During my time at HKU, the Capstone Course left the strongest impression on me. It was my favourite course because it involved taking on a real business project, allowing me to apply classroom skills directly to a real-world context.
In the Capstone Course, my team built a national business entity ranking model, along with a sales and annual customer flow forecasting model for the Ni Ning Company. The team tested multiple methods, continually refining the model to improve its accuracy and practicality. I was mainly responsible for building the user interface. I initially tried a web-based version, but it ran too slowly, so I switched to creating a pop-up interface in Python that prompts users to input data and generates the output. This was not just a technical hurdle but also an exercise that refined my logical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Throughout the process, Professor Wei Zhang’s guidance showcased the rigour and commitment of an education at HKU. Ultimately, the project’s outcomes were recognised by the company and put into practical use.
I was introduced to the world of business and data analytics during my two years at Foodpanda Hong Kong. My time there revealed the transformative power of big data, where I became fascinated by the ability to extract meaningful insights from complex datasets and turn them into actionable strategies. This experience solidified my determination to pursue a Master of Science in Business Analytics at HKU Business School, as I recognised the need for advanced knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving landscape of data-driven decision-making.
At HKU Business School, I am impressed by the school’s commitment to preparing students for their future careers. The curriculum is designed not only to provide theoretical knowledge but also to emphasize practical applications and real-world experiences. Faculty members are dedicated to mentoring students, guiding us in identifying our strengths and weaknesses, and actively supporting our career aspirations. The school’s focus on professional development and industry connections reassures me that I will be well-equipped to achieve my career goals.
I love the fast-paced lifestyle in Hong Kong, which enables me to maintain a positive attitude towards life and a highly efficient learning status at all times, and motivates me to keep striving to improve my personal capabilities.
HKU Business School allows students to choose their graduation time flexibly. The modular system of the school allows students to enjoy a great deal of autonomy in their choices. We can schedule our own classes and strive to finish most of the courses in the previous modules, and spend the rest of the time on internships, job hunting, travelling, and so forth.
I majored in Broadcast Journalism for my bachelor’s degree but developed an interest in marketing during my internship at LVMH’s marketing department. This compelled me to pivot my academic journey, leading me to apply for the Master of Science in Marketing at HKU Business School to learn about this field with a more structured approach.
I did not choose HKU by pure chance; it was a deliberate decision based on my own needs. HKU is a leading institute in Asia with international teaching staff and advanced resources. Its Marketing programme also warmly welcomes students who change disciplines midway. HKU’s curriculum covers both theories and industry practice. This is especially helpful for students like me who have practical experience but lack the professional background. Additionally, HKU offers attractive flexibility. Students can choose to graduate in either June or November, based on their own pace. This provided me with more career prospects, particularly the opportunity to join the Autumn Job Fair, giving me further advantages in the competitive market.
The main reasons for choosing HKU Business School include: 1. Employment Resources: The school offers extensive resources such as career counselling, internships and professional photo shoots to greatly assist first-time job seekers; 2. Diverse Job Opportunities: Studying at HKU allows us to tap into both the Hong Kong and Mainland China job markets, enhancing our job-seeking flexibility; 3. Flexible Graduation Time: With the option of getting my diploma in July or November, I can attend two rounds of autumn recruitment to maximise my chances of employment and minimise the cost of time.
As Asia’s financial hub, Hong Kong allows me to broaden my horizons, meet talented individuals, and gain more career opportunities. Hong Kong is also a multicultural and highly inclusive city, allowing me to be myself while making friends with diversified people from different regions.
After joining HKU Business School, I was soon exposed to real-world knowledge across various disciplines and had the opportunity to listen to people from different industries share their knowledge and experience. I thoroughly enjoyed these student activities, from which I gained many industry insights, and also established some valuable social networks.
I majored in Marketing at the University of Sydney for my undergraduate degree, and at that time I was keen to gain some knowledge with an international and global perspective, so after graduation I chose to pursue a Master of Global Management at HKU Business School.
During my postgraduate studies at HKU Business School, I enrolled in an ESG course which I was deeply interested in. When I got in touch with Dr. Shipeng YAN, the course instructor, I found that he was quite willing to help students to further develop their knowledge beyond the classroom. So, I was lucky enough to get involved in the project and published an article about ESG in the Hong Kong Economic Journal with Dr. YAN. Therefore, I have always believed that many opportunities are self-earned.
I fully utilised the faculty’s career resources to prepare for working in Hong Kong. I joined the mentorship programme and developed a meaningful connection with my mentor and fellow alumni member, Jerry Li – a seasoned professional with extensive strategic experience. He offered guidance on job hunting and actively participated in my career planning, helping me identify my strengths, evaluate prospects, and set a clear direction.
Moreover, I engaged in various activities, acquiring diverse advice from industry experts like Paul Li, an experienced senior executive in medicine, a sector investor, former General Manager of Asia Pacific for CSL Behring, and now a board member of several corporations and professional organisations. All of these resources aided my successful establishment in the Hong Kong job market.
After five years of working, it was quite an exciting journey for me to go back to school. The programme and curriculum at HKU Business School provided a good balance between academic theories and practices in the real-life business context, which allowed me to reflect on and re-look at everything that I have done in the past five years. All the projects that I did at work became my own case studies.
The empowerment, the group dynamic, and the teamwork culture were a few other highlights that I enjoyed and appreciated a lot. Together with the team, we were able to apply theories into practice along with our imaginative and innovative ideas. We also received constant feedback from our experienced professors throughout the programme.
Apart from traditional exams, we were also put “on stage” and under the spotlight to pitch our business proposals and analyses not only in front of our classmates but also “clients” from various industries. It was indeed a fun and memorable experience.
Aside from the beautiful surroundings of HKU’s Cyberport campus, I also genuinely enjoyed my lessons. My favourite courses, including China in Global Economy and Financial Services Regulations, were taught by Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Dean of HKU Business School, and Prof. Douglas Arner, Head of Asian Institute of International Financial Law. These courses opened my mind to global economic trends and financial technology regulations. As students engaged in objective discussions and analyses, I found that I had never encountered such diverse perspectives that were equally valued and transcended geographical boundaries when I was studying in Europe.
The career workshops and mentorship opportunities were incredibly valuable. They helped me systematically optimise my LinkedIn profile, boost my confidence in presenting myself professionally, and expand my network of high-quality contacts. In fact, these connections opened doors for me to secure freelance opportunities while I was still a student—which was a great way to apply what I was learning in real-world situations. HKU offers numerous opportunities, but whether you can make the most of them depends on you. If you’re determined to learn, the programme will definitely reward your efforts.
Originally from Brazil, I came to Hong Kong with my husband for his work and chose to pursue my studies at HKU. The experience broadened my international perspective and allowed me to seamlessly transition into a top-tier startup environment with many different nationalities. I credit the HKU programme for this smooth progression. Our teachers constantly reminded us to understand business and consider how data could serve banking strategies, not just focus on our own roles. This mindset helped me fit into that environment.
For me, MSc(BA) was more than a degree—it was a career launchpad. Today, I have embarked on my entrepreneurial journey by founding TraceLab, a technology company dedicated to providing data protection services for individuals and companies, thereby upholding my conviction that “data can improve lives”.
