HKUST Appoints Chairman of China Vanke Co Ltd Mr Wang Shi as Adjunct Professor in the Business School

Abstract

[evdate 2010-06-21] The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology

07/07/2010 HKUST Appoints Chairman of China Vanke Co Ltd Mr Wang Shi as Adjunct Professor in the Business School

HKUST President Tony F Chan (left) presents appointment letter to Prof Wang Shi

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) announces the appointment of Mr WANG Shi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, China Vanke Co Ltd, as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and Management with effect from 21 June 2010, to teach in the HKUST EMBA for Chinese Executives program. Prof Wang is the founder of the Vanke Group, and currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of China Vanke Co Ltd. He is often known as the 'Godfather' of China's real estate industry. China Vanke was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1991, and became the first real estate company in China to complete shareholding reorganization and initial public offering. For two consecutive years, the company became the world's largest residential property developer. Prof Wang keeps a close eye on the development of the real estate market on the Mainland and assumes numerous posts in the industry associations. These include Standing Director of China Real Estate Association, Deputy Director of China Real Estate Association Urban Residence Development Committee, Vice-Chairman of Shenzhen Real Estate Association, and Vice-Chairman of Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce. Prof Wang has won countless accolades. In 2006, he was rated among '25 Most Influential Business Leaders in China' by Fortune (Chinese Edition). In 2008, he was honored as one of '30 Outstanding Figures in 30 Years of Reform and Opening in China' and '30 Economic Icons in 30 Years'. Last year, he was voted as a '10-Year Business Leader' in CCTV's 'Economic Icons 2009'. Not only is Prof Wang a business veteran in the Mainland market, he is also a man who is always ready to take on challenges in life. He scaled to the summit of Mount Everest in 2003 and earlier this year. In the last few years, he also conquered the highest summits on all the seven continents and became one of the few persons who also reached the Arctic and the Antarctic.

Prof Wang shares with the audience his insights from his adventures

On 28 June 2010, Prof Wang shared the experience and insights of his success with HKUST's EMBA students and alumni at the HKUST EMBA Seminar Series. Addressing the audience on 'Realizing the Power of Dreams', he talked about his insights and inspirations gathered in the process of conquering the summits of the seven continents, including Mount Everest, as well as the Arctic and the Antarctic. The talk was very well received by the enthusiastic audience. A lot of questions were asked and there was a very good interaction between Prof Wang and the students and alumni. Prof Wang pointed out that while entrepreneurs should embody the spirit of adventure and perseverance, they should also shoulder social responsibility. He noted that the Mount Everest and other extreme sports experiences sharpened his awareness of the threat of global warming and the need to reduce waste. In May this year, when he conquered Mount Everest again, he organized a team to remove the rubbish along the way, spreading the message of caring for the environment. Prof Leonard CHENG, Dean of Business and Management at HKUST, expressed great honor and appreciation to Prof Wang for consenting to teach in the HKUST EMBA for Chinese Executives program. Prof Wang will design a special course tailored for the EMBA students. The HKUST EMBA for Chinese Executives program (www.bm.ust.hk/ustemba) is the University's only degree program taught in both English and Chinese. It is designed especially for Chinese-speaking senior executives in Greater China and overseas. The students comprise business leaders from different industries, and from Hong Kong as well as from different cities in Mainland China and Taiwan. The program is designed in such a way that these senior executives can study 'on-the-job', with one module per month - normally completed in four consecutive days from Thursday to Sunday. In additional to the 140 full-time and adjunct professors from the Business School, scholars from world-renowned universities and business leaders from around the world, in particular, distinguished leaders from industry and government in China are invited to teach and speak to this unique bilingual EMBA class. Dean Cheng said, 'Prof Wong is a distinguished business leader. At the same time, he has a great passion for life. His contribution to the HKUST Business School will be a big boost for the University's development.' All News More News at Media Information Center

For media enquiries, please feel free to contact : Ross Lai Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928 Email: rosslai@ust.hk Donna Wong Tel: 2358 6317 Email: donnaw@ust.hk

HKUST EMBA Program enquiries: Catherine Lo Tel: 2358-8048 Email: catherinelo@ust.hk