School News

The fifth cohort of the annual summer programme, “Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China (CIEC)” was successfully concluded online on June 18, 2025. Held from June 10 – 18, 2025, this innovative programme brought together 47 students from a rich diversity of nationalities and backgrounds across The University of Hong Kong and overseas institutions, reflecting its commitment to fostering global perspectives. the programme offered a comprehensive exploration of economic development, business trends, and entrepreneurial opportunities in China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Since its inception in 2019, the CIEC programme continues to empower the younger generation with insights into creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, aligning with the School’s mission to nurture future leaders in the rapidly evolving economic landscape. This year’s CIEC programme continued to promote an innovative pedagogical approach of teaching, combining engaging lectures, interactive activities, and real-world industry insights delivered through a dynamic, online format led by the Programme Co-Directors, Prof. Joseph Chan and Dr. Jing Li. Key topics included the role of city clusters, the technological advancements in the GBA, and Hong Kong’s evolving position as an innovation hub.

The unique feature of the CIEC programme was its emphasis on real-world industry engagement. This year’s programme collaborated with 12 companies and diversified conglomerate across various sectors, including arts and culture, asset management, family wealth services, real estate consulting, digital marketing, tourism, education and conservation, sustainability, social enterprise, AI, big data, and other innovative technology. The guest lectures offered students the opportunity to learn from and gain first-hand industry insights from senior management and founders. Prof. Chan and Dr. Li conducted pre-programme interviews with guest speakers, which were broadcasted in lectures, and facilitated interactive Q&A sessions throughout the 9-day programme. These sessions allowed students to interact with the distinguished guests directly and explore the real business landscape, industry developments, and potential career paths. 13 speakers for the guest lectures included (in alphabetical order of industry partners):

• Grant Sun, Partner, Blackhills Consulting Ltd.
• Ikey Cheung, Co-founder & Speech Therapist, Edge Development Centre
• Louise Kwong, Founder, Fame Singing Academy
• Daniel Lo, Founder & CEO, Gogochart Technology Ltd.
• Connie Leung, Managing Director, Great Horse International Ltd.
• Sage Lin, Founder, Illuminati Fine Art
• James Tong, Director, Group Public Affairs, John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd.
• Alex Ma, CEO, Luk Ka International Ltd.
• Aman Wang, Vice President of Global Strategy & Investment and CEO of UK, Ireland & Nordics, Ming Yang Smart Energy
• Franklin Law, Marketing Director, Ocean Park Hong Kong
• Junfei Ren, Founder & CEO, Pando Finance Ltd.
• Jean Marie Mercadal, CEO, SYNCICAP Asset Management Ltd.
• Melissa Zhang, Senior Vice President, Sales & Business Development, SYNCICAP Asset Management Ltd.

In addition, students participated in case studies, group discussions, cultural exploration activities, and debate challenges which fostered collaborative learning and deepened understanding of GBA’s dynamic economic and cultural landscape. Students actively engaged in discussions and presentations on topics such as cultural development, technological innovation, and business strategies during debate sessions regardless of their geographical location. The diverse nationalities of this cohort, including students from Bangladesh, Canada, India, Italy, Philippines, South Korea and United Kingdom fostered an international environment where ideas and cultures intersect. This diversity, coupled with the programme’s innovative teaching method, exemplifies its commitment to cultivating creative, forward-thinking future leaders ready to make a global impact.

Towards the end of the programme, programme directors Prof. Chan and Dr. Li expressed their gratitude to the students and staff for their engagement and active participation throughout the 9-day programme. Mr. Daniel Lo, the guest speaker for the last lecture, was praised for his insightful interviews and his willingness to answer students’ questions, not only about business but also regarding how he recommended students develop themselves, making for a truly excellent final session of the programme. The Programme Directors highlighted the students’ development and encouraged them to remain connected with the CIEC community, both locally and internationally.

Dr. Jing Li remarked, “We always try our best to bring something different, which you may probably not easily see from our regular undergraduate teaching or even postgraduate teaching. Every year, we feel like the CIEC Programme is a highly dynamic and ever-changing programme.” Dr. Li stated that the goal of this programme is to provide a dynamic learning experience that goes beyond traditional classroom teaching, incorporating the latest developments in the Greater Bay Area to enrich students’ understanding. The enthusiasm, thoughtful contributions, and collaborative spirit of students have been instrumental in making this programme a success, and Dr. Li deeply appreciated the energy that students brought to every session.

Prof. Joseph Chan was grateful for students’ engagement over the short programme. “In around 10 sessions, we can already see that you are developing quite well. I think this is a step towards your future development,” Prof. Chan added that it was remarkable to see how well the students have embraced the diverse activities, from patient listening during interviews to posing well-crafted questions that deepened the in-class discussions. This programme, though short, marks a significant step in their personal and professional development. The CIEC team is committed to fostering an international CIEC network that spans Hong Kong, Mainland China, Europe, United States, India, Bangladesh, and beyond, with potential in-person events on the horizon.

For more event photos, please visit https://www.hkubs.hku.hk/ciec/gallery/.