Academics
Business students looking to catch a ride on the Asian economic boom would do well to consider The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), the 鈥渢op MBA school in Asia鈥 with a 鈥渟trategic location at the heart of Asia.鈥 鈥淭he focus of the program is on the region,鈥 and the program is in 鈥渁 perfect location to leverage Asia鈥檚 booming economy.鈥 鈥淓ver since my studies, I have had the ambition to prepare myself for a career in the Asian region,鈥 one student says, explaining the decision to attend HKUST. HKUST employs a 鈥渧ery strong teaching facility in finance鈥 and an 鈥渋ntense academic atmosphere.鈥 鈥淭he MBA office has some major gaps to cover, but it is clearly trying to improve itself to better serve the MBA students.鈥
Academics at HKUST can be intense, and the 鈥渨orkload is a killer.鈥 鈥淲e need 100+ hours a week鈥 to complete homework, classes, group projects, discussion, and club activities, according to one student. Although students also note that 鈥渢he school is very supportive.鈥 The Administration 鈥渕ust be the friendliest and [most] helpful bunch of people I have ever met.鈥
Despite the problems students have with the MBA office, they are much happier with the professors. 鈥淥verall the school has brilliant teachers that are balanced between academia and business experience,鈥 offering a 鈥渘ice blend of practitioners from the East, business professionals from the West, and academics.鈥 鈥淚 was initially worried about joining a business school based in Hong Kong because of perceived language barriers,鈥 one student explains. 鈥淭hankfully, I never faced such a challenge because all the professors were educated from the top business schools in the United States, and as a result, their communication skills are exceptionally good.鈥 Some of the 鈥渂usiness leaders in Asia鈥 who the school boasts as faculty include WalMart China鈥檚 former president, PepsiCo Asia鈥檚 former president, and the GM of Hutchinson Whampoa鈥檚 Investment and Head Legal Counsel.