HKUST and Microsoft Hong Kong Sign MOU for AI Business School 2.0 Strategic Partnership | The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Microsoft Hong Kong and the School of Business and Management of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST Business School) announced the AI Business School 2.0 Strategic Partnership, an extended partnership of Hong Kong’s first MBA elective featuring an AI curriculum.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming and shaping how organizations do businesses. With the accelerating pace of AI adoption across business disciplines, AI talent in Asia has been persistently in high and robust demand. By introducing the AI-centric elective to HKUST students under the Global AI Business School Initiative back in Spring 2020, more than 130 MBA and MSc students have taken part in the course. These graduates now stand ready for AI future and know better different tech solutions that can improve business decisions, process and productivity.

The enhanced collaboration between HKUST and Microsoft Hong Kong will go beyond AI upskilling and further empower business leaders, organizations and young talent with critical strategies and knowledge on in-demand technologies, such as Big Data and Cloud Computing. The two parties will work closely together on curriculum integrations, professional trainings, as well as academic research and business cases development.

Extended partnership to nurture future-ready business leaders and young talent

In the AI Business School 2.0 partnership, HKUST Business School will continue to strengthen the AI-centric elective course in its MBA program by leveraging the Microsoft’s AI Business School curriculum to provide the latest thinking on AI transformation in business. This business-focused course will also be available for students of HKUST MSc programs with plan to extend to executive education in future.

Looking ahead, Microsoft Hong Kong and HKUST Business School will launch an enhanced AI program on digital upskilling for around 150 students from all fields of study. By leveraging curriculum on Microsoft Learn online platform, the program will empower students to acquire role-based technological skills, knowledge and industry-recognized certifications on AI, Big Data and Cloud Computing, and prepare future-ready business talent for careers with a deep understanding of cutting-edge technologies and their trends.

“Technology plays an important role in our daily life; hence, digital skillset has become as essential as language skills. Our mission is to equip talent with the technological understanding and skills they need to achieve ambitious goals and create a more sustainable future,” said Cally CHAN, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau. “We are excited to continue partnering with HKUST Business School to unleash the full potential of Hong Kong business executives and young talent and empower them to thrive in the age of AI.”

Empowering an AI-ready Business School

“We realize how AI and vital technology can keep us connected and transform organizations to succeed in the ’new normal’,” said Prof. TAM Kar-Yan, Dean of HKUST Business School, “With a shared belief in the power of AI, our extended partnership with Microsoft Hong Kong moves into another new phase of development. It not only attests to our commitment in nurturing talent for tomorrow, but also combining our strengths and resources in developing research projects in the fields of fintech and green finance and also in developing business cases.”

As a major research powerhouse in Asia, HKUST Business School will develop timely insights with proactive industry support from Microsoft Hong Kong and its key partners and customers, including UMP Healthcare, Ricacorp Properties and Centaline, the winning companies from The Hong Kong Management Association x Microsoft Hong Kong Excellence of Digital Transformation Recognition. The three companies have expressed interest to participate in HKUST Business School’s business cases development on digital transformation, which contributes positively towards a sustainable and AI-powered future. Their best practices will be published in international business case research journals, showcasing Hong Kong’s success in business innovation. In addition, Microsoft Hong Kong will support HKUST Business School’s academic research projects by sharing relevant research and survey papers and helping the School to adopt Microsoft’s pioneer data analytics tools and platform.

About HKUST Business School
The HKUST Business School is young, innovative and committed to advancing global business knowledge. The School has forged an international reputation for world class education programs and research performance, and has received many top global rankings. For more details about the School, please visit https://bm.hkust.edu.hk.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.