“Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China“ Summer Virtual Programme 2024 marks another successful year with an Alumni Gathering at Shenzhen Campus

The annual summer programme, “Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in China (CIEC)” was successfully concluded online on June 19, 2024. Right after the completion of the fourth cohort of the CIEC programme, an in-person networking event was held on June 22, 2024 at Shenzhen Campus. The event offered CIEC past participants an opportunity to exchange ideas and forge connections with CIEC guest speakers and the student community.

The CIEC programme provides the younger generation with an in-depth understanding of the economic development in Hong Kong and Mainland China, as well as the latest trend in education, business, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the Greater Bay Area since its launch in 2019. In 2024, 62 students from different faculties at The University of Hong Kong and other top universities with diverse background were enrolled in the programme. With the innovative pedagogical approach, students actively participated in the CIEC with the guidance from CIEC Programme Co-Directors, Prof. Joseph Chan and Dr. Jing Li, throughout the class time, regardless of their geographic location.

This year, the CIEC programme collaborated with 10 companies from all walks of life, including biotechnology, drone technology, education, asset management, finance, human resources, property development, construction, retail and other innovative technology, such as Web3 development. The guest lectures offered students the opportunities to learn and gain insights into various industries from the guest speakers, who are either senior management or founders of the corporates. After learning from these business leaders, the programme provided students with ample opportunities to discuss, brainstorm and present their innovative ideas on various topics in smart construction, drone technology applications, retail business development and digital transformation in the debate sessions.

CIEC Programme Co-Directors, Prof. Chan and Dr. Li, had conducted interviews with guest speakers from these companies before the programme began. After broadcasting the interview videos, students got the chance to interact with the industry experts in the Q&A sessions throughout the 9-day programme. These interactive sessions offered valuable opportunities for students, not only to understand the real business landscape and environment, development and policy of different industries but also to explore their own future development and planning. 10 speakers for the guest lectures included (in alphabetical order of industry partners):

June Leung, Chairperson, BExcellent Group Holdings Limited
Rui Zhe Shao, Assistant President, China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited
Tommy Cheung, Managing Director, Club Essence
Jimmy Tsang, Deputy General Manager, Goldlion Holdings Limited
Junwei Tan, Chairman, Guangzhou Zhihui Group
Sammi Wong, Leader, HKSTP Ventures
Jackson Chan, Co-founder & Executive Director, KOS International Holdings Limited
Justin Yeung, Secretary to the Board of Directors, Shenzhen DAMODA Intelligent Control Technology Co., Limited
Timmy Leung, Director of Treasury, Shui On Land
Jimmy Tao, CEO, Vitargent (International) Biotechnology Limited

Towards the end of the programme, Mr. Chan gave his greatest appreciation, not only to Dr. Jing Li, the CIEC Programme Co-Director, Dr. Ernest Lo who supported the guest interview shooting, the student ambassadors who supported the translation of the guest lectures, the CIEC working team and its collaborators, but also to all participating students who were fully engaged and involved in learning throughout the 9-day programme.

“Different guests have shared their own experience, thoughts and insight in different areas. I believe students are able to learn, not only from their past experience but more importantly, how they see the current business environment”, said Mr. Chan. He hopes these insights can open up the students’ mind with a better understanding of different industries so that they can seize future opportunities ahead. Mr. Chan added, “Although the programme has come to an end, the CIEC community is here to support your future development with the resources we built.”

Dr. Li also expressed her appreciation for the active participation of all students. “Your reaction, contribution and participation throughout different sections helped to develop a very good synergy between teachers and students. I am also deeply impressed by your growth and significant improvement from the first debate session to the last one”. Dr. Li is confident that the comprehensive information delivered through the guest lectures, Q&A, discussion and lectures will be useful for students’ future learning and career development. “You will find some clues or reference from today’s CIEC programme when trying to develop new connections or solve new problems in future”.

After the conclusion of CIEC 2024, we took the opportunity to host a CIEC Alumni Networking Event at the HKU Business School Shenzhen Campus. Past participants from 4 cohorts since 2019 and guest speakers gathered for the whole day event on June 22, 2024. The CIEC community had the chance to explore the Shenzhen Campus and its incubation centre – YUAN Valley in the morning, followed by a networking session with prominent CIEC guests in the afternoon.

It was an unforgettable gathering, bringing together a diverse array of CIEC past participants and guests for an invaluable opportunity to forge connections, exchange ideas, and strengthen the vibrant CIEC community after the programme. This event underscores the continued growth and unity of the CIEC community, and we look forward to bringing more positive impacts towards students’ development.