Plan to pay it forward can inspire young generation

It takes a whole range of skills in finance, strategy, communications and marketing to raise funds for a start-up, business expansion or corporate takeover. And the team "UST MBA Elite" representing HKUST in this year’s MBA Challenge for Operation Santa Claus (OSC) is quickly finding out that those same skills are also just what’s need to raise funds for one of Hong Kong’s longest running and most successful annual charity campaigns.  

“As soon as we heard about the Challenge, we could see it was an excellent idea,” says team leader Data Fok. “It is a great opportunity to apply our theoretical knowledge from the MBA programme and our collective work experience to help some less fortunate members of the local community in very practical ways.”

Team member Flora Sze (left) and team leader Data Fok of the "UST MBA Elite" team.

The goal for the team – and their rivals – is to put their business brains and entrepreneurial instincts to good use to collect as much as they can over the next few weeks. Where necessary, the event organisers are there to offer help with admin matters or give the odd word of advice, but essentially it is up to each team to put their plan together and then get out there and get the job done.

In the case of HKUST, the basic scheme is to arrange a “little MBA” workshop for primary school students to introduce them to concepts like leadership, teamwork, strategic thinking, and personal financial management. Parents will be asked to make donations which will be passed on to OSC.