CityUHK x Cambridge LCC: fusing Eastern and Western wisdom to generate innovative ideas
What pressing issues capture the attention of the next generation of global leaders and what innovative solutions are they eager to champion? The answers can be found in the Future Global Leaders Programme, jointly organised by City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Lucy Cavendish College (LCC), a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.
The eight-day exchange programme concluded on a high note with an exhilarating venture capital pitch competition. This finale tested the students' ability to astutely analyse global challenges and challenged them to propose solutions that were both creative and commercially viable. This intellectual exchange, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries, delivered forward-looking insights into some of the most pressing issues of our time.
The seamless collaboration and myriad innovative ideas showcased during the competition stemmed largely from the enriching field trips and industry dialogues held throughout the exchange. The action-packed itinerary took students across Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, with in-depth visits to historical monuments in Central and Sheung Wan, as well as the Kowloon Walled City Park. These precious historical sites offered a glimpse into Hong Kong's profound cultural heritage, where East meets West and the old coexists with the new. Furthermore, the programme specifically arranged for students to engage in meaningful discussions with senior corporate executives. Through direct interactions with business leaders, students were able to integrate academic theory with real-world business environments, gaining valuable practical perspectives and inspiration to tackle global challenges.
In the final phase of the programme, students were divided into four teams to act as start-ups. They pitched to a judging panel in a format akin to seeking angel investment, addressing intricate global issues such as supply chain management, online polarisation, mental health and ecological conservation. During the preparation process, the students leveraged their respective expertise and diverse backgrounds, ingeniously utilising innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence to propose forward-looking solutions to these global challenges. After intense exchanges and fierce competition, the team exploring "biodiversity conservation in cities" ultimately stood out to claim the top honour.
Jacqueline Guico, a member of the winning team, completed her undergraduate studies at CityUHK and went to the University of Cambridge for further studies last year through the Future Global Leaders Programme scholarship. She has now completed her coursework and is about to graduate. She shared that although the team members were not environmental conservation majors, they took the initiative to consult experts in the field to conceptualise the blueprint for their entire project. Jacqueline pointed out that the Future Global Leaders Programme constantly challenged her to think outside the box and that fundamental to the programme was the opportunity to engage with different people and their fresh perspectives. She strongly encouraged CityUHK students to seize the opportunity and actively participate in this highly inspiring programme.
In addition to enhancing their professional knowledge and problem-solving skills, peer-to-peer learning was a major takeaway from the experience. George Guo Zhao-jin, PhD student in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, noted that the exchange allowed him to observe up close the strengths and broad international perspectives of students from both institutions. George firmly believes that these invaluable cross-cultural exchange experiences will greatly benefit his future collaborations with people from diverse backgrounds.
Another CityUHK participant, Alex Cheng Chit-yuen, a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science, travelled to Cambridge for the Future Global Leaders Programme in September of last year. He shared that his most profound impression at the time was observing how people from all over the world responded to various global challenges. During this year’s programme, however, his most unforgettable experience was listening to insights shared by experts from various fields. Alex believes that the practical experiences imparted by these experts are immensely valuable, enabling him to truly understand how to translate concepts step by step into impactful, tangible actions.
CityUHK is the first international partner for the Future Global Leaders Programme at LCC, University of Cambridge. Following the exchange of CityUHK postgraduate students to the UK last year, ten Cambridge Master's students visited CityUHK in mid-July this year for an eight-day on-campus exchange. This collaboration nurtures talent with a global perspective and provides a unique platform for the convergence of wisdom from East and West.
For more details about the scholarship programme offered by CityUHK and LCC, University of Cambridge, please visit the webpage.