Nurturing innovative and technology-based entrepreneurs
By : Jacqueline Tang
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between CityU and three venture capital funds and technology companies will supply start-ups under our flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme HK Tech 300 with angel funding. Alumnus Mr Stanley Lau Tze-cheung, one of the founders of Allied Power, signed the MoU as a co-investment partner. He is a postgraduate of the MA in International Accounting programme and a visiting lecturer at CityU. He actively helps his alma mater to promote advancements in innovation and technology.
Equipping students with professional knowledge
As a bridge connecting overseas countries and the mainland, Hong Kong has a keen demand for professionals who are knowledgeable about Eastern and Western cultures. To meet this need, Stanley studied for the MA in International Accounting so that he could upgrade his professional qualifications and enhance his academic knowledge. His ultimate goal is to contribute to the well-being of society.
“This MA programme is highly regarded,” Stanley says. “In addition to equipping students with professional knowledge, it provides them with opportunities for exchanging ideas with overseas academics. It broadened my horizons and laid a solid foundation for me to offer services to people in different countries.”
Fully supporting alma mater initiatives
Stanley has been working on business projects related to his MA since he graduated in 2006. He hopes to contribute to his alma mater and society by helping younger students. “I’m grateful to CityU for appointing me as a visiting lecturer so that I can fulfil these aspirations,” he says.
Mr Stanley Lau Tze-cheung (first row, right), the founder of Allied Power and a CityU alumnus, attended the signing ceremony for the MoU. While teaching, Stanley has noted that students know how to easily adapt to different types of academic and extra-curricular activities. Deeply impressed by this kind of eagerness, he wants to use his knowledge and experience to help them achieve their academic and professional goals and encourage their spirit of self-development for passing on to future generations.
As a stakeholder in society and as a CityU alumnus, Stanley decided to set up a co-investment fund of HK$5 million after he found out about the HK Tech 300 programme at the beginning of this year. He says he wants to invest in young people who have passion and technological knowledge, help them find new business opportunities, and offer consultation services and legal support. In addition, he wishes to let corporate investors on the mainland and overseas know more about the high level of technological expertise and unique features of Hong Kong’s start-up ecosystem.
Keys to success
Stanley says he had to deal with manifold legal and operational matters by himself when starting his business on the mainland as he was a relative newcomer, and in so doing he encountered a huge cultural difference. After studying the mainland’s business culture, he successfully introduced products and services to both domestic and overseas markets.
Facing today’s intense competition and rapidly changing business environments, Stanley has three suggestions for students at CityU. First, focus on professional knowledge and become an expert. Students should seize opportunities to enhance their essential knowledge and professional skills. To boost their competitiveness, they should keep abreast of the latest developments in industry and the markets.
Secondly, they should enhance their language proficiency. It is vital to acquire a high level of language competence in today’s globalised world. Biliteracy (writing English and Chinese) and trilingualism (speaking Cantonese, Putonghua and English) are basic employment requirements in Hong Kong today.
Thirdly, acquire people skills. University is not only for attaining professional knowledge but also for self-development. Students should learn the proper way to treat others and develop their social networks.
“We encounter ups and downs in our studies and career advancement during the journey of life,” Stanley says. “So we need to know when and how to take a step back and prepare ourselves to utilise our strengths when the opportunity comes. As long as we uphold our faith and adhere to our initial objectives, we will become successful.”