HBSAHK Nonprofit Scholarship Program

Since 2001, Harvard Business School Association of Hong Kong has been offering scholarships to Hong Kong's NGO leaders to attend an executive education program "Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management" (SPNM) at Harvard Business School every summer. Awardees include leaders from Community Chest Hong Kong, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Hong Kong Paralympic Committee & Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, Hospital Authority of Hong Kong, Mother's Choice, Ltd., PathFinders Ltd., Po Leung Kuk, Social Ventures Hong Kong, and World Green Organization etc.

The evolving global economy is presenting new challenges for business leaders – not only in the private sector but among nonprofits as well. These challenges require today's leaders to step up their game with broader skills and more agile organizational strategies. The SPNM program exactly focuses on how change constantly affects organizations. Through interactive classroom sessions, as well as both structured and informal group discussions, participants explore the proactive methods for anticipating and mastering the evolving requirements of nonprofit leadership. This strategy-oriented course offers a valuable opportunity for leaders of nonprofit organizations to think about the mission and strategy of their organizations and to be exposed to management concepts which might allow them to more efficiently meet the challenges they face in Hong Kong today. By training and empowering those who manage social and charitable organizations, and by making them more effective and efficient in the delivery of their services, it is intended that these scholarships have a multiple and leveraged impact on the well-being of the most needy in Hong Kong.

Since its inception from 2001 to 2016, the scholarships were sponsored by HBSAHK Trust Fund named in honor of the late Andy Choa, a Hong Kong graduate of the School and prominent member of our Association for many years, with Anthony Golamco, Carl Lu and Dorothy Lau being the Trustees. The Ngai Family Foundation along with a few generous alumni have also donated over the years to sponsor scholarships and scholarship-related expenses.

Starting from 2017 to 2021, this scholarship program was run directly by the Association and named after Mr. Ming Wai Lau, to reflect his generous support and sponsorship of this program. Due to COVID-19 and cancellation of the SPNM/scholarship program in 2020, 2021 and 2022, Mr. Lau's sponsorship was extended to 2023. The HBSAHK Trust Fund was resumed in 2024. To date, a total of 68 scholarships have been granted.