In response to the Belt and Road Initiative and to meet the training needs of senior executives, the College of Business at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is collaborating with the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University to offer Asia’s first Executive MBA + Master of Public Administration programme.  

With a special focus on public-private partnership (PPP), the programme explores the latest business and public administration trends and knowledge to help students grasp the opportunities offered by the Belt and Road Initiative. With the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), part of the programme will be conducted in the UN Switzerland Headquarters. It will also include a field trip to Belt and Road countries, so that students can experience best PPP practices in a real-world context. CityU will offer an Executive MBA, and Tsinghua University will offer a Master of Public Administration to students who successfully complete the respective award requirements.

The programme was launched in spring 2019, and the first cohort comprises 32 students from Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and various Asian countries. All of the students are either senior government officials or senior executives of government-owned enterprises or publicly listed companies in a wide range of industries, including finance, investment, construction and logistics. 

CityU College of Business organised an orientation programme for students from 11 – 14 April. Professor Yan Houmin, Dean of the College of Business, gave a welcome speech in the orientation programme. Other activities included seminars on the Chinese economy and the business and political context. The speeches, covering a range of topics, including political and legal systems, and innovative technologies, were delivered by distinguished guests, including Dr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, former President of the HKSAR Legislative Council; Mr Shang Hailong, CEO of SenseTime (Hong Kong); and Professor Yang Yongheng, Associate Dean of the School of Public Policy and Management of Tsinghua University. 

Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing, CityU Vice-President (Student Affairs); Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Chief-of-Staff; management of the College of Business and Professor Yang Yongheng of Tsinghua University attended the welcome dinner and exchanged views and experience with the students.