The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486, Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL, MICEX and RTS: RUALR), the world’s largest aluminum producer, hosted the UC RUSAL President’s Forum today on ‘Making a Difference, a Stitch at a Time’ featuring Ms Marjorie Yang, Chairman of Esquel Group and one of Fortune’s Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. Ms Yang shared insights regarding how a traditional industry could become a catalyst for societal change.
Despite many civilizations having evolved from patriarchal philosophies, the role of modern women has significantly changed in recent decades. Successful women have brought fundamental changes to the world, whether in the political or global economic spheres or other international fronts. Thus, women have now become a major force in shaping today’s society. UC RUSAL and HKUST have invited Ms Marjorie Yang to share her story of success.
Elaborating with her experience in the textile and apparel industry as well as her personal growth story, Ms Yang shared her passion, vision and journey with much inspiration on achieving excellence through innovative ideas. Ms Yang also elaborated how boosting productivity could lead to sustainable development and how breeding talents could contribute to the development of the industry and the society at large.
Ms Marjorie Yang inspired the audience with her philosophy and said, “Young people nowadays are facing tremendous challenges from globalization. It is our duty to encourage and educate our next generation to step out from their comfort zone and not to be afraid of failures but to confront all those challenges with courage. Above all, growth stems from learning through failures.”
HKUST President Tony F Chan said that HKUST’s mission is to foster education and research in science, technology and business management to assist in economic and social development. Dedicated to encouraging partnerships between research institutes, industries and enterprises, the University is most grateful to its partner UC RUSAL for fostering exchange of ideas and sharing of insights via UC RUSAL President’s Forum.
Ms Yang is Chairman of Esquel Group, a leading textile and apparel manufacturer with operations throughout the world, annually producing 100 million cotton shirts for internationally well-acclaimed brands. She was recently listed on Forbes Asia’s 50 Power Business Women and was named on Fortune as among the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Business in 2009, 2005, 2004 and 2000. With a Bachelor of Science degree from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School, she received an Honorary Fellowship from HKUST in 2006, and was appointed Honorary Member of HKUST’s Court, and is also an advisor to the Hang Lung Center for Organizational Research at HKUST. In 2010, she was appointed Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
The UC RUSAL President’s Forum
The UC RUSAL President’s Forum is organized under the auspices of the HKUST Institute for Advanced Study and is held biannually in Hong Kong. Prestigious scholars and scientists as well as successful business leaders and entrepreneurs are invited to share with the audience their views on varied topics including the latest trends in science and technology and its relationship with and impact on humankind, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity. Speakers also engage in a dialogue with HKUST President. Previous Forum speakers include UC RUSAL CEO Mr Oleg Deripaska, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences Prof Christopher Pissarides, and Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management Dr Jim O’Neill.
About RUSAL
UC RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is the world’s largest producer of aluminium, in 2011 accounting for approximately 9% and 9% of global production of aluminium and alumina, respectively. UC RUSAL employs about 74,000 people in 19 countries, across 5 continents. UC RUSAL markets and sells its products primarily in the European, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, South East Asian and North American markets. UC RUSAL’s ordinary shares are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock code: 486). Global depositary shares representing UC RUSAL’s ordinary shares are listed on the professional compartment of Euronext Paris (RUSAL for Reg S GDSs and RUAL for Rule 144A GDSs), and Russian depositary receipts that are issued on common shares of the Company are listed on MICEX-RTS (RUALR) stock exchange.
About the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (www.ust.hk) is a top-ranked international research university. The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asian University Rankings 2011 has rated HKUST the top university in Asia. Established in 1991, the University excels in science, technology, and business, complemented by humanities and social science. As an international university with strong ties to global thought leaders, HKUST has also wide-ranging connections with Mainland China. The University promotes interdisciplinary studies and nurtures well-rounded graduates with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking and relevant skills to thrive in a knowledge economy. HKUST is dedicated to becoming a global premier knowledge hub and a center of research breakthroughs.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Kit Yip
Tel: 2358 6313
Email: kityip@ust.hk
