International Forum, Hong Kong (IFHK)

Venue: Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR

Cambridge University Education Without Borders (CUEWB) will hold International Forum, Hong Kong (IFHK) in collaboration with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and AIESEC on Saturday, 6 November 2010. Following the success of CUEWB’s “Success: Vision & Action” series of international forums in Beijing, Xiamen, and Cambridge, the Hong Kong forum will provide an opportunity for 250 university students in Hong Kong to hear five world-class speakers who will give their view of the education and business life in the 21^st century, and of what it takes for young people to succeed in today’s globalised world.

Read more for additional information.

“It is our pleasure to work with CUEWB on the captioned Forum with the aim to encourage the new generation to embrace innovation, knowledge transfer, and entrepreneurship as the driving force for future economic development.”

- Mr. Andrew Young, Director of Partnership Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

“It has been wonderful to be involved in the three previous and outstanding events – the International Forums run by CUEWB in Beijing, Xiamen and Cambridge. To be invited to participate in Hong Kong in another event inspiring members of the next generation to adopt the vision of ‘A World Without Borders’ is a privilege and an honour.”

- Prof. Alan Barrell DBA, FRSA, Entrepreneur in Residence, Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, University of Cambridge

“Through its programmes in the UK and in China CUEWB has brought together talented young people to learn about business practice in each other’s countries. Just as importantly, it has helped to inculcate in these leaders of tomorrow the understanding and cultural sensitivity that they will need to operate in international business and education.”

- Sir Christopher Hum MA, KCMG, Former British Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China


The theme of the Forum is “Success” and consists of two parts:

1. Vision: Creating a powerful vision is one of the most important aspects of success. In this part, our speakers will give the audience an overview of the current world economy, including its trend and opportunities for the students, from the speakers’ perspective. This part will encourage the students to develop their own vision for their future.
2. Action: A vision is only a dream unless it results in action. This part will encourage the students to think big, take active steps, and become successful.

Through the forum, we are aiming to break down barriers between universities and the business world and promote the educational and cultural exchange between Hong Kong and Cambridge. Supported by all the universities and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong, the forum is endorsed and partially funded by the Government of the Hong Kong SAR and will be in lieu with the Knowledge Transfer Conference, which is one of the major events of the Innovation & Technology Month to be organised by the Government of the Hong Kong SAR.
 

1. Prof. Alan Barrell DBA, FRSA (UK)
Prof. Barrell has spent 30 years in senior executive positions in technology-based companies, including chief executive roles at Baxter Healthcare, Domino Printing Sciences, and Willett International. Latterly he has spent time at various board positions in early-stage companies including chairmanship of the Cambridge Gateway Fund and a founder shareholder of Library House Ltd. He is Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Cambridge Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning. His work in these areas recently led him to becoming one of the first recipients of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion. Most recently, he has been appointed as International Advisor to Youth Business China (YBC).

2. Mr. Tit-Shing Wong (HK)
Mr. T. S. Wong has served in the toy industry for more than 40 years and is the Managing Director of Jetta Company Ltd, one of the largest and most renowned toy manufacturers in the world. He was Chairman of Asian Committee of Toy Industries from 1999 and 2006 and is the first Asian to take up the role of President of International Council of Toy Industries from 2003 to 2006. He has also been Honorary President of Hong Kong Toys Council since 2001 and Honorary Chairman of China Toy Association since 1998. He won The Outstanding Achievement Award of Hong Kong Toy Industries in 2001 by Hong Kong Toys Manufacturer’s Association and was a recipient of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s “Outstanding Alumni Award” in 2009. Mr. Wong is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, UK.

3. Mr. Bodhi Garrett (TH, US)
Born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Bodhi Garrett moved to California when he was seven years old, and went on to graduate with honours from UC Berkeley’s Environmental Science programme. Bodhi then worked as a lobbyist and coalition organiser for the national parks support group NPCA. He moved to southern Thailand in 2003 to direct marketing efforts for an ecotourism resort and a sea turtle conservation project. Bodhi founded North Andaman Tsunami Relief after the December 2004 wave claimed his job, home, and the surrounding communities. With a total budget of over $3.7 million, the grassroots disaster relief effort grew to encompass over 150 projects in 12 villages. Since 2007, Bodhi has guided the formation of a number of successor organisations including a handicrafts cooperative, Andaman Discoveries, youth conservation projects, and a Community Tourism Network. Concurrently, Bodhi has been working with Future 500 as a consultant for the 21st Century Bioplastics initiative, which seeks to streamline the introduction of bioplastics into the marketplace. Recent accolades include UNDP’s SEED Award, Travel+Leisure’s Global Vision Award, the BBC World Challenge, and the EU’s Youth in Action grant.

4. Ms. Candace Johnson (EU)
Candace Johnson is a global infrastructure, network, and innovation expert, serial entrepreneur, and investor. She is co-initiator of SES/ASTRA and SES Global, the world’s pre-eminent satellite group. She is also founding President of Europe Online Investments S.A., the world’s first internet-based online service and satellite broadband network, and founder of Loral Skynet-Teleport Europe, Europe’s first independent private trans-border satellite communications network. Ms. Johnson is also founding President of the VATM, the Association of Private Telecom Operators in Germany and founding President of the Global Telecom Women’s Network (GTWN). She has continued to be a long-time Member of the Board of Directors of all of these companies and organisations at various times throughout the years.

5. Dr. Rob Valli (US)
Dr. Valli is currently Clinical Professor for New Venture Formation and Innovation and Acting Head of Strategic Alliances, Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His professional background and experience dovetails business, higher education, leadership, and service. After two decades of successful investment banking, technology venturing, and entrepreneurial leadership, he returned to the academia and attained his PhD at the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge while serving as the Director for Advancing Innovation for The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Dr. Valli is President of the Investment Board of Parigi Equity Partners. He has served on the Alumni Board of Directors for The Stanford Graduate School of Business; the CAL, Berkeley, Executive Committee for the HAAS Arena; the Board of Advisors for the Office of Strategic Business Initiatives at the University of Illinois; the Board of Directors for the MIT/Stanford Venture Lab; the Board of Advisors to Taiwan Venture Partners, D & B Venture and Satwik Ventures; as well as, holding a Board seat at AIESEC-US, the largest non-profit international student-run organisation in the world.
 

The core audience of the forum will consist of 250 student representatives from the eight institutions in Hong Kong who are mostly postgraduates or penultimate/final year undergraduates with:

1. Work/research experience,
2. Leadership in student societies, and
3. Recognised professional qualifications.

The audience will also comprise a number of journalists and invited guests.

This forum is open to all university students in Hong Kong. If you wish to attend, please register by Wednesday, 20 October 2010. Registration is quick, easy, and free.

Update: Registration is closed. E-tickets have been sent out.
 

 
This forum is kindly sponsored by U-Link Education, which operates a number of Cambridge International Centres in China, and CJR Education Limited, a college guidance service centre based in Hong Kong.

For all enquiries regarding International Forum, Hong Kong, please contact us.