Quality drives accreditation
By : Michael Gibb
The learning experience and quality of research at the College of Business (CB) received a huge boost when it recently secured accreditation once again from the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS).
EQUIS is one of the world’s top international business school accreditation systems, and this latest conferment of quality stands for a further five years.
Professor Kim Jeong-bon “This honour reaffirms CB’s stature as a world-leading business school,” says Professor Kim Jeong-bon, Dean of CB.
It was back in 2007 when CB first gained EQUIS accreditation. It has since consistently met the excellence required to maintain the 5-year accreditation that EQUIS bestows, in 2013, 2018 and 2023.
“It is well known that EQUIS accreditation demonstrates a high standard of quality in all dimensions of their activities, along with a high degree of internationalisation and professional relevance,” adds Professor Kim.
In the latest accreditation process, several aspects of CB’s operations were commended.
“Our strategic plan, international partnerships, research performance, student quality and programme management were all highlighted,” Professor Kim says.
It is certainly true also that the achievements of CB students and faculty continue to reflect the quality of CB’s teaching and research activities:
- Rachel Lau Pui-ying, studying in the BBA Management programme, won the Pitch Perfect Programme 2023 held by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in May (see box)
- A team of four CB students produced an outstanding performance to win the HSBC/HKU Hong Kong Business Case Competition 2023 in April against eight other local university teams
- Professor Kim has been ranked 1st worldwide for the last six years and 2nd for the last 12 years for his accounting research according to data compiled by Brigham Young University, US
- Professor Zhao Shan in the Department of Economics and Finance is now a Research Member of the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI), an international scientific non-profit association focusing on major corporate governance issues.
- Professor Lam Chak-fu in the Department of Management has been selected as one of Poets&Quants 40-under-40 MBA professors for 2023 for his meaningful impact in his field. Nominations are made entirely by students, faculty, alumni, and administrators.
So what drives CB’s continued success?
“Our people are our most important asset,” says Professor Kim. “We have a strong faculty who have culturally diverse backgrounds and we have a dedicated management team and committed programme directors. And we have great students!”
Professor Kim adds that the entire College is dedicated to programme quality and innovation, leveraging new technology and promoting interdisciplinarity.
“We are devoted to enhancing the student experience beyond classroom boundaries,” he says.
Tell us about the Pitch Perfect Programme
The programme ran for three months over four stages, with more than 80 students from 10 local universities taking part in training courses, company visits, internships and mentorships. The activities culminated in the semi-final and final rounds in which students underwent hypothetical job interviews with representatives from the sponsor companies and the Chamber leadership.
What were the highlights?
Competing in the final with students from other universities like HKU and HKUST. It was a mentally demanding yet valuable experience to compete on stage in front of the media and the judges. I had the rare experience to communicate with Mr George Leung Siu-kay, former CEO of HKGCC, and Mr Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, LegCo member and Managing Director of Forward Winsome Industries Limited, as an HKGCC Student Ambassador 2023/24. In addition, as Grand Champion, I got the opportunity to job shadow a successful business leader for one day. I was thrilled to learn that Dr Allan Zeman will be my job shadowing business leader and am much looking forward to this wonderful opportunity for learning from such a charismatic leader!
What did you learn the most?
Expressing my true thoughts in front of seniors. I was really surprised to win this year and so I asked Mr Leung and Mr Lam why I was selected as champion. They told me that it was my willingness to express my true thoughts about the programme and critically think about the main points and viable solutions for solving the issues.
How did CB help you during the Pitch Perfect Programme?
Rachel Lau Pui-ying The Department of Management hosts activities on students’ people skills and I’ve been helping as a Student Ambassador for the Department of Management on JUPAS Information Day and at JUPAS interview sessions after final exams this semester. By sharing with potential CityU Management students, I’ve had many opportunities to practice how to pitch and make adjustments after observing and communicating with my peers.
In addition, I’m the External Vice-President of the Business Proposal and Competition Club at CityU. CB has provided resources and a budget for us to get case competition-related training and competition opportunities. Being part of the organising committee of the CityU Case Competition 2023, I have had the hands-on opportunity to communicate and interact with the management level of our sponsor, Ping An OneConnect Bank.
What do you think are CB’s strengths as a business school?
There are many opportunities and societies for exploring interests in different fields. I’ve had the opportunity to communicate with our trainer, Stargazers Consulting, and our sponsor company, Ping An OneConnect Bank, for further insights into the fintech industry. Moreover, CB has deep connections with industry for arranging talks and luncheons where CityU students can connect with industry leaders and successful business people.
And it is easy for CityU business students to get connected with the industry of their interest through the diverse alumni network.
Did you have a supervisor in CB?
I would like to thank Professor Muammer Ozer in the Department of Management for teaching me and for offering opportunities to apply innovation. His insights have helped me to ace this programme.