The Research Centre for ESG Advancement (RCESGA) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successfully hosted the inaugural RCESGA ESG Leadership Talk on Friday, 11 September 2026, at M1603, Li Ka Shing Tower.
Established on 1 January 2026, RCESGA marked the Talk as its first public flagship event since inception, and the official launch of the ESG Leadership Talk Series — an interdisciplinary platform engaging faculty and students across the University.
The event was organised by RCESGA and School of Accounting and Finance (AF), with support from the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Faculty of Business (FB).
The Talk featured Dr SHEN Peng, Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer of Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH), as the keynote speaker. An Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2024 recipient, Dr Shen has long been committed to advancing inclusive insurance and healthcare services through technology.
Dr Tai-fai LAM, Chairman of the Council, President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG and Deputy President and Provost Prof. Wing-tak WONG were among the senior PolyU leaders in attendance. Prof. Wong delivered the welcoming remarks on behalf of the University. He said that, at PolyU, an innovative world-class university with a strong commitment to social responsibility, higher education plays a vital role in preparing future leaders to address pressing global challenges—from sustainable development and social equity to ethical governance. He added that ESG is no longer a corporate consideration alone; it is central to how the University educates, conducts research, and serves society. He expressed his support and encouragement for RCESGA and the Talk series.
In his address, “Technology Empowers Inclusive Protection: A Review of Waterdrop’s Decade-long Exploration as a Social Enterprise,” Dr Shen shared his entrepreneurial journey, the opportunities brought by the age of artificial intelligence (AI), and Waterdrop’s experience in advancing inclusive protection and fulfilling social responsibility. He reflected that Waterdrop was founded out of a concern for real social needs and the practical challenges facing people’s daily lives, with the aim of enabling more families to access affordable protection through innovative technology. He emphasised that true inclusiveness lies not only in providing services, but also in recognising the different circumstances and needs of different families, and offering more targeted support accordingly. Dr Shen also observed that AI can help improve operational efficiency and reduce information loss in communication, yet in understanding social realities, building trust, and demonstrating empathy, human interaction remains an irreplaceable core value in real-world service delivery.
During the Q&A session, faculty and students actively raised questions on the future development of ESG, the application of AI, corporate social responsibility, and youth entrepreneurship, and engaged in an in-depth exchange with Dr Shen. The discussion was lively and warmly received.
The ESG Leadership Talk Series offered PolyU faculty and students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders. Building on the success of the inaugural session, RCESGA will continue to organise future talks featuring leading practitioners and thought leaders from diverse sectors. PolyU faculty members and students are encouraged to stay tuned for upcoming events.
Established on 1 January 2026, RCESGA marked the Talk as its first public flagship event since inception, and the official launch of the ESG Leadership Talk Series — an interdisciplinary platform engaging faculty and students across the University.
The event was organised by RCESGA and School of Accounting and Finance (AF), with support from the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) and Faculty of Business (FB).
The Talk featured Dr SHEN Peng, Founder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Chief Executive Officer of Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH), as the keynote speaker. An Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2024 recipient, Dr Shen has long been committed to advancing inclusive insurance and healthcare services through technology.
Dr Tai-fai LAM, Chairman of the Council, President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG and Deputy President and Provost Prof. Wing-tak WONG were among the senior PolyU leaders in attendance. Prof. Wong delivered the welcoming remarks on behalf of the University. He said that, at PolyU, an innovative world-class university with a strong commitment to social responsibility, higher education plays a vital role in preparing future leaders to address pressing global challenges—from sustainable development and social equity to ethical governance. He added that ESG is no longer a corporate consideration alone; it is central to how the University educates, conducts research, and serves society. He expressed his support and encouragement for RCESGA and the Talk series.
In his address, “Technology Empowers Inclusive Protection: A Review of Waterdrop’s Decade-long Exploration as a Social Enterprise,” Dr Shen shared his entrepreneurial journey, the opportunities brought by the age of artificial intelligence (AI), and Waterdrop’s experience in advancing inclusive protection and fulfilling social responsibility. He reflected that Waterdrop was founded out of a concern for real social needs and the practical challenges facing people’s daily lives, with the aim of enabling more families to access affordable protection through innovative technology. He emphasised that true inclusiveness lies not only in providing services, but also in recognising the different circumstances and needs of different families, and offering more targeted support accordingly. Dr Shen also observed that AI can help improve operational efficiency and reduce information loss in communication, yet in understanding social realities, building trust, and demonstrating empathy, human interaction remains an irreplaceable core value in real-world service delivery.
During the Q&A session, faculty and students actively raised questions on the future development of ESG, the application of AI, corporate social responsibility, and youth entrepreneurship, and engaged in an in-depth exchange with Dr Shen. The discussion was lively and warmly received.
The ESG Leadership Talk Series offered PolyU faculty and students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with industry leaders. Building on the success of the inaugural session, RCESGA will continue to organise future talks featuring leading practitioners and thought leaders from diverse sectors. PolyU faculty members and students are encouraged to stay tuned for upcoming events.
