Business School reaffirms commitment to Asia Pacific

The Dean of the Business School, Professor Greg Whitwell, announced the ongoing sponsorship following the recent 2019 Awards ceremony in Hong Kong.

The annual Awards, which were founded 26 years ago by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (AustCham), are designed to highlight "the initiative of companies seizing the business opportunities between Australia, Hong Kong and China."

The Business School sponsors the Award in the category of Business Innovation, Creative Industries & the Digital Economy, which this year went to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Since its formation in 1906, the orchestra has grown to become one of the top 20 in the world and was described during the Hong Kong presentation ceremony as one of Australia's leading cultural ambassadors.

The Award was presented by the Business School's Director External Engagement and International, Ms Fiona O'Sullivan, to the Governor of Victoria, Ms Linda Dessau, who received the award for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Finalists in the category were Tennis Australia; hospitality company Ovolo Hotels; Asiapay, an electronic transaction firm; and Blockshine, which offers blockchain products and services.

In the audience were Australia’s Ambassador to China, Ms Jan Adams; the Governor of Victoria, Ms Linda Dessau; Hong Kong Chief Executive, Ms Carrie Lam; and Australia's Consul General in the Special Administrative Region, Ms Michaela Browning.

"Our sponsorship of the award for excellence in 'Business Innovation, Creative Industries & the Digital Economy' is aligned with our focus on the future and our 'business not as usual' vision, which encourages our students and researchers to challenge the status quo in their search for new ways to make people's lives better," said Professor Whitwell.

"More specifically, our partnership with the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing is a sign of our commitment to the Asia Pacific Region generally and China in particular,” he concluded.