“I find finance very exciting. It's a combination
of logic and human nature. You can't hide in
finance – people's personalities always come
out – some are greedy, some prudent, others
foolish. You need to use money wisely,
otherwise you can be controlled by it.”

Hong Kong's position as a leading financial hub is a pivotal part of its worldwide success. As the new Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics, Professor Eric C. Chang, Quoin Professor in Finance, sees his role as one of pursuing and maintaining excellence in the field of business, economics and finance, so that HKU can continue to impact on the economic development of Hong Kong and Mainland China.

"HKU is fortunate in attracting excellent students," says Professor Chang, "I see my role as ensuring the faculty brings out the full potential of these excellent students. HKU has traditionally made a great contribution to Hong Kong and to China. In the academic sense new ideas and innovations are critical, but we also hope to contribute in a practical way to the economic development of Hong Kong and China, as well as to ensure Hong Kong keeps its leading edge as a financial centre."

Professor Chang, who has been at HKU since 1998, also emphasizes the importance of the university's role in China at this crucial time in Mainland's development. "We have set up an IMBA programme in Shanghai in partnership with Fudan University which now has more than 200 students every year. We have a strong alumni base there now," he says. "Shanghai has the potential to become China's financial centre and we are a part of that."

He feels that while China and Taiwan are producing good scientists and engineers, good business professionals are still in short supply. "China needs to develop better business leaders and managers," he says. "Modern administrative and management ideas have not been fully adopted, so while China's economy is booming in many ways, it needs world-class visionary leaders and executives to rise to the challenges."

During his tenure, he also plans to get community leaders more involved in the faculty. "There are many exciting ways they could associate with us," he says. "Scholarships, internships, meaningful events for instance. They could donate funds to attract international scholars to the faculty. I want to ask them to give their time and/or influence to support educational endeavours."

Taiwan origins

Born in Taiwan to parents who, like many others, had fled there from China in 1949, Professor Chang graduated from college and did two years military service, before embarking on an MBA. After just one year though, he decided to move to the US on a scholarship and to switch from his initial interest in civil engineering to management. For his PhD he switched to finance, an area that fascinated him – and still does.

"I find finance very exciting," he says. "It's a combination of logic and human nature. You can't hide in finance – people's personalities always come out – some are greedy, some prudent, others foolish. You need to use money wisely, otherwise you can be controlled by it."

He stayed in the US for 20 years, frequently moving – each of his three daughters was born in a different American city. His achievements there included holding the prestigious position of INVESCO Chair Professor of International Finance at Georgia Institute of Technology and two years in Washington DC at the Commodities Futures Trading Commission of the United States, a regulatory body for futures and derivative securities.

His daughters are still in the US. The eldest Christina is a Chartered Financial Analyst. "I helped her study for her exams," says Professor Chang. "For her Level 2 exams I took a week off and tutored her. We both enjoyed it. I encouraged her to see her strengths and explore her intellectual ability."

As an educator – as well as father – he strongly believes, in helping people realize their full potential. His two younger daughters are also pursuing interesting careers: the middle one, Sarah, did a degree in economics, but then decided her real love was in the medical field, so switched to pharmacy. The youngest Heidi studied bio-medical engineering and is now in her final year at medical school.

Professor Chang and his wife, whom he met in Taiwan when she was doing a degree in chemistry, loved living in the US and had what he describes as 'a comfortable life'. But he found himself increasingly fascinated by the exciting economic developments in Asia. "What was going on over here was very interesting, particularly the rise of China. We decided to return and to make a contribution."

Church Elder

A devoted Christian since the age of 15, Professor Chang's life outside of work and family is devoted to the Hong Kong Mandarin Bible Church, the city's only purely Putonghua-speaking Christian church. He and a few friends are the founding members of the Church, which started in 1995 and is based in North Point. He is now an Elder of the Church, whose congregation now totals 700. "I occasionally preach the service and teach in the Sunday School," says Professor Chang. "But my most important role as an Elder is to set the direction."

Reflecting on his life, Professor Chang says, "I feel very blessed . . . in my family, my Church and my career. Education is an exciting career – you have an impact on people."

Asked what he considers his greatest achievement, he chooses neither career nor Church, but family: "My greatest achievement is that my daughters enjoy talking to me," he says, smiling. "When we get together we talk for hours. I'm very proud of that."