Opening Speech of CUHK Business School Master’s Degree Graduation Ceremony 2015-2016
Date: 22 March 2017
Topic: Opening Speech of CUHK Business School Master’s Degree Graduation Ceremony 2015-2016
Featuring: Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group
Introduction:
Invited by CUHK Business School, Dr. Allan Zeman, Chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Group, delivered the opening speech at CUHK Business School’s Master’s Degree Graduation Ceremony 2015-2016 on 19 November 2016.
Being a successful entrepreneur, Dr. Allen Zeman thinks that it is important to think out of the box and be creative. He said, “I always look at things not for what they are; I always look at things for what they could be.” He also encouraged students to be positive and confident. Dr. Zeman has 35 offices around the world. Doing business in 35 different countries, the one thing he has learnt is that: “Every culture is different. Don’t try to change the culture as you go out in life,” instead, “you should fit in the way you do business and fit into the culture.”
Dr. Zeman advised the School’s postgraduates should work together in a company. “I’ve always governed my life that way by looking at how I can give back to the society and how I can be a better person. If you have the ability to make the world a better place, there is no point for arguing as everyone can have ideas. Together we stand, divided we fall.”
Dr. Zeman has been in Hong Kong for 48 years and established his first office in Changsha, Hunan 35 years ago when China was just opening up. He witnessed the changes taking place in China and advised that graduates should have an open and tolerant attitude toward China modernity.
“China, for me, was a living history book. Watching the changes taking place, I’ve learnt to trust China, and my prediction is that it will be the largest economy in the world. It’s changing the lives of the people and is getting much better than it has even had before.”
“Don’t fear China. I know this is the mentality of many Hong Kong people. Lots of people are against China as they are thinking about the old China. Don’t make a mistake!” he emphasised.
Finally, in the digital and disruptive world, he encouraged graduates not to be afraid of challenges. “If you aim for first class, you get business class; if you aim for business class, you get economy; if you aim for economy, you go broke! Trust me, be the best at what you do.”
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