This High Table Dinner was specifically for Year One DBM students, and was the second high table dinner in the new hall at the Jintong Road campus. The night started with a speech by Dean of DBM, Stella Cho, after the students filed into the hall.

The president of UIC, Prof Ching-Fai Ng, poses with Mr Yuan and High Table staff members

Students are greeted as they enter the hall

Prof Stella Cho said that "The high table dinner is a proud tradition at UIC. It provides an opportunity for students to network and make friends. I am happy to welcome 160 students here tonight to celebrate with us." Afterwards, she introduced Mr Yuan Shuai, who would be doing his second talk of the day, but this time on the topic “From investment banking to private equity".

Mr Yuan shared his practical experience of investment banking and private equity, having worked in both fields before starting his company. He started his talk by discussing how investment banking is the “sell side” while private equity is the “buy side” of banking.

According to Mr Yuan, investment banking has four categories of tasks: research and analysis, monitoring finances, client assistance, and pitch books. He concluded that most of the job of an investment banker is to help clients understand their finances better.

He then contrasted how investment banking is different from private equity, which entails: research and analysis, investments, investor relations and portfolio management.

Approximately 160 students attended the High Table Dinner

Mr Yuan recieves a gift from Prof Ng

Mr Yuan explained that even though the fields of banking differ somewhat, the desired qualities of students that want to go into these fields are similar. They include: technical ability, results orientation, problem solving, personal effectiveness, communication and teamwork.

Mr Yuan said that "You should show enthusiasm and willingness to take on new tasks". He also mentioned qualifications that will help students to stick out. These include: a strong foundation in math, the ability to work under pressure, to know ‘some’ finance, to know ‘some’ accounting, have relevant internship experience, be very proficient in Excel and PowerPoint, have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and a genuine interest in the financial markets.

His talk was again followed by a Q and A session, with one student relating his two talks, and asking Mr Yuan “Is a spirit of entrepreneurship important to have in a banking job?” He answered that “Yes, it is pretty important, because working as an analyst can incorporate a lot of complicated situations which an entrepreneurial personality can be well equipped to handle. Additionally, having an ownership attitude and working hard to produce top quality work is important.” There were several more questions from students, including asking for advice how to get involved in these fields.

A student plays the Guzheng during the event

Students are eager to ask Mr Yuan questions and for advice

Everyone in the hall joins for a toast before dinner

After the talk, dinner was served, and attendees had much to talk about after such a stimulating speech. Staff and students networked and enjoyed their dinner together, with the event finishing by 8:30 p.m.

DBM had a successful first day of their inauguration celebration events, with some still to come including an exhibition of student and faculty projects and research from 4 to 9 December as well as the opening of the new QP Resource Centre and a Luncheon forum on 9 December.

Reporter: Samantha Burns
Photographers: Ivy Liao, Samantha Burns, Yilun Liu (Year 1, IJ)
Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He
(from MPRO)