Grace FU
Marketing Director,
Fuduan Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
This place is where you meet your true self.
Back in August 2019, more than 200 new members of the HKU-FDU IMBA family were gathered in the auditorium, attending the opening ceremony of their Orientation Camp. As the person-in-charge and host of the event, I was way more enthusiastic than the others because I had the opportunity to guide the elites from HKU-FDU IMBA Programme through a brilliant experience at the very beginning of their IMBA journey. It was indeed one of the most meaningful highlights in my life.
There are truthfully countless fruitful stories being shared by participants and industry leaders in the IMBA programme.
Whenever I take a stand on stage under the spotlight, I prosper every single time by taking on responsibility, being creative and servicing the school community. It also made me realize the abundant creative ability and sense of responsibility possessed inside me.
On the platform of advanced education, I am practicing the leadership advocated by IMBA while discovering my true self to become a better person.
This place is where you meet the true world.
In November 2019, I participated in the one-week Israel Field Trip. Prior to the departure, my impression to Israel was nothing but a foreign and remote nation burning in the flames of war. However, once the journey began, there was not a sound of complaint or disappointment thereafter.
We were extremely impressed by the high-quality courses in the realm of culture and business at Tel Aviv University. At Peres Center for Peace & Innovation, we submerged in the virtual reality experience showcasing the cutting-edge technology of the up-and-coming intercontinental transportation and artificial intelligence medical treatment.
In a communist neighborhood, we visited the world’s best drip irrigation agricultural plant, a technique that has revolutionized agriculture in Israel and all around the globe. Under the Wailing Wall of Jerusalem, we admired the beauty of the historic city and planted a seed of peace in our hearts. We have learned to understand a country, to respect a country, and even to fall in love with a country.
“It is better to travel ten thousand miles than to read ten thousand books”. In a brand new territory, the fresh scenery enables me to explore unfamiliarity, to accept diversity, to eliminate partiality, and to feel the reality.
How fortunate that my IMBA opened both doors of the true self and the real world for me at the same time.
May your soul of true self meets the real world to experience a wonderful life.
Long NGAN
Managing Director,
Africa Uniforms Ltd.
Life is full of exclamation marks “!” and question marks “?”. Surprises and uncertainties are inevitable especially when we are adults. The more we desire to master the game of life and be in control of what’s going to happen, the more likely “!” and “?” will strike from nowhere and knock us off from our chairs. This reality nailed a hammer on my head after spending years treading water in my career path. I was disoriented and desperately seeking for a way out. Not until I enrolled into the HKU-FDU IMBA Programme, I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
On top of the fruitful academic curriculum, IMBA offers ample opportunities for students to become a slash. Slash “/” used to be just a punctuation when it was first introduced to us in English class. But it represents a status that we long to achieve in modern fashion. We might already be familiar with the terms “slash youth”, “slash generation”, and “slash career”, slashing oneself is rapidly reckoned to be a trend to self-recognition and self-improvement. Slash becomes a motivation to retain, a goal to accomplish, or “slash”, a purpose to striving forward. The core spirit of slashing is to explore and develop hobbies in different calibers. Textbooks are just a tool, what we need is hands on experience. The programme enables me to discover slash(s) outside of my comfort zone by acting on it, something that I am fond of all along. When an act grows into a habit and a habit turns into a talent, it empowers me to have multiple identities in various aspects.
Upgrade yourself comprehensively before it is too late because it is the only way to survive in this ever-changing world.
“Knowledge gained through experience is far superior and many times more useful than bookish knowledge.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Danny SHEN
Chief Representative,
Netherland Airport Consultants
After leaving campus for 10 years, I wanted to join an MBA programme which could help me to get a full range of transformations. Thus, I compared several programmes and made the decision carefully.
I finally chose to join The University of Hong Kong and Fudan University IMBA Programme in 2018. I found that the following three aspects helped me to achieve my original goals:
1. Internationalization and Curriculum Design
The greatest feature of this programme is its curriculum, which is a combination of MBA and EMBA content, offers a comprehensive range of business topics, allows students to refresh the knowledge and deepen our understanding in a variety of fields, and develops local and global mindset.
2. Diversity of the Programme
I have always believed in Scott E. Page’s Diversity Dividend. IMBA is the best proof. Compared with other professional MBA programmes, IMBA students come from various industries. I still remember that the in-class debate during the Global Economy course was fierce. Students were enthusiastically to express different opinions. I enjoyed and learnt a lot in such expressive and open-minded learning environment, which led to more discussions and exchanges after class.
