As rapid advancements in AI and the rise of “slashie” culture reshape social and economic foundations, the traditional career path is being replaced by a complex web of possibilities. Confronted with an overwhelming array of choices and a high-pressure environment, many young people find themselves at a crossroads—struggling with a sense of aimlessness and the challenge of finding balance. Assisting the next generation in defining clear goals and long-term visions is now a critical social and educational mission. To meet this need, CityUHK Press is committed to promoting knowledge transfer, distilling the practical wisdom of industry veterans into actionable insights. By bridging the gap between professional expertise and the community, we provide the concrete guidance young people need to navigate their futures with confidence.

CityUHK Press Advances the “CityUHK Mastermind” Spirit: Award-Winning Work Offers Practical Wisdom

Anchored by the award-winning title, Sunny Chai: Managing Balance—which was honored with the Business and Management Award at the 2025 Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards—CityUHK Press hosted an insightful dialogue at the 2026 Hong Kong Reading+ carnival. Held on 19 April at New Town Plaza, Sha Tin, the event was themed “CityUHK Mastermind Series—Developing Your Strengths and Overcoming Challenges: Finding Balance in Future Life.” The session featured Dr. Sunny Chai, SBS, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, alongside veteran media practitioner Ms. Akina Fong as the guest moderator. The event drew a significant crowd, particularly young people, reflecting a keen interest in this timely topic.

Sunny Chai: Managing Balance meticulously documents Dr. Chai’s personal growth and management experience and was honoured with a publishing award at the Hong Kong Publishing Biennial Awards 2025. Its outstanding professional value and practice-oriented approach have earned high recognition from both industry and academia.

Transcend Starting Points: Stay Curious and Cultivate a New Mindset

During the dialogue, Dr. Chai shared his own life journey to encourage the younger generation not to be overly concerned by differences in their starting points. He frankly admitted that his academic performance at school was not on par with his siblings, yet he stressed that academic results are by no means the sole yardstick for defining a person’s future achievements.

Dr. Chai pointed out that young people should not be confined to a single discipline or a preset framework; they should remain curious about the world beyond academia and gradually discover their true interests and a sense of direction through continuous experimentation and exploration. “Do not be stubbornly attached to your own views,” he said. “Instead, draw inspiration from others’ perspectives, and then formulate your own new way of thinking.” Dr. Chai offered both direction and insight for young people: in an environment full of uncertainty, only by maintaining an open attitude and absorbing knowledge and experience from different angles can one gradually build a unique competitive edge.

Leaving the Anchor's Limelight: Boldly Stepping Out of her Comfort Zone to Forge a Slash Career

Guest moderator Ms. Akina Fong also instilled courage and confidence in young people regarding professional transformation. Drawing on her own experience of transitioning from a professional news anchor to a multifaceted slashie, she illustrated that career paths are never one-dimensional but full of flexibility and possibilities.

Ms. Fong urged young people not to let momentary achievements limit them, nor to be shackled by past glory. She encouraged everyone to step boldly beyond their comfort zone and proactively explore different fields. In today’s social environment that increasingly values diversity and individuality, daring to try and actively embracing transformation are key to unlocking one’s potential and opening up endless possibilities.

Management Wisdom: A Solid Foundation to Face the AI Era

When discussing how to cope with the multiple pressures of life and career, Dr. Chai, who holds a wide array of public offices and business roles, introduced his core philosophy of “managing balance”. He pointed out that balance does not mean striving rigidly for an equal distribution of time; rather, it involves strategically setting priorities based on importance and impact.

Dr. Chai stressed that a manager must possess the ability to judge and make trade-offs, prioritising the most critical issues and coordinating across different domains to ensure that core objectives are effectively achieved. This decision-making framework offers a concrete, practical mindset for a younger generation frequently required to multitask.

Furthermore, with the disruptions and transformations that the rapid development of AI technologies is bringing to all industries, Dr. Chai also reminded students to pay attention to building foundational knowledge. He believes that a solid footing is the key to tackling challenges posed by new technologies such as machine learning; only when the foundation is firm can one adjust to a fast-changing environment and make sound, deliberate choices for long-term growth.

Delivering the Power of Knowledge: Professional Sharing Illuminates the Community

CityUHK Press is actively involved in the community. This event also welcomed members of the “Strive and Rise Alumni Club”, which supports graduates of the “Strive and Rise Programme” for underprivileged secondary school students, providing a platform for young people to interact and share ideas, inspiring them to plan their future career paths, and nurturing the next generation. This embodies how the “CityUHK Mastermind” spirit extends from professional expertise to social welfare organisations for intergenerational knowledge sharing. Dr. Chai presented copies of his book to participating students, encouraging them to explore different directions in their studies, careers, and ideals.

  

♦ Image Caption: CityUHK Press facilitated a meaningful community exchange by bringing Dr. Sunny Chai’s insights to life for local youth. To commemorate this collaboration, Dr. Chai and Mr. Edmund Chan, Director of CityUHK Press, presented a certificate of appreciation to Ms. Pang Shuk-man of the TWGHs Jockey Club Lei Tung Integrated Services Centre. This recognized her efforts in organizing the participation of nearly 70 members of the Strive and Rise Alumni Club, demonstrating a successful integration of corporate wisdom and social service. 

To learn more about Dr. Chai’s management wisdom and life philosophy, as well as the latest information on CityUHK Press’s academic and professional titles, please visit the City University of Hong Kong Press official website (www.cityu.edu.hk/upress) or shop at major physical and online bookstores throughout Hong Kong. Words are the vessels of wisdom. Join hands with CityUHK Press to transform reading into power and open up future pathways and endless possibilities.

 

Acknowledgements
This event was one of the main stage activities of the 2026 Hong Kong Reading+ carnival, organised by the Hong Kong Publishing Federation and mainly sponsored by the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.