Industry leaders share expertise on entrepreneurship and AI at CB3020 Advanced Business Seminar Series
The CB3020 Advanced Business Seminar series continued its successful run in March and April 2025, featuring prominent leaders from the e-commerce, technology, and financial sectors. The series hosted Mr Alfred Chuang, Founder and General Partner of Race Capital; Mr Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp.; and Ms Fangfang Chen, Asia Pacific Chair and Asia Pacific Head (Asset Servicing and Digital) of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
Mr Alfred Chuang, Founder and General Partner of Race Capital, shares his entrepreneurial journey with our business students.
On 25 March, Mr Alfred Chuang, a member of the College International Advisory Board, shared his entrepreneurial journey and offered strategic advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Addressing the current business landscape, including the AI revolution, Mr Chuang urged students to identify their unique niche rather than attempting to replicate Silicon Valley's model. He emphasised the importance of Hong Kong leveraging its inherent strengths to cultivate a distinctive identity in the global market. He advised students to prioritise building strong relationships with compatible co-founders and underscored the symbiotic relationship between a university's success and the achievements of its alumni, encouraging them to actively support the institution.
The 8 April seminar featured Mr Albert Wong, who focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and Hong Kong's evolving role in the technology ecosystem. Drawing on his 30 years of experience in commercial, industrial, and leadership positions within multinational corporations, Mr Wong provided insights into the China and Asia-Pacific markets. He emphasised the critical importance of product-market fit, highlighted the contrasting mindsets prevalent in Silicon Valley and China, and stressed the necessity of financial literacy for all entrepreneurs, even those focused on technology. He encouraged students to pursue internships and participate in more business case competitions to gain real-life business solution experiences.
Mr Albert Wong, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corp., provides insights into the China and Asia-Pacific markets.
Ms Fangfang Chen, Asia Pacific Chair and Asia Pacific Head (Asset Servicing and Digital) of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, encourages students to adopt a "trial and error" approach to career exploration.
Another member of the College International Advisory Board, Ms Fangfang Chen came to share on 15 April, offering a compelling overview of BNY Mellon's role as a global financial infrastructure, powering cross-border trade and investment – a critical understanding for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the global marketplace. Ms Chen highlighted BNY Mellon's strategic approach to AI adoption, emphasising purpose-driven solutions, scalable infrastructure, and a hybrid on-premise/cloud-based model. This approach mirrors the entrepreneurial need for agile and efficient technology integration. Ms Chen also offered career guidance to students by encouraging them to be proactive, embrace calculated risks – a cornerstone of entrepreneurship – and adopt a "trial and error" approach to career exploration, echoing the iterative process of building a successful venture. She underscored the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the rapidly evolving financial landscape, a vital skill for any business student seeking to stay ahead of the curve.
In each seminar, select business students served as moderators, collaborating with Professor Raymond Wong (former Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programmes, College of Business) to engage the guest speakers in dynamic Q&A sessions following their presentations. The student moderators facilitated discussions, voicing their perspectives and posing questions relevant to the ever-changing Hong Kong business environment. This interactive element fostered engaging dialogue and exemplified the College of Business's commitment to innovative business education.
Students lauded the CB3020 seminar series for its impact on their academic and professional development. Arnav Bhavnani (BBA Finance) said, “The course CB3020 has been such an interesting experience in my academic journey.” And noted the value of hearing from diverse professionals, gaining insights into industry mindsets and leadership qualities. Jun Szeto (BBA Global Operations Management) highlighted the seminars' role in shaping career and personal goals, emphasising the importance of motivation, resilience, and balance for success. Michelle Zhu (BBA Global Business) appreciated the opportunity to learn from accomplished individuals willing to share their experiences and uplift others, reinforcing the idea that true success involves giving back and continuous learning. Aleksandar Stoykov (BBA Information Management) added, “The Advanced Business Seminars were such a great experience, opening my eyes to so many new ways of thinking about business, coming up with ideas, and growing as a person.” He also emphasised how the speakers inspired him to develop a 10-year plan focused on leveraging technology, building an adaptable career, and pursuing purpose-driven personal goals.
Professor Kalok Chan, Dean of the College of Business, expressed his appreciation, saying, "As Dean, I am committed to bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice. We are immensely grateful for the contributions of distinguished leaders like Mr Alfred Chuang, Mr Albert Wong, and Ms Fangfang Chen. Our goal is to make these first-hand interactions a core component of our students' learning experience. Direct engagement with industry leaders who are shaping markets, navigating challenges, and driving innovation provides invaluable insights that cannot be replicated through textbooks alone. We believe these experiences inspire our students and equip them with a practical understanding of the business landscape, empowering them to confidently pursue their careers and become impactful leaders. We will continue to create these opportunities, ensuring our graduates possess both the theoretical knowledge and practical insights necessary for success."
Professor Kalok Chan, Dean of the College of Business, expresses his appreciation to the guest speakers and emphasises his commitment to bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world practice to our business students.
The College of Business will offer the CB3020 / CB3020 Plus seminar course in the upcoming academic year, featuring more distinguished business leaders from Hong Kong. These seminars will continue to provide students with direct engagement opportunities, offering insights beyond traditional classroom learning. Course details and guest speaker information will be released soon. Stay tuned for updates.
