What's Happening

With the desire to understand more about the Asian business landscape and the cultural diversity of Hong Kong respectively, two MIMT students, Maurits de Cler and Ivaylo Leonkev (Class of 2019), spanned the globe to join the HKUST MIMT program, through which they not only gained to know how to analyse the unique Asian business practices, but also developed useful soft skills and peer network. Starting their journey at the MIMT program with varied motivations, Maurits and Ivaylo both achieved their goals at the end and have been well-equipped for the challenges in the real business world.

Always curious about how to solve the world issues creatively, Maurits de Cler pursued postgraduate studies at the HKUST MSc in International Management (MIMT) program, which provided him with a broad and strategical business perspective, paving the way to his current career at the innovative tech giant Google as an Account Manager.

Maurits always loves challenging himself for the best answer to solve issues on earth. Possessing a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance in his home town, the Netherlands, he was determined to expand his exposure further on the other side of the globe. By undertaking the MIMT program at HKUST, he gained further opportunities to know about business from the Asian perspective, build an Asian network and go on an exchange through which he could explore more about the world.

With the determination to sharpen his soft skills and understanding of the Asian business practices through this program, Maurits made good use of the ample opportunities to discuss with and learn from the great faculty, bright classmates of various nationalities, and CEMS’ prominent corporate partners. Having seized the chance to become the Vice President – Events of CEMS CLUB Hong Kong, he organized various extra-curricular activities for both current home and exchange-in students at the University to enrich students’ lives and create bonding within the CEMS cohort.

One would be fascinated with Maurits’ knowledge, experience and can-do, flexible mindset, so does Google. Maurits had successfully secured an internship opportunity with Google before graduation, and later on landed his current role as an Account Manager at the Global Business Organization department in Google Ireland office. With the valuable business exposure and networks he developed at the MIMT program, Maurits is excited to apply what he has learned in the rapidly evolving digital world.

Born in Bulgaria and attending high school in the U.K., Ivaylo has long learned about the vibrant and dynamic lives of Hong Kong from his schoolmates. His fascination with the city grew over time and in 2018, he decided to join the MIMT program and stay in Hong Kong as a “real” local.

Ivaylo started his “localisation” by staying with his native Hong Kong friend for one whole month in Yuen Long, a suburb located in the north-western part of Hong Kong, where he could mingle with local Chinese neighbourhood and experience the traditional village culture. With a fondness for exploring different parts of Hong Kong in his spare time, he was completely amazed by the diversity of Hong Kong, where metropolitan city life, natural landscape and traditional Chinese culture mix so well.

Likewise, Ivaylo saw a great balance of academic studies and career preparation in the HKUST MIMT program. At HKUST, a professional team of career consultants is dedicated to helping students develop their careers through individual coaching sessions and enrichment training sessions. Ivaylo appreciated and treasured every opportunity by actively participating in different seminars and enrichment activities organized by renowned industry practitioners including Ericsson and Hilti.

Apart from career skills, Ivaylo also gained in-depth knowledge on how to manage business across Asia and China from MIMT courses and exchange at Tsinghua University. By utilizing the knowledge and skillsets he learned from the courses, Ivaylo was able to evaluate various business figures and offer professional analysis on market potential and corporate strategy based on the unique Asian business landscape. His business insights were also remarkably recognized in his graduation project relating to Hilti’s digital channels in the Northern Asian market.

From a traveller with a mere interest in Hong Kong culture to a business professional specialised in the Asian market, after joining the MIMT program, Ivaylo has now opened a door to further success ahead in the Greater Asia region and beyond.

Regardless of whether their motivations of joining the HKUST MIMT program are to challenge themselves and broaden their understanding towards Asian business practices or to gain international exposure and experience the cultural diversity of Hong Kong, our MIMT students have gained more than expected from the program in terms of business knowledge and career development. Their journey in the MIMT program was ended; yet, their international career has just begun.