UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486, Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL, Moscow Exchange: RUALR/RUALRS), a leading global aluminum producer, and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hosted the UC RUSAL President's Forum today, featuring Mr Chuanzhi Liu, Chairman of Legend Holdings Corporation (Legend Holdings) and Founder and Honorary Chairman of Lenovo. This is the first time Mr Liu gave a speech at an educational institution in Hong Kong. The talk was well attended by students, faculty members and guests from HKUST.
At the Forum, hosted by Prof Tony F Chan, President of HKUST, Mr Liu shared his insights on "The Growth of China's Manufacturers - Talking about Legend".
Speaking at the Forum, Mr Chuanzhi Liu highlighted three key elements in effective management after running Lenovo successfully for years: to build a team; to set out strategic plans; and to lead the team forward. In 2013, Lenovo achieved its highest yet worldwide market share and became the world's fastest growing major PC manufacturer after completing the acquisition of IBM's Personal Computing Division. Lenovo ranked No. 329 in Fortune's Global 500, and this was also the 19th quarter in a row that Lenovo outperformed the industry as a whole. Mr Liu also pointed out that risk management is essential when acquiring another company for tackling three types of risk: recognition of the brand; staff wastage; and cultural diversity.
A renowned businessman, Mr Chuanzhi Liu founded Lenovo in 1984, with seed capital of RMB 200,000 from the Computing Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 10 other researchers, and led it forward, to worldwide success. In his role as a leader, he helped Lenovo break with traditional concepts that had restrained Chinese scientists and researchers for a long time, and pioneered a Chinese approach to the commercialization of technology. Lenovo focused on IT development before 2000 and had distributed HP, AST and IBM computers as well as its own brand of PC. Mr Liu completed the spin-off of Lenovo and Digital China from Legend in 2001 and Digital China is now the largest integrated IT services provider in China and the no. 1 company in domestic IT distribution. He pushed the Lenovo acquisition of IBM's PC Division, which made Lenovo a global company and served as a valuable example for other Chinese companies wanting to go international. In November 2011, Mr Liu resigned as Lenovo chairman to focus on the development of Legend Holdings.
Over the past 30 years, Legend Holdings has become a conglomerate, covering IT, investment, consumer & modern services, modern agribusiness, real estate, new chemical materials and other sectors with more than 62,000 employees. It has also nurtured a number of outstanding enterprises, such as Lenovo (HK0992), Digital China (HK0861), Legend Capital and Hony Capital, as well as numerous business leaders and talented executives. The company is committed to being a respected and trusted global holding company, with equity in leading enterprises in multiple industries.
The UC RUSAL President's Forum
The UC RUSAL President's Forum is organized under the auspices of the HKUST Jockey Club 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 the HKUST President. Previous Forum speakers have included UC RUSAL CEO Mr Oleg Deripaska; Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences Prof Christopher Pissarides; then-Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management Dr Jim O'Neill; Chairman of Esquel Group Ms Marjorie Yang; European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) Physicist Prof John Ellis; and Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group and Chairman of Ocean Park Corporation Dr Allan Zeman.
About UC RUSAL
UC RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is a leading, global producer of aluminium, in 2012 accounting for approximately 9% of global production of aluminium and 8% of alumina. UC RUSAL employs 69,000 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 Moscow Exchange (RUALR/RUALRS).
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 excelling in science, technology and business as well as humanities and social science. Internationally renowned for its academic rigor and accomplishments, the University promotes interdisciplinary studies and provides holistic education, nurturing well-rounded graduates with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking and relevant skills to thrive in a knowledge economy. As an international university with strong ties to global thought leaders, HKUST has wide-ranging connections with Mainland China while aspiring to be a global premier knowledge hub and a center for research breakthroughs. HKUST was ranked Asia's number one for the third year in a row in 2013. It was placed first for the world's under-50 universities in 2013-2014. HKUST was ranked No.18 in the high-profile Global Employability University Ranking 2013. In 2013, the Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA (EMBA) program topped the Financial Times EMBA global rankings for the fifth year.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Ella Au Yeung
Tel: 2358 6306
Email: ellaauyeung@ust.hk
