HKUST Annual Report 2019-2020

Fintech Manpower Study To address the growing demand for Fintech talent in Hong Kong, researchers at the School of Business and Management completed and shared the findings of a major industry-wide study on “Fintech Talent Development, Competency and Manpower” with industry stakeholders and the media. The first-of-its-kind study, led by Prof. TAM Kar-Yan (Information Systems, Business Statistics and Operations Management), outlines 10 observations about the fintech industry, makes 10 recommendations on talent development, and identifies 13 core competencies for fintech professionals. The findings are based on a series of executive interviews, surveys, validation sessions, and the support and participation of more than 80 fintech organizations. Executive Dialogues Partnerships between the School of Business and Management and the Asia Society in Hong Kong led to informative talks on entrepreneurship and corporate management. These included Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA’s inaugural Leadership Series involving a face-to- face discussion with leading entrepreneurs on education trends and economic shifts for future opportunities in the Greater Bay Area; and an online forum featuring three female corporate CEOs who transitioned to the art sector. The “Starting Young, Starting Smart” event encouraged closer ties between entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and India. WIDENING BUSINESS PERSPECTIVES Numerous activities to strengthen awareness of local and South China cultural heritage among students and the community took place over the year, organized and assisted by the South China Research Center, under the School of Humanities and Social Science. The Center has played a major role in generating and nurturing Hong Kong’s inventory list of items under the UNESCOConvention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Initiatives in 2019-20 included organizing the first Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival, located in the eponymous centuries-old Catholic Hakka village in Sai Kung; a student-conducted oral history and video project researching different residential groups (elderly, physically challenged, new migrants, among others) in Ngau Tau Kok; and the formation of Hong Kong Tin Hau Festival Association and Hong Kong Cheongsam Association, together with a submission to add the Tin Hau Festival and the cheongsam to the fifth National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. EXPLORING CULTURAL HERITAGE Support through donations from the community indicated the strength and diversity of ties between HKUST and the wider society. Under the Hong Kong government’s Eighth Matching Grant Scheme, the University collected a total of $1.147 billion in donations and subsequently received $600 million matching funds from the government, the maximum amount possible under the scheme. Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd. gave a donation to support research and education, including a professorship and joint research institute, while a gift from the Seal of Love Charitable Foundation will see the setting up of the Seal of Love Foundation Student Innovative Service Fund. The University has named a wing of its Academic Building, the Seal of Love Charitable Foundation Wing, in appreciation of the gift. The University also received a donation from the estate of HKUST’s Founding Council Chairman to establish the Sze-Yuen Chung Fund. Sir CHUNG Sze- Yuen, who served HKUST for over two decades in different roles, played a crucial part in HKUST’s establishment and remained a constant champion of the University. He passed away in 2018. DONATIONS FOR EDUCATION Regarding campus development, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust pledged a donation to support the construction of the UG Residence. The forward-looking complex will offer more than 1,500 places in four residential buildings to undergraduates from different backgrounds to gain experience of campus living in a smart and sustainable living and learning environment. It will now be named the Jockey Club i-Village, emphasizing the concept of an enterprising global community, with the “i” representing the dual ideas of internationalization and innovation. HKUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019-2020 31 30 CONNECTING People and Communities