“Welcome to the family” are the words from Professor Chan that echo in my mind from the opening day of the course. At first, I wondered “why family”? Then, through observing how students, professors and alumni listened, respected and helped each other, I came to understand why the word “family” is so meaningful in relation to the CUHK EMBA programme.
Certain qualities and decision processes attracted me to enrol in the CUHK EMBA programme.
First, deciding on the right time to do the EMBA programme. Embarking on a two-year course is a challenge and my advice is there is never a right time to study. You just need to be committed and make time for your learning experience. You’ll be pulled away from your family, personal life and work, but remember, CUHK is an extension of your family, and learning is and should always be part of your personal life. When you apply the conceptual theories in your work environment, you’ll find it well worth the time invested.
Second, experiencing discussions in which Western and Eastern ideas meet. Having been brought up and educated abroad and having worked in multinational banks, I felt the need to understand Hong Kong and China more. Rarely are you placed in an environment where executives and entrepreneurs transform into students who open up and share their thoughts and personal experiences with other “students.” It is at such times that you learn to cherish and be inspired by these “hidden dragons1” in the room.
Third, observing the caring and dedicated attitude of the professors who genuinely have the heart for teaching, and have an underlying desire to nurture business leaders who can influence society.
Overall, I feel that the programme has been a conduit to opening up new areas of thinking. The knowledge I have gained has effectively allowed me to consider areas that I would never previously have thought of when making decisions both at and outside of work.
1 Refers to the Chinese idiom “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” (臥虎藏龍) in which the words “Tiger” and “Dragon” refer to people who possess special hidden talents. This idiom reminds people not to underestimate others.