At the 12th Induction Ceremony of the Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) Hong Kong Baptist University Chapter, held on 9 June 2022, 129 outstanding students, graduates and faculty members of the School of Business were honoured with BGS lifetime membership.
Prof. Ed Snape, Dean of HKBU School of Business, congratulated honorees for their accomplishments. “It is especially meaningful to achieve such a significant recognition at a challenging time like this,” said Prof. Snape. “You are among the world’s top business graduates and leaders, and I am sure that you will not only dedicate yourself to career development, but will also extend your efforts to help shape a better world for future generations.”
Prof. Justin Chiu Kwok-hung, Member of Executive Committee and Executive Director, CK Asset Holdings Limited, was awarded the Chapter Honouree for his outstanding leadership as a businessman and his contribution to economic and social development in Hong Kong. Best known for his business acumen and creativity, Prof. Chiu has more than 40 years of experience in real estate in Hong Kong and overseas, and is one of the most respected professionals in the property industry in Asia. He is a pioneer in real estate investment trust business, and nicknamed as the ‘King of Asian REITs’ by the media in Hong Kong.
Walking down memory lane to trace early career life with students, Prof. Chiu encouraged junior fellows to find their passion and make their own path. “My defining period was from my twenties to forties, where I encountered a lot of opportunities to choose from,” shared Prof. Chiu, “but opportunities are always for those who are well-prepared. My number one principle is to be dedicated and respectful in my own work. It is also important to be innovative and responsible, if you are to stand out from the crowd, and keep advancing in your career ladder and in your life.”
This kind of work attitude has helped him to turn numerous crises into opportunities, and has brought him the “God of Property” reputation. In 2003, Prof. Chiu led the CK Asset Holdings team to sell more than 6,000 units of new real estate, a record-breaking success of the company which was especially encouraging during SARS, a challenging time for the global economy. He dressed up in costumes at the sales activities as the first back then, when the norm was still formal dressing. This innovative move attracted quite a lot of positive publicity that eventually brought results to the sales. His leadership and creativity had an impact not only on the company’s sales, but also on the overall mood of the Hong Kong public. “My goal was to bring a positive vibe to Hong Kong people, as society’s ambiance was rather gloomy during SARS. I was glad that the idea turned out to be well-received, and brought good results to the sales too! ”
A member of the School of Business Advisory Committee, an Adjunct Professor and a DBA alumnus of the School of Business, Prof. Chiu is more than a businessperson but a man with many interests. He believes wide exposure to diverse cultures and topics helps to broaden one’s mind and vision, hence opening up more opportunities. Prof. Chiu is a passionate advocate for community development, education and environmental protection. He served as a member of the Government’s advisory bodies in Hong Kong and the Shanghai Chinese Peoples’ Political Consultative Committee in China. With the conviction that education is crucial to a society’s development, Prof. Chiu has donated generously to charity and education institutions worldwide through the Pecan Foundation, a family charitable foundation.
Dr. Frederick Yim, Chapter Advisor of the BGS HKBU Chapter and Associate Professor in the Department of Marketing, stressed the importance of staying agile and innovative with an open worldview to achieve a positive impact, as illustrated in Prof. Chiu’s sharing. “Not only does Prof. Chiu leverage his creativity to create business profits, he also uses his strengths to build a better community and environment, which aligns with the School’s dedication to business ethics and corporate sustainability.”
Established in 1913, Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) is the international honour society serving business programmes accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), with chapters in 190 regions and countries and members of more than 900,000 around the globe. Members of BGS are the top 10% of undergraduate students, top 20% of graduate students and all doctoral candidates that have successfully defended their dissertation at an AACSB accredited business school. The BGS HKBU Chapter was founded in 2010, with the aim of honouring distinguished students of the School, unleashing their leadership potential and expanding their global network to connect with professional leaders. Members and chapters of BGS are committed to upholding the founding principles and values of the Society: honour and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, earnestness and service.
