Fung Scholars Leadership Conference 2019

Fung Scholars Leadership

On 9 November 2019, 89 Fung Scholars and Fung Fellows convened together in Shanghai for the annual Fung Scholars Leadership Conference 2019.

With the theme of “Big Data: Business Innovation and Application", the 2019 conference was a day of learning encompassing: big data, digitalization, and design thinking with the chance to share ideas around the topic of innovation, social enterprise, and businesses together with excursions to a world-class expo and sight-seeing.

This year, the conference was organised around the 2nd China International Import Expo, where Fung Scholars and Fung Fellows paid a visit to the Fung Group booth to learn about the group's 113 years of experience in the global consumer goods supply chain and our leading solutions and technology across trade, logistics, distribution and retail.

At the conference, Victor Fung shared his insights on the changing geopolitical landscape which has resulted in a new flow of trade and the reorganization of the global supply chain. Leveraging his experience in the industry and global network, he emphasized that Fung Group has never been in a better position to be the trusted partner to bring new added value for our customers in this complex era.

Other keynote speakers include Reto Matter (Head of Data at Li & Fung) and Herbert Chia (Venture Partner of Sequoia Capital China Fund), who both provided insights on the application of big data and data analytics, followed by two discussion panels ‘Ideas Polygram’ around the topic of Humanities, and Technology & Innovation.

In the afternoon, the Fung Scholars and Fung Fellows were divided into groups and were tasked with answering the question: “How Might We Imagine the Future of Retail?” Participants were given the chance to learn about design thinking; the process, tools and mindset required to create a human-centric experience and innovation ideas.

The conference is an annual event organized by the Victor and William Fung Foundation, as a way to nurture future world leaders through supporting university students to experience different cultures and environments early in their careers.

"With the increasing trend of globalization, graduates with an international outlook and experience in diverse cultures and environments are human capital critical to the continuous progress of a society," said Victor Fung, Chairman of the Victor and William Fung Foundation and the opening speaker of the conference.

An excursion to the French Quarter was organized by the Fung Scholars Shanghai Chapter. The participants were able to learn the history of Shanghai and to see this city from a different perspective. The annual Fung Scholars Conference came to the end with fun and laughers!

We appreciate all Fung Scholars’ engagement in the Fung Scholars Community, with special thanks to the long-term support from Mr. Kevin Lo (FS 06/07, City University of Hong Kong) to the Hong Kong Chapter and Ms. Jamie Ko (FS 09/10, Singapore Management University) to the Singapore Chapter who have been supporting the bonding among Fung Scholars with various initiatives every year.

As of July 2019, the Fung Scholars Program was established in 31 universities worldwide with more than 6,000 Fung Scholars.

“I will join hands and walk together with my fellow Fung Scholars with love and our shared vision of growth. Let us all make an effort to contribute to Fung Scholars with our networks and our vision of serving the society. ”

Kevin Lo

“It has been an incredible journey starting and growing the Singapore Chapter — getting to know scholars across so many different cohorts, especially the newer generations, and getting to know scholars from other countries and chapters. I am often inspired by the diverse interests and aspirations of Fung Scholars I meet at the local chapter, and also at leadership conferences!”

Jamie Ko

Check out what the Fung Scholars and Fung Fellows are saying about the program:

“I valued the opportunity to meet and bond (something that is done better in person) with other Fung scholars who do amazing things across the world.” Marley Robinson (FS19, University of Oxford)

Keynote speech: “Inspiring and encouraging speech, new ideas, encouraging to innovate and to reflect on business, trade war and others.” Yifan Shen (FS18/19, Harbin Institute of Technology)

Keynote speech: “Implications of technology and geopolitics on the global supply chain - inspired me to also think about what other implications there are in other areas” Hello Design Thinking Workshop: “Work - helps me take a different perspective when I approach solutioning at work” Jamie Ko (FS09/10, Singapore Management University)

“Meeting Fung Scholars from all over the world, making friendships, having conversations about many interesting topics.” “The large amount of community and diversity; great organization; people were very nice.”

Felipe Castellano-Macias (FS18/19, Northeastern University)