New round of corporate leaders sharing session in CB3020 Advanced Business Seminar
Following the positive feedback from students who completed the CB3020 Advanced Business Seminar in Semester A 2024/25, the College of Business is excited to keep the momentum rolling in Semester B. This semester, six prominent industry leaders are joining the CB3020 Advanced Business Seminar series to share their insights. The first three seminars were held in March 2025, featuring speakers from the art and culture development, transportation, and banking sectors. The speakers included Mr Bernard Chan, GBM, GBS, JP, Chairman of Asia Financial Holdings Ltd; Dr Jacob Kam, JP, CEO of MTR Corporation; and Ms Aveline San, CEO & Head of Banking of Citi HK & Macau.
Mr Bernard Chan highlights the importance of viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth, inspiring our students to adapt and thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape.
On 4 March, Mr Bernard Chan shared his extensive business experiences, from running a hospital in Thailand and developing it into a health tourism hub, to operating the West Kowloon Cultural District and ushering in a new era of art and cultural business in Hong Kong. During his presentation, he highlighted the importance of viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth, inspiring our students to adapt and thrive in today’s dynamic business landscape. He remarked, “Embrace setbacks as opportunities to adapt. In a world that evolves at a breathtaking pace, adaptability has become an essential strength.”
The seminar on 11 March featured Dr Jacob Kam, CEO of MTR Corporation, which connects Hong Kong with efficient and reliable transport, carrying over 5 million passengers daily. He shared his journey from being a mechanical engineer to advancing in general management. Dr Kam discussed the challenges of running a mass transportation system and how they turned obstacles into opportunities. He emphasised the importance of excellence and dedication in every task, encouraging students to build a foundation of trust for future opportunities. Dr Kam advised, “Whatever your regular duties may be, strive to perform them with excellence, for it is through your dedication that you earn the trust to take on greater responsibilities.”
Dr Jacob Kam shares his journey from being a mechanical engineer to advancing in general management.
Ms Aveline San shares emerging banking industry trends and the implications of AI on the future of work.
Ms Aveline San delivered her seminar on 18 March, introducing Citi Bank's operations in Hong Kong and Macau. Her presentation covered a wide range of topics, from emerging banking industry trends and the implications of AI on the future of work to fostering a culture of innovation and the importance of constantly future-proofing ourselves. Acknowledging the concerns that AI may pose to young professionals, she encouraged aspiring bankers, saying, “AI is not new; it will continue to be a key driver of global economic growth in the future. AI will not replace bankers, but it will replace those bankers who do not use AI.”
In each seminar, business students took on the pivotal role of moderators, engaging with the guest speakers after their presentations. They posed thought-provoking questions that encouraged their peers to rethink their understanding of business and consider their career paths more critically. This interactive component fostered dynamic dialogue and exemplified the innovative approach to business education that the College of Business is proud to promote. Professor Kalok Chan, Dean of the College of Business, expressed his gratitude, saying, “We are incredibly fortunate to have such esteemed leaders share their insights with our students. Their experiences inspire and equip our students with the knowledge they need to navigate their future careers successfully.” By facilitating these discussions, our student moderators also had the opportunity to enhance their learning experience and prepare for future challenges in the business world.
Professor Kalok Chan, Dean of the College of Business, welcomes the speakers and thanks them for sharing their experiences with our students.
The College of Business is committed to bridging the gap between academics and industry, bringing powerful role models to our business students, offering diverse perspectives and inspiring them to explore various career paths. The College will continue to host more engaging seminars this semester featuring esteemed business leaders who will share their invaluable experiences and knowledge.
