Dubai Women’s College (DWC) 13 final year Business students, specializing in Financial Services recently visited Hong Kong as part of an ongoing effort by DWC to promote international exchanges between Emirati students and their peers across the globe.
Dr. Howard Reed, Director of Dubai Women’s College said that International Study Tours are an essential part of each DWC program providing valuable real-life industry experience from a global perspective to enhance the learning process. “Securing sponsorship for International Study Tours, during the economic downturn, is difficult and special thanks go to the Financial Services and Banking Program Advisory Committee for committing funds for this purpose,” he added.
Dr. Monica Gallant, Chair of the Business Department pointed out that students learn so much from travelling abroad. “Not only do they learn about the country that they visit but they also learn important self-management skills and gain tremendous amounts of self confidence and pride in their country,” she mentioned.
Before leaving to Hong Kong, students conducted research about the economy, banks, universities, stock exchange and other financial institutions there. Then once they reached this exciting city, they interacted with professionals to learn first-hand how Hong Kong developed a competitive economic environment and came to be ranked third in the Global Financial Centers Index. Ms. Fahmida Habib, DWC Finance faculty, who organized and led the study tour commented, “Finance is a truly global industry and a Finance education is incomplete without some form of global exposure. Funding support from the Financial Services Program Advisory Committee made this valuable trip possible.”
Students gained knowledge about the financial markets, trade, education and fascinating history of Hong Kong. They visited the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, HSBC Bank, Bank of China, UAE Exchange Hong Kong and the UAE Consulate. Ms. Bonnie Chan, Vice President of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, spoke to the students about the functions and regulations of Hong Kong Exchange. Mr. Ching Kwok Leung, Senior Manager Corporate and Financial Institutions at Bank of China conducted an interesting tour of the Bank of China tower, explained the bank’s products, the competition between banks in Hong Kong and other financial facts and figures. He commented, “I am very impressed by what the students already know about Hong Kong and the finance industry.”
The DWC group was also hosted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and Lingnan University where they toured the campuses, interacted with their Chinese counterparts and met faculty and staff in these universities. Iris Shaw, a law student and President of AIESEC at the Chinese University who had earlier visited DWC commented, “It was our pleasure to host these amazing students from Dubai and return the hospitality they had shown us last year.” Muna Al Awar, a participating DWC student said, “The trip to Hong Kong was greater than my expectations, it has broadened my knowledge about cultural and financial views of Hong Kong.”
DWC goes beyond the classroom to give students an international experience and unique opportunity to represent themselves, their country, their college and culture.
