Clement Chan, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) gave insights into sustainable economy and the accounting profession in China, to a UIC audience at the High Table Dinner on 25 April.
Prof Stella Cho, Dean of the Division of Business and Management (DBM), said in her welcome address that the High Table Dinner aimed to “promote intellectual exchange between the guest and students”. The dinner also enhanced communication among students, developing “a sense of pride and identity with the College”.
In the High Table Dinner speech, Clement Chan noted that sustainability is a critical and primary driving force behind economic, financial and developmental success. He said, “Sustainability has gradually evolved into a sophisticated benchmarking system that also encompasses governance and business strategy.”
As sustainability becomes increasingly relevant to the accounting profession, he suggested that accountants should not only “help entities report their sustainability”, but also “help them define what sustainability really is”.
Mr Chan then spoke of the development of the accounting profession in China and reminisced about his visit to Beijing in the early 1980s. He encouraged UIC students to help cultivate the growth of China’s businesses and to “contribute to China's financial, commercial and economic development”.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining high ethical standards. “Becoming a professional, in the true sense, is not about getting rich or obtaining a high social status. It is about providing essential services to the general public for a fair remuneration,” he said.
Clement Chan and UIC Vice President Prof Zee Sze-Yong exchange souvenirs
This 64th High Table Dinner was organised by DBM and the Four Point Education Coordination Office. It was also the Closing Ceremony of the 2013-2014 Mentor Caring Program (MCP) for the DBM Year One students.
Prof Stella Cho hoped the freshmen have benefited from interaction with their mentors and have well settled in the learning and residential environment at UIC. She also expressed appreciation to all the MCP mentors for their hard work.
Earlier in the afternoon, Clement Chan and Jonathan Ng, Executive Director of HKICPA, attended the HKICPA Qualification Programme Resource Centre Cooperation Agreement Renewal Signing Ceremony.
Reporter: Tong Haiyan
Photographers: Liu Chang and Tong Haiyan
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
