HONG KONG AND INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK PANEL
During this class period, we were graced by several high profile guests. In the beginning of the class, we heard from Mr. Clement C. M. Leung, Hong Kong Commissioner to the United States . Leung has served for over a year and a half as the most senior representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to North America. His job involves helping Hong Kong's government to foster a strong economic relationship with the United States. Leung explained to us exactly how Hong Kong transformed from its humble origins to "Asia's World City". Leung explained the "one country, two systems" model that describes Hong Kong's relationshhip with China as a "special administrative region." This system gives Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy from mainland china in the legal and economic spheres.
This autonomy, Leung said, has allowed Hong Kong to flourish economically, garnering a reputation as a free market and business friendly state. According to Leung, Hong Kong is the world's freest economy, with a low tax rate and simple tax code. A high level of infrastructure and connectivity has helped this economic success. Like some of the other states we've studied, Hong Kong has a strategic location in Asia. Key industries include financial services, trade and logistics, professional services, and tourism.
Most impressively, Leung said, Hong Kong's strengths are complimented by several opportunities. Investment and capital markets as well as arbitration centers demonstrate areas for continued economic growth in Hong Kong.
Following Leung's remarks, the International Education Week Panel began. Titled "Global Competence in Business", the panel sponsored by the Center for International Business Education and Research, featured international business leaders from various cultural and professional backgrounds who shared their perspectives on the importance of global competence in business and how we as students can develop it.
Mr. Mohamed Abdel Kader is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of International and Foreign Language Education at the US Department of Education. Ms. Jing Su Vivatrat is the Managing Director of the Asia Group, a strategy and capital advisory firm.
Mr. Trevor Gunn is the Vice President of International Relations at Medtronic, a global medical technologies company.
The professional delivered their unique perspective on the role of global competence in business based on their fields and past experiences.
To build global competence, the panelists encouraged us to "be authentic" and "repress our cultural arrogance". Vivatrat told us to find ways to immerse ourselves in foreign cultures at home. Kader emphasized the importance of foreign languages. While many think that multilingualism is less necessary of Americans as English becomes more widely spoken across the globe. However, Kader debunked this mindset, explaining that 75% of the world does not speak English. Finally, Gunn provided a great framework in which we could develop our business skills. Think of a tripod, he told us. Having a techincal, language, and business skill gives you three solid legs to stand on in the global business environment.
The Takeaways:
I enjoyed learning about what makes Hong Kong competitve from a business standpoint. This built upon the demographic information I researched independently as part of building my global business savvy. I look forward to learning more on my visit to Hong Kong this winter.
Thinking about how the expert's advice applied to me, I realized that I already see the value of foreign languages and actively seek opportunities for cultural engagement and immersion. However, I had to think a bit more critically about my "tripod". I am develiping business skills like marketing in my major courses. I speak two foreign languages proficiently and am striving to increase my skill level in both. However, I felt lacking in the area of tecnhical skills. As a business student, a lot of the "technical" skills I have been learning are, naturally, business skills. Gunn's advice has encouraged me to invest in developing more technical skills, such as coding. I would love to work on this over the winter. In building this technical skill, I can provide myself with a strong tripod on which to stand.
Further, It was very telling to see how closely the panelists' advice mirrored the steps listed in the Global Mindset Framework provided. These tips are clearly recognized by academics and professionals alike as keys to building a global mindset and cultural competence.
