Press Release

HKU Business School’s first-ever Alumni Gala Dinner concluded successfully on 16 March, with over 600 alumni and faculty members gathered for this momentous occasion. We were honoured to have The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government, as the guest-of-honour and keynote speaker, along with several distinguished leaders from the society. The dinner featured a variety of activities, including alumni performances, an auction, and a lucky draw, providing an opportunity for guests to relive their cherished student memories. We were delighted to have alumni Mr. Alex Fong, the former holder of 11 Hong Kong swimming records, as our guest speaker, sharing his journey in sports competitions and entertainment career.

The Honorable Paul MP Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government said he felt honoured to join the inaugural HKU Business School Alumni Dinner. In his keynote address, he shared his views on the Hong Kong economy, as well as the key initiatives in the 2024/25 Budget, including the main directions in driving Hong Kong’s economic development forward.  He said, “There are three main lines of thought behind the Budget: for the immediate term, bolstering confidence; for the medium to long term, pursuing high-quality economic development through embracing the mega trends of green transition and digital economy, as well as pressing ahead with the development of the “eight centres”.  Meanwhile, the Government will adopt a fiscal consolidation strategy by controlling expenditure growth and suitably increasing revenue to achieve a balance budget in two to three years’ time.’

Professor Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Founding Dean of HKU Business School & Philip Wong Kennedy Wong Professor in Political Economy of The University of Hong Kong, in his welcoming remarks, said, ‘As we come together on this special occasion on HKU Foundation Day, we fondly remember the early days, when visionary leaders laid the foundations of our university, nurturing a spirit of excellence and innovation, marking the HKU Business School stands tall as a global leader in business education and research. Our dedication to academic excellence and our commitment to nurturing business talent has propelled us to the forefront of the international stage. We have extended our reach far beyond the boundaries of Hong Kong, establishing a strong international presence. Through strategic collaborations and partnerships, we have become a trusted institution for business education and research, contributing to the development of talent and expertise in the rapidly evolving global business landscape.’

Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School said, ‘HKU Business School has been over the years pursuing excellence all the time, being resilient all the time, from generation to generation, and then being always positive and forward-looking no matter how tough the situation is. The real excellence of a business school relies on the real excellence of alumni. They pave the way for society to move in the right direction and are forever connected with the school. In a time like this, when there is a storm, there is uncertainty, there are challenges, there are difficulties, we are here for each other together and lay down ourselves for each other like a bridge over troubled water. There is a saying that the best way to predict the future is to create the future. So let’s create the future together.’

The Alumni Gala Dinner serves as a prominent highlight during the HKU Business School’s Alumni Homecoming Weekend (15-17 March). This weekend encompassed a range of activities, including a Distinguished Lecture, a Luncheon Talk, a Forum, a Campus Tour and Company Visits. The Distinguished Lecture featured Mr. Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, sharing valuable insights into Hong Kong’s vision for sustainable economic growth. During the Star Professor luncheon talk, Professor Michael B. Wong, Assistant Professor in Economics, Management and Strategy at HKU Business School, provided an in-depth analysis of the current state of the housing market and proposed potential solutions for the region’s challenges. The forum featured accomplished successful student athletes and leading sports business executives who shared their personal journeys, challenges, and remarkable achievements.  Moreover, the alumni had the opportunity to participate in a campus tour to learn about the latest developments of the university, as well as company visits to renowned Hong Kong companies, including Cathay Pacific Airways and Lee Kum Kee. These visits facilitated in-depth exchanges with industry professionals and helped the alumni understand the latest industry trends.

Photo Caption

(From left) Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School; The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; and Professor Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Founding Dean of HKU Business School & Philip Wong Kennedy Wong Professor in Political Economy of The University of Hong Kong

Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Founding Dean of HKU Business School & Philip Wong Kennedy Wong Professor in Political Economy of The University of Hong Kong, Professor Richard Wong delivered a welcoming speech

The Honorable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government delivered a keynote speech

HKU Business School’s Alumni Gala Dinner concluded successfully on 16 March, gathering over 600 alumni