Looking Ahead o inspire Hong Kong’s technology leaders of the future, the School of Engineering has launched the HKUST Entrepreneurship Fireside Chat Series, featuring successful tech entrepreneurs, who share their experience, vision, and ideas in interactive online discussions. The webinars have proved popular, with hundreds of University members and viewers from the wider community tuning in to take part in the sessions. At the most recent event in December , alumnus Dr. ZHANG Yunfei ( PhD and MPhil in Mechanical Engineering), who has set up China’s first unmanned surface vehicles company, related some of the challenges involved in starting and sustaining an enterprise. The Founder and President of Zhuhai Yunzhou Intelligence Technology Ltd. recommended would-be entrepreneurs adopt a “T-shaped” approach: horizontally broadening their business skill set while vertically deepening their knowledge of their chosen eld to facilitate business growth and development. Dr. Zhang also donated two “Dolphin ” surface rescue vehicles to the University to assist future learners and made the vehicles’ so ware available for students to explore. Earlier, Mr. Alfred CHUANG, an accomplished Hong Kong entrepreneur, venture investor, and company advisor, kicked o the series in June with a discussion on the impact of the COVID- pandemic on start-ups, the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing world, and the opportunities for technological innovations that o en came from a crisis. This was followed in July by a talk with Ms. Edith YEUNG, an experienced venture capitalist and technology executive, who has invested in over , companies. Ms. Yeung looked at building a global “unicorn” (a privately held start-up with value over US$ billion) in Hong Kong. In her advice to young founders seeking investment, she suggested they need to be prepared to answer questions on the “metrics” involved in their business, such as retention rate or monetization method for consumer start-ups or sales cycle for a business-to- business enterprise. She also highlighted the importance of being passionate and genuine about their idea. All three sessions were introduced by Dean of Engineering Prof. Tim CHENG and moderated by Adjunct Prof. Jack LAU, Electronic and Computer Engineering. Prof. Lau was the University’s rst PhD graduate and is an entrepreneur himself. T Dean of Engineering Prof. Tim Cheng (left) and alumnus and entrepreneur Prof. Jack Lau hosted the sessions. The online Fireside Chat Series on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and start-ups kicked off with Alfred Chuang (left) and has since featured Zhang Yunfei (center) and Edith Yeung. Entrepreneurs o er insight to next generation
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk5Njg=