3. IMBA Traditions and Student Activities
IMBA develops its own culture and traditions in the students activities. These outside classroom experiences have enriched my learning experience and broaden my network. From IMBA Orientation, “Men in Red” to “Men in Black”, Professional Forums by IMBA Alumni Association, Meng Foundation (charity established by IMBA Community), the series of activities have enriched our lives. In these activities, the classmates who worked for the same goal gradually became best friends of their lives. This is the most precious asset from the Programme.
I have already transformed a lot after joining IMBA, and I believe that I will continue to grow and become better. Even after the completion of IMBA, I will still engage and improve together with the IMBA community.
Kelsey SU
Director,
SharesMaster
It was when I was bored by my daily work and eager to learn something new to broaden my horizon and colorize my social life, then I started the HKU-FDU IMBA in 2016. The main reason I choose IMBA because I was fascinated by the two big and old universities, and the oversea exchange opportunities. The programme didn’t fail me. For countless times, I was amazed by the wisdom and erudition of the professors in class, inspired by the heated brainstorming with classmates from different backgrounds, and pleased by the various school events initialized and hosted by our resourceful alumni.
After graduated from IMBA, I am tremendously different from what I was before the study. Not only my salary package became more competitive, I also changed my stuffy career path to join a start-up which is full of passion and energy. IMBA practices my entrepreneurial skill and the systematically theoretical and practical management skill which helped me better fit in my new chief role, better plan and execute the competitive strategies in my start-up. The exchange semester in Zurich, Switzerland, one of the wealthiest cities in the world, has thoroughly changed how I see my life and work and made me firmly believe that life is full of potential no matter what age you are. The friends I made in the programme now are my besties, not only we shared the moments of our lives, but also we supported each other in many ways.
The journey in IMBA programme is a lifelong benefit. I am lucky to choose HKU-FDU IMBA programme in the early stage of my life. I realized the joy of exploration of my life led by the wise professors and companied by my friendly classmates, and enjoyed the happiness of fulfillment of my potential with a brand-new view and truehearted friends along the way.
Pen SITU
Leader, FP&A,
LIXIL Water Techology Asia Pacific
To tell the truth, prior joining HKU-FDU IMBA Programme, I was quite hesitate and wondering –
in addition to a Master’s Degree, what can I learn from it, and what can I get from it?
But it is really above and beyond what I expected. The orientation, my outstanding classmates (smart and beautiful/handsome), knowledgeable and humorous professors, meticulous and caring arrangement from the Programme Office, everything helps us to fully re-involve and re-engage in our students’ life again.
I have made a lot of new friends who come from all walks of life. We can share everything, including but not limited to happiness, sadness, success, failure, knowledge, information, career and family. The curriculum and professors are awesome. They touched your heart and your brain; allow you to introspect yourself. I still remember two things: 1) Mr. David Lee (course instructor of Business Ethics) shared about the goal and dream of his life and how he is trying to achieve. His dream is big and his passion moves me; 2). Dr. Y.F. Luk (course instructor of Global Economy and Capstone Project), was insisting to review all information after the class at 8:00 p.m.. His persistence has shown us that he is not only imparting knowledge but also educating us with enthusiasm. Other professors also let us know more about the world which we were not aware of before joining the programme.
Just like our IMBA Slogan: “Be Together, Be Better.” I am not the best or smartest in the class, but along with my classmates, our professors and the programme, I have become better in the best group.
Mia XU
Operations Specialist,
Alibaba
HKU-FDU IMBA Programme is my first and only choice for MBA study. After learning IMBA from my friend, I had the idea to sign up. I began to prepare for the GMAT and scored 740 points. Thanks to the affluent scholarships provided by our programme, I was honored the second prize of IMBA Scholarship. I chose the HKU-FDU IMBA Programme for its excellent alumni network, professional teachers and 20-years precipitated history of the programme.
My first year of IMBA life can be summarized as “two learning”:
(1) Learning from teachers. Through the comprehensive curriculum system of IMBA, I learned management courses from the teachers from The University of Hong Kong and Fudan University. They have broadened my horizon, and put theory into practice through case method teaching and work experience sharing.
