Gobi 19 | CUHK Business School warriors return in triumph from Gobi Desert
The purple flag of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School once again flew over the Gobi Desert. The 19th Xuanzang Road Business School Gobi Challenge (Gobi 19) officially concluded on 4 October, with a record scale of 120 teams and 5,833 warriors taking on the challenge. Over 100 warriors from CUHK Business School participated in the competition as the EMBA team and FMBA & MBA team, completing the course with an indomitable spirit. They claimed multiple awards, including the Shackleton Award and Endeavour Award for team performance, Succession Excellence Award, Double Stars Sparkling Award, and more, showcasing the strong bond of the business school community. The Gobi Challenge is a desert endurance race for the world’s top business schools. Since its debut in 2006, the Gobi Challenge has drawn teams from nearly 100 prestigious business schools, making it China’s largest outdoor race for business schools. Enrolment is divided into the EMBA and MBA categories, competing in the team challenge (Team A), full-course traversing (Team B), single-day experience (Team C), and the “A+ Individual Race,” a gruelling 121-kilometre trek over 22 consecutive hours from day to night. 83 EMBA warriors participated in Teams A, B, and C, enduring long hours of harsh desert weather. Team A completed the three-day trek of 92.6 kilometres in 9 hours, 35 minutes, and 41 seconds. Team B overcame challenges like hypothermia, bone fractures, and lagging behind, spurred by the unwavering support of Professor Liu Ming, director of the EMBA (Chinese) Programme, who stayed with the team until the end. Team C worked diligently behind the scenes while cheering for all the warriors. Everyone gave their best effort, and crossing the finish line was an emotional moment for all. The FMBA & MBA team sent 46 elites to participate in the race, similarly divided into Teams A, B, and C. Team A finished the race in 8 hours, 33 minutes, and 17 seconds, making history by setting the new second-best record among Hong Kong institutions. Team B demonstrated strong teamwork and came in third place in the race. Members of Team C played a vital role as cheerleaders for Teams A and B, serving as their support network. Professor Gu Zhaoyang, director of the FMBA Programme, participated in the race for the fifth time. Despite battling ailments, the veteran insisted on leading the team to finish the race. Professor Ma Xufei, associate dean (research and impact) of the Business School, also travelled from afar to cheer on both teams. Impressed by the warriors’ great performance at the Gobi Challenge, he gave a speech to honour the dedication of all warriors and staff members. Ms Sarah Wong, representative of the CUHK Business School Alumni Office, took part in the race as a first timer. Throughout the Gobi 19 journey, she witnessed how the business school community, despite fatigue and injuries, encouraged each other all the way across the vast desert to the end of the race. We look forward to having more EMBA (both English and Chinese classes), FMBA, and MBA alumni engage in the Gobi Challenge tradition, to represent CUHK Business School in the desert race, and be a part of the unique and unforgettable journey. If you are interested in joining the next Gobi Challenge, please contact the Alumni Office (email: alumni_baf@cuhk.edu.hk or WeChat ID: CUHKBSAlumni) and stay tuned for updates!
Introduction:
EMBA Team:
List of Awards:
FMBA & MBA Team:
List of Awards:
Ms Sarah Wong