HKU SPACE is deeply committed to advancing lifelong learning across the globe. To complement the HKSAR Government's initiatives in harnessing the strengths of Hong Kong's internationalised higher education sector and supporting the development of the Greater Bay Area as an international education hub, HKU SPACE established the Academy for Leadership Enhancement and Development (LEAD) in January 2023. Throughout the past year, LEAD has successfully delivered high-quality and innovative programmes to senior executives and corporations in Mainland China and Hong Kong. These programmes include: 

• Hong Kong-based Training: tailor-made programmes to meet the specific needs of enterprises and government departments across Mainland China, including artificial intelligence, financial technology, innovation management, culture and arts. 

• Study Tours: customised annual programmes for universities, providing students with opportunities to broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of professional practices, foster innovative thinking, develop global perspectives, and enhance leadership skills and personal growth. 

• International Study Tours: face-to-face sharing and learning with overseas scholars and experts in collaboration with renowned institutions of higher learning such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Cambridge, enabling participants to build global networks, gain insights from interactions and practical experiences. 

Study tours to Hong Kong to enhance participants' leadership skills 

In April 2023, the Academy organised two thematic seminars focused on Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Titled Seminar on Promoting the Construction of the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao and Seminar on Business Environment and Hong Kong-Shenzhen Cooperation, the two seminars marked the first outbound programme for Shenzhen government officials organised by both sides after the clearance of Shenzhen-Hong Kong border control points. Over 30 senior civil servants from Shenzhen came to Hong Kong to participate in these seminars. The seminars were a significant implementation of the Academy's Greater Bay Area strategy, aimed at enhancing the knowledge of Shenzhen officials in specific areas such as finance, law, and urban management. The seminars also sought to deepen their understanding of the integration of the Greater Bay Area. As part of the seminars, participants had the opportunity to visit the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and Trade Development Council. These visits provided valuable insights into Hong Kong's financial and corporate management structure and development. The success of the seminar has generated a positive response for future study tours from the Shenzhen government to Hong Kong. 

Study tours to the Mainland to learn about the development of the Greater Bay Area 

The Academy has collaborated with the HKSAR Government to co-organise several study tours to the Mainland. In April 2023, two general staff study tours to Shenzhen took place, followed by the co-organised Study Tour to the Greater Bay Area in November 2023. The latter was attended by 36 Executive Officers from various government departments. The objectives were multifaceted. Participants aimed to explore how enterprises in Dongguan and Shenzhen responded to the 14th Five-Year Plan, to observe and learn about human resources policies supporting corporate strategies and operations in these two cities, and to gain insights into the challenges faced by Shenzhen enterprises concerning human resources and effective coping mechanisms. By engaging in discussions with senior management, observing institutional policies of renowned enterprises, and visiting a diverse range of industries, participants were able to gain a comprehensive understanding of how government policies shape the business environment and the strategies implemented by HR departments. Ultimately, these experiences served to broaden their learning horizons. As the HKSAR Government recognised the activities, we have planned the Mainland study tours in 2024. 

Arts and Culture Seminar 

In December 2023, the Seminar on Arts, Culture and Drama Performance attracted over 350 university students from Beijing. The primary objective of the seminar was to explore Hong Kong's advantages in arts, drama, and culture while enhancing professional skills in these areas. Drawing upon the experiences of prominent experts in Hong Kong's cultural and artistic performances such as Ambrose KING Yeo-chi, Clifton KO Chi-sum, and Louis NG Chi-wa, participants gained insights into how the city, renowned for its fusion of Eastern and Western influences, had cultivated a vibrant arts and theatre scene. Students well accepted the activity, and the university will seek our support for similar seminar in 2024. 

Looking ahead, the Academy remains committed to organising seminars on various themes, implementing a Hong Kong-Mainland blended learning model, and offering talent development programmes. These initiatives aim to equip participants with cutting-edge knowledge and enhance their competitiveness in the ever-changing business world.