PolyU Business School commemorated the 30th anniversary of its DBA programme with a grand celebratory dinner on 14 May 2026. This milestone gathered over 400 alumni, faculty members, industry partners, and current students to honour three decades of academic distinction and influential leadership. We were privileged to welcome The Honourable Paul CHAN Mo-po, GBM, GBS, MH, JP, Financial Secretary of the Government of the HKSAR, as the guest of honour and keynote speaker, alongside warm congratulatory remarks from the President of PolyU and the Dean of PolyU Business School, as well as a thought-provoking panel featuring three visionary industry leaders.
The Honourable Paul CHAN Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Government of the HKSAR, offered his heartfelt congratulations to all who have contributed to building a community of scholar-leaders over the past three decades. In his keynote speech, Mr Chan discussed how AI is streamlining value chains and reshaping Hong Kong’s position as a global intermediary, calling for a transition from routine tasks toward human-centric capabilities such as ethical judgment and creative problem-solving. He also advocated for stronger collaboration among government, academia, and industry to advance AI literacy and ensure that the benefits of increased productivity are widely distributed across society.
Prof. Jin-Guang TENG, PolyU President, delineated the University’s mission to equip students for a rapidly evolving world by integrating academic excellence with a deep sense of social responsibility, as reflected in its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind.” He noted PolyU’s rising global standing and its commitment to “Education 4.0,” which leverages AI to foster student-centred learning experiences. Prof. Teng’s remarks not only celebrated the DBA programme’s 30-year legacy but also looked ahead to PolyU’s upcoming 90th anniversary, reaffirming a dedication to nurturing leaders who possess both national pride and a global perspective.
Ir Prof. Edwin CHENG, Dean of PolyU Business School, recounted the DBA journey of shaping executives into scholar-leaders who bridge the gap between academic research and practical leadership. He spoke about the expansion of the School’s portfolio of professional doctorates and showcased the societal and industrial contributions of our distinguished alumni. He also drew attention to recent award-winning DBA theses, which reflect both academic rigour and a deep engagement with emerging trends that are reshaping industries. Supported by outstanding international rankings, including being placed first worldwide in Management by ShanghaiRanking, Prof. Cheng reaffirmed the School’s commitment to innovation and excellence. He concluded by thanking the faculty and community for three decades of success and looking forward to navigating future global challenges with continued insight and impact.
A key feature of the anniversary dinner was the panel discussion featuring three preeminent AI pioneers: Dr Xiaodong HE of JD.com, Dr Feng XIAO of HashKey Group, and Mr Evan YAO of ENGINEAI Robotics Technology. Facilitated by PolyU Business School’s Associate Dean, Prof. Jimmy JIN, the discussion explored how AI and Web3 are turning ideas into business and societal impact, spanning areas such as AI applications, digital asset infrastructure, and robotics development.
The evening concluded on a warm and celebratory note, with tokens of appreciation presented to our Diamond and Gold Sponsors in recognition of their generous support. Beyond the fine dining and festivities, the night served as a mirthful reconnection for the PolyU DBA community—a time to bridge past achievements with future aspirations.
