Campus Digest

School of Business hosts EFMD Conference to explore awareness and collaboration between Europe and Asia

18 Mar 2013

Professor Rick Wong (second from left), Professor Stephen Cheung (left), Professor Mark Smelik (second from right), Chairperson of the EFMD Conference, and Professor Christian Delporte (right), Director of Business School Services, EFMD, present a souveni Professor Rick Wong (second from left), Professor Stephen Cheung (left), Professor Mark Smelik (second from right), Chairperson of the EFMD Conference, and Professor Christian Delporte (right), Director of Business School Services, EFMD, present a souveni
Professor Rick Wong (second from left), Professor Stephen Cheung (left), Professor Mark Smelik (second from right), Chairperson of the EFMD Conference, and Professor Christian Delporte (right), Director of Business School Services, EFMD, present a souveni

 

The School of Business hosted the “2013 EFMD Conference for International, External and Corporate Relations, PR, Marketing, Communication and Alumni Professionals” (EFMD Conference) last week (14-15 March), which brought together experts and practitioners worldwide to discuss issues relating to the theme “Bridging the ‘Gap’ – Awareness and Collaboration between Europe and Asia”.  

 

In his welcoming remarks, Professor Rick Wong, Vice-President (Research and Development), said: “HKBU is very honoured to be chosen by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) to host this significant conference, which is being held in Asia for the first time and has attracted participants from over 20 countries. I am sure that it will serve as a great networking opportunity for professionals to exchange ideas and views with peers from all over the world.”  

 

Professor Stephen Cheung, Dean of Business, said in his speech that the School of Business has been striving to strengthen its ties with key external partners from a wide range of geographic locations, including North America, Australia, Europe and Asia. He said: “A growing pool of international students means that institutions of higher education should redefine their roles in the global market and actively engage in innovative and culture-conscious initiatives so as to reach out to a much broader audience.”  

 

The Conference also invited Mrs. Cherry Tse, Permanent Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government, to share her valuable experience at a keynote speech entitled “Hong Kong as a Regional Education Hub”. She said: “The education reform taking place in Hong Kong now is one that encourages lifelong learning and diversity, and promotes internationalisation. For example, through newly established policies and curriculum, not only do we see more and more international students choosing Hong Kong as their study destination, but local students here are also given many more opportunities to gain overseas experience as exchange students.”