HSBC and HKU Join Hands to Empower Hong Kong’s Next Generation and Enhance their Employability

In today’s competitive job market, academic excellence alone isn’t enough—students need proven real-world experience to stand out. The HSBC/HKU Business Case Challenge – Building Skills for Tomorrow, held from 4th to 7th March, provided exactly that: teams from nine Hong Kong universities tackled real business challenges, developed targeted solutions, and presented them to a judging panel composed of senior executives from leading organisations in Hong Kong. The top team City University of Hong Kong will go on to represent Hong Kong at the global finals from 1st to 5th June 2026, competing against 23 teams from Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

Huifeng Zhang, Head of Sustainability Strategy, Philanthropy & Partnership, Asia & Middle East, HSBC, said: “Each year, we see students bring fresh perspectives, strong analytical rigour, and a real sense of purpose to the challenge. This year’s focus on the entertainment sector and mega event economy is especially timely, as Hong Kong accelerates its efforts to attract international events and boost economic activity. At HSBC, we are committed to nurturing future talent and supporting initiatives that empower young people to develop the skills needed for tomorrow’s workforce. Through this experience, students build fundamental capabilities in creative thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving—preparing the next generation to help businesses adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world.”

Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean of HKU Business School, said: “With the rapid advancements of AI, the career landscape for fresh graduates is more competitive than ever before. Prospective graduates not only need to acquire the knowledge from their classes but also build the digital intelligence and human leadership needed to stand apart with purpose, empathy, and creativity. By working on case studies rooted in Hong Kong’s corporate environment and workplace culture, this competition presents a perfect opportunity for students to sharpen their skills and develop a competitive edge needed for the AI era.”

In the lead-up to both the Hong Kong challenge and the global finals, HKU Business School has been hosting a series of workshops and training sessions, in collaboration with regional universities and NGOs. Streamed from different locations worldwide, these sessions bring together experts to guide students through problem-solving, teamwork, case analysis, and compelling storytelling, while deepening their understanding of financial decision-making and sustainable business practices.

Past participants have leveraged their experience to secure roles at leading firms, crediting the upskilling they gained in real-world problem-solving and communication. With strong support from industry leaders such as HSBC and HKU, the event continues to play a key role in empowering Hong Kong’s next generation to navigate their future with confidence.

Timson Lau, Private Equity & Venture Capital Analyst at Prospera Asset Management, shared: “It strengthened my analytical rigour and sharpened my presentation skills under pressure, ultimately helping me stand out in recruitment.”

Elisha Rai, Operations Analyst at Euroclear, shared: “The case challenge taught me to tackle complex problems under pressure—skills I use daily at Euroclear, along with a confident, collaborative mindset.”

For more information on Business Case Challenge in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region, please visit: https://competition.acrc.hku.hk/

Photo Caption

Adam Sutherland Gear, Yan Kei Woo, Jeenendra Agarwal, Rhea Patricia Kowara from City University of Hong Kong, top team for the HSBC/HKU Business Case Challenge

Adam Sutherland Gear of City University of Hong Kong was presenting the case study

Jeenendra Agarwal of City University of Hong Kong was presenting the case study

Yan Kei Woo of City University of Hong Kong was presenting the case study

Participants from 9 Hong Kong universities gathered for the HSBC/HKU Business Case Challenge

Team City University of Hong Kong presenting during the final round of the HSBC/HKU Business Case Challenge

The top team City University of Hong Kong

The top team City University of Hong Kong stands alongside the judging panel

The top team from City University of Hong Kong takes home the top prize

Joe Wong, Founder of Open Dialogue (middle) with Open Dialogue team

Huifeng Zhang, Head of Sustainability Strategy, Philanthropy & Partnership, Asia & Middle East, HSBC

Professor Xi Li, Professor of Marketing and Innovation and Information Management, and Director, Asia Case Research Centre, and Associate Director, Institute of Digital Economy and Innovation

Other teams