In November 2024, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) signed a Collaborative Agreement with Hang Seng Bank (Hang Seng or the Bank) to foster collaboration with industry partners. One such initiative is the MBA Consulting Project aimed at addressing practical business challenges related to sustainability and innovation initiatives. The MBA Consulting Project course is designed to equip MBA students with knowledge of sustainable business practices. On 12 May, 2025, three teams presented their research at Hang Seng’s head office, each focusing on a distinct topic:

• Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) in Financial Services:
This project explored the adoption of Gen AI technologies to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and improve decision-making processes. Their research featured case studies on successful Gen AI implementations within the banking sector and proposed practical ideas for Hang Seng to leverage Gen AI for potential competitive advantage. Students were able to apply what they have learned in the AI and Blockchain Application in Business in this project.

• New Economy in Financial Services:
This project examined emerging economic trends and their implications for the banking and financial services industry. The team analysed sectors such as Life Health Technology, AI & Data Science, and New Energy as well as their growth factors to the industry. Their findings suggested use cases as references for Hang Seng to the evolving economic landscape and seize new opportunities.

• Sustainability in the Construction Industry:
This project focused on the intersection of banking and sustainability within the construction sector. The team studied leading practices and financing options that could support environmentally friendly construction projects. Their studies focused on the importance of integrating sustainability into financial decision-making and proposed practical considerations as growth opportunities. Sustainability and ESG Issues in Business course equipped students with practical knowledge, enabling them to apply ESG principles effectively in the financial services industry.

Key guests from Hang Seng included Ms. Shelley Zhou (Managing Director and Head of Corporate Sustainability), Mr. Angus Wong (Managing Director and Head of Corporate Banking Client Coverage), Ms. Nancy Cheng (Head of Partnership and Innovation), Mr. Kevin Wong (Head of Structured Banking), Mr. Andrew Cheung (Senior Strategist, Strategic Planning and Corporate Development), Mr. Ivan Ho (Director, ESG and Carbon Corporate Sustainability), and Mr. Tally Chan (Head of Private Credit Origination) and Ms. Kitty Cheung (Head of Sustainable Finance). From CityUHK MBA, Professor Chak Fu Lam (Programme Director), Professor You Jin Kim (Department of Management), Professor Christopher Chen, and Professor Lambert Chan (College of Business Adjunct Professors) also attended to provide feedback for our students on their presentation. After a brief introduction by Ms. Nancy Cheng on the Hang Seng and CityUHK collaboration, as well as Professor Chak Fu Lam’s expression of gratitude to the Hang Seng mentors and CityUHK professors for their guidance, three teams then presented their research findings successfully to the audience and received valuable feedback and suggestions on their projects.

Kayla Ge, leader of the New Economy group, shared her experiences with the MBA Project: “Over the past four months, guided by our professor, the New Economy Group met with the mentors at Hang Seng’s head office to understand the Bank's expectations and project requirements. We engaged in a series of discussions and subsequently analysed the six most prominent industries related to new economy, delivering five total submissions based on the needs of our professor and Hang Seng. Throughout the process, both our professor and the mentors from Hang Seng were incredibly supportive, offering numerous suggestions and guidance on industry research, logical analysis, and presentation skills. Ultimately, our group successfully completed the industry research and analysis for the Life Health Technology, AI & Data Science, and New Energy sectors, providing in-depth insights and growth ideas for Hang Seng’s consideration.”