HKMA's 60+1 Anniversary - commencing an exciting new era

The 60+1 Anniversary is a historic milestone for the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA), a leading professional organization dedicated to advancing management excellence in Hong Kong and the region. Dr Y K Pang, Chairman of the HKMA, is extremely proud of the many outstanding achievements of the Association, and pays tribute to the untiring efforts of his predecessors and a host of staunch supporters.

An impeccable network of members

Since its founding six decades ago, the HKMA has enjoyed tremendous support from students, academics, individual and corporate members, and managers and leaders who attach great importance to the Association’s development programmes including seminars, workshops and conferences which address the latest opportunities and challenges facing the business community.  The Association is able to rely on the wisdom and support of those serving on its Council, Committees and Advisory Board, all of whom are eminent business leaders and industry experts, and stay at the forefront of the latest business trends and challenges and serve the business community of Hong Kong and the Region.
As a celebratory initiative for its 60th Anniversary, the Association launched the 60th Anniversary Talent Development Fund which offers financial assistance to aspiring young executives to continue their professional growth. The support gained over the past few decades from outstanding corporate members has resulted in the creation of the special “Most Respected Organizations Award” to recognize organizations that have been pillars of the Association, and which have made remarkable contributions to the economic growth and development of Hong Kong and the Region.  The Hon Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor , Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, was the Guest of Honour of the HKMA’s 60+1 Anniversary celebrations on 14 December.

Supporting individuals in the Business Community

Growing with Hong Kong, the HKMA has, Pang notes, helped the business community confront many crises.  For example, the HKMA supported talented individuals  across different sectors to upgrade themselves during the economic downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, through offering the Learn and Grow Subsidy Scheme. Another initiative is the HKMA Scholarships for Individuals in SARS Affected Industries offered in 2003. To help local SMEs advance management standards and cope with future challenges, the Association frequently offer free participation and reduced rates for SMEs to attend its numerous seminars and workshops offered all-year-round.
The past year’s challenges have prompted the HKMA to further widen the scope and strengthen the depth of its academic and professional development progrommes and geographical reach, all thanks to the insights and advice given by experts and leaders of their respective industries. In June 2020, the Association launched the Doctoral Network and Advisory (DNA) group under the HKMA Institute of Advanced Management Development (AMD). This platform provides academic and pastoral support to doctoral students of the Association, and  solidify its position as a hub of doctoral level education outside the university sector.

Peering into the HKMA’s future with the Chairman 

“Looking forward, we will be stepping up our efforts to promote innovation, business transformation and environmental, social and governance practices including sustainability, as well as developing our reach into the Greater Bay Area as these are vital areas of focus for any organization to remain competitive in the future,” Dr Pang observes.
Pang shares exciting plans to launch a groundbreaking Innovation Award in 2022, with the aim of promoting a culture of innovation and creativity amongst organizations large and small in the business sector, and to give public recognition to organizations that have demonstrated out-of-the-box thinking, and willingness to challenge the status quo through creating innovative products and services, transforming  business processes and disrupting their existing business model.
“Another Award which has risen significantly in prominence in recent years is the HKMA Sustainability Award”, said Pang.  “Thanks to the insights from leading management executives, the Association identified the growing importance of sustainability back in 2016 before “Sustainability” and “ESG” became the organization priorities they are today.”  Since its launch in 2016, the biennial Sustainability Award has become highly respected in the area of sustainable development, and in response to the increasing demand for sustainability transition, the HKMA will run the award on an annual basis starting from 2022.
“Apart from that, this year’s newly inaugurated HKMA Global Centre for ESG Education and Research will also support leaders and management in all sectors to accelerate their ESG journeys, and in turn strengthen Hong Kong’s sustainable development and strategic positioning as a global green finance center in the years to come”, Pang added.
The HKMA aims to continue to lead management thinking and development in the coming 60 years, continuously developing new initiatives and plans in response to changes in the management landscape in the future, nurture future managers and leaders, and enhance the competitiveness of  the business community in Hong Kong and in the Region.