Farewell (Dr. Ye Chenghui) – EJ Tech

AuthorYe ChenghuiHe is the CEO of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute and writes a column for EJ Tech.

Two and a half years ago, I started to set up a “CEO Column” in different media, writing an article every week, sometimes discussing technological development, sometimes talking about management policies, and sometimes sharing mainland and overseas experiences. Many friends asked me if I really wrote it myself, as my daily work is so heavy? The answer is that I did write it myself, of course, there were also people who helped to correct typos and omissions before publication. I usually spend about 25 minutes in the evening to draft the article, and try to make the content simple and easy to understand, increase the readability of the article, and make it easier for readers to understand.

There are actually two main reasons why I write columns. First, promoting the development of applied technology in Hong Kong and accelerating Hong Kong’s transformation into an international innovation and technology center is one of ASTRI’s work targets. Second, I really like writing. I still remember that a few years ago, I spent more than a month writing the book “How to Send Your Child to Ivy League School”, summarizing the application process and sharing my experience. Now, my children have grown up and are working in society. Some time ago, I wanted to write another book “Why Hong Kong Parents Need to Encourage Their Children to Study Technology”, but I was busy and some people thought that publishing another book seemed too individualistic, so I put it aside for the time being. Maybe one day I will publish a new book and share what I have seen and heard with everyone!

My previous jobs were full of challenges and changes. I worked for IBM in the United States and Hong Kong. I was one of the first people willing to return to my motherland to work. I became the youngest president of EMC Greater China at the time, and then served as CEO of two private enterprises in the Mainland. Later, I decided to return to Hong Kong and served as the Belt and Road Commissioner of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, and then came to ASTRI as CEO. Every time I change, I think of the duet “Farewell” by Alan Tam and Anna Lui. Maybe the younger generation doesn’t know this song. There is a line in the lyrics that says “Even if we have to separate today, we must meet again in the end”, which I particularly like.

Recently, more than 100 summer interns graduated from ASTRI. At the graduation ceremony, a student asked me what I thought about the direction after the internship. I said that there are many different stages in life, but your generation is much happier than ours, because no matter where in the world the friends you met during the internship are, it is easy to contact them through social media now. Friends are forever, and it is a pleasure to have coffee and chat with friends you met at different stages of life.

I also told a group of interns not to plan too far ahead. Some students are already thinking about how to use their inventions to start a business after graduation, and then go public three years later; some students plan to work in finance first, get a good salary, and then work for a large company, and be promoted to financial director five years later. In fact, I think it is enough to plan for the next three years, because opportunities are everywhere. When opportunities come and are different from your plans, it will make you hesitant. Of course, some young people now choose to “lay flat” and have no ideas or plans at all. This is actually not good, because the next three years should be what they can see and plan for.

I was also asked about finding a job. Our interns come from all over the world, and I think it is important to decide where they like to work, because it is difficult for us to set our goals globally, so whether they want to develop in the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Shanghai or Hong Kong is a key question. Of course, I eventually persuaded them to come to Hong Kong to find a job because it is more globalized and has a lower tax rate. I also told the interns to contact me if they need help finding a job in Hong Kong.

Having said that, I will temporarily bid farewell to my weekly column. I will continue to share my thoughts and insights with you on various social media. Welcome readers to continue to pay attention to my movements. Maybe I will recognize you and say hello to each other at the book signing event next time! I still remember that when I left EMC, my good colleagues who had worked with me for 11 years held a grand farewell party for me with the theme of “Goodbye Jianghu”. Here I also say “Goodbye Jianghu” to you all!

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