Public Lecture and Panel Talk with Stanford’s Prof Peter DeMarzo
HKU Business School was honoured to host a compelling public lecture by Prof. Peter DeMarzo, the John G. McDonald Professor of Finance and former Dean at Stanford University Graduate School of Business of Business, at HKU iCube on 4 November. Bringing together more than 150 alumni, students, industry leaders, and friends of Stanford University, the event marked an energising first step toward our School’s 25th anniversary in 2026!
Prof. Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics at HKU Business School, kicked off the event with a warm welcome and reaffirmed our commitment to leverage the School’s academic excellence as well as international network to address complex global forces through rigorous research, engaged policy dialogue, and a future-ready curriculum that empowers the next generation to lead.
Prof. DeMarzo delivered an enlightening lecture on “Sovereign Debt and Financial Fragility.” He examined why sovereign debt feels more fragile today as borrowing costs rise while growth remains uneven. He explained sustainability math and how political myopia and limited commitment create sovereign debt ratchets. He also discussed potential policy responses against the backdrop of aging demographics and expanding entitlements.
An insightful panel moderated by Prof. Yang Liu, Associate Professor at HKU Business School, explored how business leaders can navigate future trends through innovation and cross-sector collaboration, in addition to how Hong Kong can capitalise on its unique position amid a shifting global landscape. We were privileged to hear valuable insights from Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President (Global) of The University of Hong Kong and Associate Dean (External Relations) of HKU Business School, and Mr. Duane Kuang, Founding Managing Partner of Qiming Venture Partners. Following the panel, the Q&A session saw the participants actively engaged in discussion with the panellists.
Thank you to everyone who joined this fruitful exchange. We look forward to sustaining this momentum, driving impact together, and empowering one another on our journey to 2026.
