What is AIESEC?

February 2012

Who is our advisor?

AIESEC in CityU Newsletter Issue 01

Session 2011-2012 | http://cityu.aiesec.hk | cityu@aiesec.hk

AIESEC is the world’s largest student-run organization with 60 years of experience in developing high-potential youths into globally-minded and responsible leaders, through offering them opportunities to participate in international internships and experiential leaderships. AIESEC provides an international platform for young people to explore and develop their potentials for a positive impact on society.

AIESEC in CityU? Established on 14 July 2011, AIESEC-CityU is a new chapter of AIESEC in Hong Kong. It was established officially at the Annual Dinner of AIESEC Hong Kong with the honorable Mr. C.Y. Leung, GBS, JP, FHKIS, Council Chairman of City University of Hong Kong as the witness of our momentous moment.

AIESEC in numbers

110 Countries/territories 730 Local Committees 2,100 Universities 60,000 Members 16,000 Exchanges 20,000 Leadership opportunities 4,000 Partners 470 Conferences

We are honoured to have Prof Paul K S Lam, Vice-President for Student Affairs of CityU as our advisor to provide guidance on our organizational strategic planning as well as our organizational development in the University.

2

Latest news Green Leaders Tournament (GLT) GLT is a business case study and green entrepreneurship competition held exclusively for CityU students who are interested in environmental issue from 14 January to 19 March 2012. Participants have received training blocks and will proceed to three levels of case studies. The three levels have different focuses on students’ development: analytical skills, social responsibility mindset and entrepreneurship. Supporting organizations include BlackRock, Inc., Career and Internship Office of CityU, Campus Development and Facilities Office of CityU, China Light & Power Company, Global Exchange In Leadership Initiatives, Haddock Invention Hong Kong Limited and Hong Kong Federation Groups.

MADx AIESEC-CityU Brand HK Promotional Adventure Co-organized with Make a Difference (MaD), AIESEC-CityU was pleased to initiate the Brand HK Promotional Adventure from 6 to 10 January 2012. The Adventure includes MaD Forum 2012, an event for 1,200 Asian Youth evolving around creativity, entrepreneurship and discovery, and a two-day customized tour organized by AIESEC HK to let participants get in touch with HK from the perspectives of socio-culture, business and economy. After that, they are required to post a video or write-up on their experience during the stay. Delegates for the campaign were selected amongst Asia Pacific Region AIESEC members. With the support of the Information Service Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the campaign was subsidized in a bid to promote Hong Kong. Delegates came from different countries such as Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Participants during the training block

3

Featured stories…

Thoughts of an AIESECer with international internship experience

Remus Yu: Explore, then bring it back My Development Traineeship in Malaysia is an adventure. However, I believe that whatever I observe in another country can serve as a tool back at home.

To be continued on p.4

Why AIESEC in CityU?

AIESEC is a new organization in CityU. To understand why AIESEC is established in the university, an interview with one of the founders, Mr. Samuel Chan, Vice President of Information Management, Finance and Legal Affairs of AIESEC HK Session 2010-2011, was conducted. I = Interviewer; S=Samuel I: What is your motivation in helping CityU to initiate AIESEC? S: I studied in University of New South Wales in Australia and joined

AIESEC there. At that time, I was one of the members to help set up AIESEC. That experience enabled me to acquire the knowledge of establishing a new Local Committee. When I returned Hong Kong, AIESEC-PolyU had just established. And I thought, after the establishment of AIESEC-PolyU, I needed to help initiate a Local Committee in Hong Kong. At that time, I was studying a master programme at CityU and this motivated me to initiate AIESEC there. Besides, I observed that most students in CityU focus on ‘What’ and ‘How’ to do or improve things. Therefore, I thought that AIESEC is suitable for CityU students.

I. What’s your expectation for AIESEC-CityU? S: I hope that AIESEC-CityU can be the top Local Committee in

AIESEC HK within 3 to 4 years. More importantly, all members in CityU understand what AIESEC is. Hopefully, they know what AIESEC can provide to each of them and grasp every opportunity to learn. Finally, they can apply what they have learnt here in real life situations.

4

Penang is a developing place. The use of technology has yet to be fully integrated into society: buses still rely on the use of paper tickets instead of RFID, purchase records are handwritten and cab drivers never use the meter. Service quality is mediocre at best, a lack of management and customer relations causes 30-minute queues for drinks and dissatisfaction.

Despite the negative impression tourists will receive, as a Developmental Trainee, I see this as an opportunity instead. By living in Malaysia for 6 weeks, I have a better understanding of the people and culture there. I can easily identify areas for improvement and significant gaps in the market that would lead to potential business. After all, money can’t buy your experience or knowledge, all that you observe now will make you valuable. If in the future, your company hopes to expand to Malaysia (which I guarantee, they will), how proud and bold would you be when you raise your hand to say: “I know about Malaysia, I worked there,” Apply this thinking to any country per stay, and you would have competitively leveled yourself above the norm.

“In our experience AIESEC students possess exactly the qualities we are looking for: international and intercultural awareness, integrity, intuition and communication skills. We are always happy to have talented, committed and open-minded AIESEC students on internships with us and to share their spirit which enriches the corporate culture tremendously.”

- Dr Peter Wuffli, Chief Financial Officer, UBS