, and hard work of every student who passes through it. To her, this shared commitment is the heart of the IBGM spirit — defined by an ability to embrace challenges with resilience and empathy.

The opening remarks led into a lively panel discussion moderated by two IBGM alumni: Ms Joyce LAW Hoi Ting (Class of 2008, Executive Director, Goldman Sachs) and Mr Sunny SI Yang (Class of 2021, Private Equity Associate, Templewater). Joyce holds a special connection to the programme as a member of its very first cohort.

The panel featured seven faculty members who have played pivotal roles in shaping IBGM: Prof. Patrick CHAU, founding Programme Coordinator; Prof. Bennett YIM; Prof. Olivia LEUNG; Prof. Matthias BUEHLMAIER; Dr. LI Jing, Deputy Programme Director and Admissions Tutor; Dr. NG Yin Mei, former Deputy Programme Director and Admissions Tutor; and Dr. Vichy HO Wai Chi, who has taught Practical Chinese for IBGM students since 2005.

Through thoughtful questions from the moderators, the conversation explored IBGM’s origins, evolution, and future. Joyce drew on her first-hand experience to explore the early days of the programme with Prof. Chau, Prof. Yim, and Dr. Ho, while Sunny steered the discussion towards more recent developments, challenges, and emerging trends with Prof. Leung and Prof. Buehlmaier. The panel also explored what makes IBGM students distinctive and the essential qualities of an “IBGMer,” with insights from Dr. Ng and Dr. Li. Memorable stories from field trips and the classroom drew laughter and nods from the audience.

The spotlight then shifted to the alumni themselves. Moderated by Year 2 IBGM students Heer Hemal JHAVERI and Sophie NG Shui Yee, a second panel brought together five graduates from across the programme’s twenty-year history:

• Tommy CHEUNG Yiu Hin (Class of 2013, ex-HSBC; Master’s Student in Curating and Art History)
• Philip KWAN Pui Chun (Class of 2010, Assistant Principal, Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School)
• Jeffrey LAM Chak Yiu (Class of 2016, Co-founder, Mobile.Cards)
• Jovy MOK (Class of 2021, Financial Analyst, Goldman Sachs)
• Carson OR Ming Cheung (Class of 2025, Junior Portfolio Manager, 28 Advisory | Founder & CEO, Universe)

The panellists shared their most memorable IBGM moments and reflected candidly on how the programme shaped their careers and perspectives. The conversation ranged from favourite courses and exchange experiences to how their definitions of success have evolved since graduation — providing current students in the audience with both practical insights and food for thought.

A highlight of the evening was the official inauguration of the BBA(IBGM) Alumni Chapter, a new sub-committee under the HKU Business School Alumni Association. Designed to strengthen connections within the IBGM community, the chapter provides a dedicated platform for alumni and current students to network, collaborate, and give back to the programme.

Ms Joyce LAW Hoi Ting and Mr Sunny SI Yang were appointed as the inaugural Co-Presidents. In their inauguration address, they shared their motivations for taking on the role, noting that IBGM’s tightly-knit community has always been one of its greatest strengths. The Alumni Chapter, they said, aims to bridge generations of IBGMers and build a lasting legacy through shared experiences and mutual support.

Dr. LI Jing, BBA(IBGM) Deputy Programme Director, delivered the closing remarks. She expressed gratitude to all guests and reaffirmed that the programme’s success is the result of collective efforts from faculty, staff, and students alike. She highlighted the profound impact of IBGM in fostering lifelong friendships, inspiring new ideas, and developing future business leaders who create positive change in society.

The formal programme gave way to a free-flow networking session where alumni reconnected with old classmates, current students sought career advice and life wisdom from graduates across all cohorts, and faculty caught up with former students — many of whom they hadn’t seen in years. It was, by all accounts, exactly the kind of evening IBGM does best: warm, global in spirit, and full of stories.

The BBA(IBGM) 20th Anniversary Event was made possible by the efforts of many hands — a fitting reflection of the community spirit that defines the programme. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a slideshow of photographs from IBGM’s twenty-year history, many contributed by Mr. Baniel CHEUNG and Dr. Vichy HO Wai Chi — both with the programme since its founding — sparking plenty of laughter and nostalgia as alumni recognised themselves and old classmates.

Special thanks go to the IBGM Student Committee, in particular the Publicity Department, for designing the event slides, collecting photos, and drafting the post-event recap, as well as the Career and Alumni Relations, Field Trip, and Enrichment Departments, whose year-round work forms the backbone of the IBGM student experience. The organising team is also grateful to the dedicated administrative staff at HKU Business School, whose ongoing support has helped keep the programme running smoothly over the years.

The IBGM 20th Anniversary Event was a celebration not just of a programme, but of a community. With the launch of the Alumni Chapter and the energy in the room that evening, the next twenty years look bright.

About BBA(IBGM) at HKU Business School

The Bachelor of Business Administration (International Business and Global Management) [BBA(IBGM)] is an intensive, premier programme in international business and global management offered by the University of Hong Kong, featuring a unique curriculum designed to evolve and reflect the ever-changing demands of a globalising world. Exclusive elements such as overseas exchange studies, international field trips, and global enrichment opportunities are strategically integrated into the curriculum, whilst students are given the flexibility to pursue an in-depth inquiry into another specialised area of study as a second major. This cross-functional and personalised approach aims to foster a selected group of outstanding students to become the world’s future leaders equipped with global perspectives, cultural sensitivity, social responsibility and key competencies to succeed in the international business environment. As the programme enters its 21st year, IBGM alumni continue to make their mark across finance, consulting, entrepreneurship, technology, education, and the arts worldwide.

Programme website: https://ug.hkubs.hku.hk/programme/bba-ibgm

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