1819T2 Hong Kong/Course

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Overview of Project Course

Synopsis

At the doorstep to China, Hong Kong is the financial capital hub for Asia. Despite its money, talent and infrastructure, there are challenges with exorbitant high cost of living and startup attitudes. We will explore the one country and two systems region by comparing Hong Kong and Shenzhen startups, universities, science parks, and people in general.

Hong Kong was the trading hub between the east and west. The culture breathes business and entrepreneurship. How has this changed? Learn how a new graduate with promising future and excellent credential still stay with their family because of the crazy housing cost. Does making ends meet leave room to think about starting a company? We will search for the few mavericks who dare and ask them what motivates them?

Let's explore the Silicon Valley of China and its people.

Objectives

This course will help

• Introduce students to the entrepreneurship scene.
• Develop an understanding of the factors leading to the proliferation of start-ups.
• Aspiring student entrepreneurs apply their findings to their own venture.
• Students understand how and why entrepreneurs in Hong Kong were able to start up technology-based companies.
• Students explore Technopreneurship related internship opportunities with the companies that they visit.

Teams

Student teams will be assigned to different organizations.

Output and Assessment Summary

Students will be assessed on both in class and during the trip activities and conduct. The grade break down and project descriptions are listed below.

Grade breakdown

The grade breakdown is listed below.

No	Time Frame	Topics	Assessment Type	Weighting
1	Pre-Trip	Research on Organization	Team	20%
2		Trip planning	Individual	20%
3	Trip	Discussion & Presentation	Individual	20%
4		Trip role	Individual	20%
5		Reflection	Individual	10%
6	All	Wiki, Blog & Photos	Individual	10%

Assignment

Here are the assignments:

1. In class presentations and wiki report
   1. Teams are to research on selected or assigned organization.
      1. Hong Kong & Shenzhen: background, industry, culture, ecosystem, research universities, compare to Singapore, politics, aspiration, etc.
      2. The culture/trait could be connections (companies, country, customer focus), support environment (government, business, infrastructure, society, market maturity, reputation), personality/company culture (integrity, leadership, competitive, entrepreneurship, savvy, creative, innovative, dynamic, risk taking, commitment to technology, excellent communication, team spirit, fun seeking, etc.). Research on this by reading books, websites or interviews. Come up with examples of company events when this trait is vital to the company. Explore this trait in some of the organization we will visit.
      3. Organization: background, motivation, challenges, investments/employee stock ownership plan/intellectual property, strategy/business model/IPO, culture/personalities/politics/connections, etc. Students to prepare a company brief that is due before the trip.
      4. [Subsidised students only] Organization and students to work on a mutually agreed problem statement, which will be beneficial to both our students and the companies
      5. SMU Library resources. You may contact XIA Wei <weixia@smu.edu.sg> if you need to get SMU library resources while doing your research.
   2. Individual will be assessed based on the quality of your contributions in the role you play, getting organization, helping out with the trip planning and execution.
2. During the trip
   1. Teams will ask questions, when the opportunity presents itself. Each team will introduce their company, present the focus and recommend improvements. Each team will have a backup team to support them (taking photos, questions, follow up, etc)
   2. Individual will keep a journal/blog/diary/tweet (with video, photo, links, etc.) on the discussion and visits. Focus on learning points and reflections. Compile your journal in the individual reflection page.
3. Post trip Presentation
   1. Reflection on your research
   2. Key takeaways (2) or learning points from the organization
   3. Quotes from presenter/senior management/owner/founder
   4. Recommendation on how the trip can be improved further

Academic Integrity

All acts of academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, facilitation of acts of academic dishonesty by others, unauthorized possession of exam questions, or tampering with the academic work of other students) are serious offences. All work (whether oral or written) submitted for purposes of assessment must be the student’s own work. Penalties for violation of the policy range from zero marks for the component assessment to expulsion, depending on the nature of the offense.

When in doubt, students should consult the instructors of the course. Details on the SMU Code of Academic Integrity may be accessed at http://www.smuscd.org/resources.html.

Classroom Planning

There will be several classroom meetings to organize the course, trip and research. Students will meet in classroom to present their research findings. The teams are required to update their progress using the wiki.

Course Schedule Summary

Class (Week)	Topics	Comments
1	Course introduction, team formation and organization assignment.	Cast & Roles, Project Teams and Organisation. Take team and group photos.
2	Organization groupings for each team and trip planning	Trip itinerary and Organisation Grouping.
6	Present organisation research. Preliminary contact.	Organization Research and Contact.
Week 8: Break.
10	Present organisation research. Preliminary contact.	Organization Research and Contact.
13	Finalise Trip itinerary and Organization (company brief due)	Last minute changes (flight, excursions, organization, forum, etc)
16	Trip briefing (Visa).	Preparing for the flight.
17	Trip	Visit organization and learn