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The HKU Business School Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture 2024 – “Navigating Shifts - Geopolitical and Post-Covid Supply Chain Realignment: Implications for the Mainland and Hong Kong”, hosted by HKU Business School, concluded successfully on 7 November 2024. The Lecture Series aspires to demonstrate the tradition of great respect for education and appreciation for teachers and mentors to future generations. This year, the School is honoured to have Professor Hau LEE, one of the world's leading experts in supply chain management, to give a keynote speech for the lecture. Held at HKU Loke Yew Hall, the Forum brought together a diverse audience of industry leaders and distinguished scholars, with over 400 people in attendance.

Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, said in his welcoming remarks, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Professor Edward CHEN for being the reason we are here today. His unwavering dedication to excellence in teaching and research has successfully nurtured the best of leaders over the years, inspiring countless students and serving as a remarkable role model. Despite the challenges facing Hong Kong, the HKU Business School has continued to make significant strides in enhancing our academic and research excellence. We are fortunate to have distinguished speakers from academia and the business community share their valuable insights, inspiring future generations through engaging conversations.”

The lecture commenced with a keynote speech delivered by Professor Hau LEE, Thoma Professor Emeritus of Operations, Information and Technology at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, titled “Geopolitical and Post-Covid Supply Chain Realignment: Implications for the Mainland and Hong Kong”. Professor LEE said, “Supply chains are not just about manufacturing; they also encompass innovation and design. The concept of 'Product DNA'—or a product's country of origin—is crucial in today’s complex global supply chain. I see opportunities for Hong Kong by specializing in service flows and creating agile, smart flows for information, finance, and logistics to enhance efficiency and drive competitiveness in the region.” He pointed out three major opportunities for corporations in light of the global supply chain rebalance and shift, namely redesigning the global supply chain with the “China Plus One” or “China Plus N” strategy, sound coordination and controlling of the bullwhip effect required to address the multiplicities of supply chain, and the supply chain expansion to emerging economies without compromising sustainability.

A panel discussion moderated by Ms. Marjorie YANG, Chairman of Esquel Group, was also conducted during the lecture, featuring Professor Max SHEN, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Chair Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at HKU; and Mr. Andy TUNG, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, QBN Capital Limited and the Vice Chairman of China-United States Exchange Foundation. The speakers shared insights on how the Mainland and Hong Kong could devise strategies to navigate the supply chain uncertainties amid the current volatile geopolitical environment. They also discussed Hong Kong’s unique role as a hub for supply chain and a control tower, leveraging technological innovations to enhance efficiency and connectivity.

Professor Edward K Y CHEN, Honorary Professor of HKU Business School, said in his closing remarks, “As we reflect on the evolving nature of global trade, we are reminded not only of the challenges we face but also of the opportunities that lie ahead for both the Mainland and Hong Kong.’’

The “Edward K Y Chen Distinguished Lecture” has been an annual event for the past 17 years, initiated by a group of former HKU students of Professor Edward K Y Chen. This Lecture Series represents a tribute to an honoured teacher and a distinguished scholar, highlighting the enduring value of education and the vital role of mentors in shaping future generations.

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About HKU Business School
Established in 2001, HKU Business School is one of the youngest and most dynamic members of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The School strives to nurture first-class business leaders and foster academic and relevant research to serve the needs of Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world in the new Asia-led economy. As a top international business school in Asia, the School engages leading scholars from all corners of the globe and they instil in students global knowledge with an Asian perspective. The School attracts top students from Hong Kong and beyond.

HKU Business School offers a full spectrum of business education, and has achieved remarkable growth in faculty strength and research capability in the last two decades. The School ranks Asia’s No.1 in UTD Research Rankings in 2021 and 2022; its full-time MBA has been ranked Asia’s no. 1 in the World MBA Rankings released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for 10 times and Hong Kong’s no.1 in QS Global MBA Rankings for 5 consecutive years. The School has well-established and strategic partnership with world renowned universities and corporate partners, providing market-oriented content, superior learning and instrumental resources for our students.

To better serve our students and alumni in various cities and regions and facilitate collaboration opportunities with business communities around the globe, HKU Business School has established a unique international network that extends to Beijing, Shenzhen, Vietnam and Tel Aviv. The School is well-positioned to be a leading, globally-impactful academic institution of business and economics.

HKU Business School is fully accredited by the European Quality Improvement Systems (EQUIS) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

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