(2) Learning from excellent my fellow classmates and alumni. There was an ancient English saying that “Your internal mediocrity is the moment when you lost the faith of being excellent”. Connecting with the prominent classmates and alumni has offered me great opportunity to communicate and learn from peers who have ambition, knowledge and perseverance, so as to complement each other and bring out the best in each other. This experience is unparalleled and unmatched.
One of Tagore’s poems has always been a favorite of mine: “Do not linger to gather flowers to keep them, but walk on, for flowers will keep themselves blooming all your way”. I want to send this poem to my edified self after the MBA study and all the alumni.
Looking forward to knowing you in HKU-FDU IMBA Programme.
William XU
Senior Manager (Executive Education),
Fanhai International School of Finance, Fudan University
I always evaluate my experience by two criteria. Firstly, “Am I growing my knowledge base?”. Secondly, “Am I being challenged to stretch myself to next level?” That’s why I chose MBA study: (1) get myself a comprehensive business education (2) accept the challenge that goes with replacing narrow security by broad uncertainty.
HKU-FDU IMBA Programme is the best match for my goals and interests. Students are allowed to enroll in courses offered by other Master’s programme, which have different focus, international exposure and creates synergy. Meanwhile, the integrated curriculum surely become more than the sum of its parts by virtue of the year-long coordination of diverse teaching resources. It provides critical bridge of linking the theoretical and the practical knowledge in the curriculum.
Professors encourage us to take a strategic overview of management, to analyze the complex and inter-related demands on management from the perspectives of the various stakeholders of the business enterprise with the context both of local needs and the global economy. Furthermore, working with talent classmates really make me learn a lot! In-depth and extensive discussions happen in the study group of every class. These exchanges help me to rethink and reflect on myself and my career. Also, you can participate in after-class activities offered by various student clubs, such as Finance Club, Automobile Club, Meng Foundation (charity organization established by IMBA community) and alumni association. Through all the colorful activities, I made a lot of friends and connected in different networks, but more importantly I earn profound business knowledge and skillsets. This is a unique learning experience which really gets my career rocket roaring.
Looking back, I could not feel more assured that at that time, I made the right decision of joining HKU-Fudan IMBA programme, which assist me in attaining my goals in both career and life. Be together, be better!
Daniel ZHU
Sales & Marketing IT PM, APAC
APAC IT
L’Oréal
After graduated from my first degree in Fudan University for almost 16 years, I finally made up my mind to step into the courtyard again. “I cannot wait any longer. I have to step out of my comfort zone and refresh my knowledge. Also, I would like to experience the student life again.” This was how I told myself then.
It didn’t take too much time to decide which programme I wanted to enroll after I listed the criteria:
• Part-time to balance work & study
• Top ranked to maximize the ROI of my investment
• Bilanguage to leverage international visions vs. local market insights
• Courses with wide coverage while also flexible enough for me to choose
IMBA programme instantly popped up in my mind, I managed to complete the whole recruitment procedure from scratch and got my entry ticket within 2 months.
Almost every course is taught by the best professors of HKU & Fudan. I would like to mention the course that impressed me the most is the Accounting course taught by Mr. Lentil. As a graduate majoring in Accounting, I had already taken 4 years of professional courses. However, the lesson prepared by Mr. Lentil triggered countless questions to me. He cut in from the political nature of accounting and told us that accounting is never rational and objective. Accounting is an art. This new point of view refreshed me and resumed my interest in accounting. This situation kept happening throughout the 2-year of IMBA study.
Apart from studying, IMBA programme also provided us many platforms. Workshop in Hong Kong is regarded as a shining point by most of the students, but the elective courses opened another new door to me. Although I didn’t have the time to exchange overseas, I was lucky enough to choose the “IFP” to Japan and the “GNAM Week” to Yale University. The compulsory courses are the foundation while the elective courses are providing everyone a chance to explore the world by ourselves. Shanghai is an international metropolis and needs talents with an international vision. In this way, I was able to meet many excellent students and professors, gave me time to think about the differences between different cultures and how to get along with each other. Walking around the campus of Yale University, I sincerely felt that a good educational experience will definitely motivate students to learn, just what we have experienced in HKU and FDU.
After I finished IMBA programme, I feel like I am totally a new person. I know myself better and ready for new adventure. I feel really appreciated that I chose IMBA programme. The best part of it is to encourage me to explore the world (outside) and also myself (internal).