Alumni Stories Reshaping for Excellence: Vincent Cheng (EMBA 2022) Meets Challenges in Innovation Head On

Reshaping for Excellence: Vincent Cheng (EMBA 2022) Meets Challenges in Innovation Head On

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    The winds of change sweep and toss opportunities around, but only those who stay fast and focused can thrive. Vincent Cheng (EMBA 2022), CEO of​​ Ocean Science (Hong Kong) Limited, believes that to triumph over challenges is to constantly excel oneself. After two years of introspection and self-enrichment in CUHK Business School, he has consolidated his experience in different industries to embrace the new era of innovation and technology.

     

    Clarify in the Midst of Ambiguity

    Vincent is a high-flyer with the entrepreneurial spirit; he has tapped into different trades, from electronic products to private English tuition, and from chemical imports to e-commerce and logistics. Underneath these vibrant and rich credentials, however, is an exhausted ego. “Many of my past job choices were driven by the winds of trend, and that resulted in a lack of connection among the various industries I explored. Frequent switching from industry to industry even led me to doubt myself.” After a fateful entrepreneurial endeavour that ended in failure, Vincent decided to push the reset button by enrolling himself in the EMBA programme of CUHK Business School, with a view to sorting out the confusion.

    Vincent is thankful about this introspective process. “At the Residence Week, I took the personality test which said ‘you ought to emphasise on quality, not quantity”. It was the moment of epiphany,” he says. To Vincent, the programme is about whole-person rather than only academic growth. Although he was not a top scoring student, he holds all the teaching dear to his heart. “I can draw useful conclusions from my past experience thanks to the theories that I have learnt. Meanwhile, I also realised that I was able to harness my strengths to create value for society through my entrepreneurial effort.”

     


    Thanks to his EMBA study, Vincent has consolidated his experience in different industries to embrace the new era of innovation and technology.

     

    Insights Derived from Hands-on Experience

    Vincent currently works with two cross-disciplinary technology startups, Ocean Science HK Limited and PhoMedics, despite not excelling in science subjects. He jokingly admits that he has always been afraid of STEM since childhood. Reflecting on his experience entering the field of technology startups, he emphasises the importance of diligence and hard work. “I went through the hassle of COVID quarantine to go for a field trip in China during the pandemic just to work on a EMBA project about battery manufacturing. Now that I work with PhoMedics, I would sit in their product research and development meetings for several months to understand every product in detail.”

    Vincent is optimistic that markets and investors are getting more and more interested in innovation and technology, but he insists that “solid knowledge and hands-on experience count in crafting business opportunities, eloquence alone does not.” Although it is by definition challenging to chart the uncharted territories, he embraces the learning process with open arms. “We are living in an era where change is the only constant. Only through a solid grasp of details can we push our intellectual boundaries to create or lead changes.”

     

    Hong Kong and Shenzhen Teams Up as One

    Through the on-going collaboration with innovation startups, Vincent began to find his own bearings on the industry. As opposed to technical professionals, he wishes to bring in business and entrepreneurial insights to facilitate the incubation of new products and services. “As individuals, we have our own weaknesses and limitations, which is why teamwork is important, and so is placing the right person in the right job.” Vincent is particularly grateful for being part of two dedicated teams, with each and every member working towards the shared goals.

    Through increased collaboration with colleagues in Hong Kong, Vincent has come to appreciate the city’s innovative research and the managerial capabilities of its business leaders. “As part of the Greater Bay Area team, Hong Kong’s cutting-edge research and comprehensive policies complement Mainland China’s solid industry infrastructure and vast market.” Vincent believes that this synergy can further enhance Hong Kong’s strengths as an innovation and technology hub. As an entrepreneur based in the region, he is excited to leverage Hong Kong’s strategic position as a bridgehead to launch his medical and marine technological products globally, contributing to the betterment of society.