#learningwithoutboundaries

Four students in Dual Degree Program in Technology and Management (T&M-DDP) were invited to attend the forum “Israel- Hong Kong: Women-to-Women Bridge” on May 31, 2019. The event was held by The Consulate General of Israel in Hong Kong and Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Three panel discussions on innovation & technology, medical sciences and finance & economy served as a platform to connect generations of women and men from Israel and Hong Kong to celebrate, and be inspired and empowered by female, and to further enhance the economic, educational and cultural ties between Israel and Hong Kong.

Mrs. Carrie LAM, Chief Executive of Hong Kong S.A.R. gave a keynote address at the forum. From first female Chief Executive of Hong Kong SAR, the first woman chairman in the long history of Hong Kong Stock Exchange, to the first two female eminent judges appointed as non-permanent judges to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, Mrs. Lam was thrilled to witness these historic moments. She said that education and training are essential to empowering women to fully participate, and at the highest levels, in business and society. “Women now represent 54 per cent of students enrolled in Hong Kong undergraduate programs funded by our University Grants Committee. The percentage of female students studying in traditionally male-dominated disciplines is also increasing. Among our engineering and technology majors, the percentage of female students has risen from 14 per cent two decades ago to some 30 per cent today. “Promoting gender equality, creating an enabling environment for women, is critical to the sustainable development of our economy.” proudly said by Mrs. LAM. Israel is an international leader in innovation and technology development, a high-tech role model for Hong Kong and for the world. Mrs. LAM added that HKSAR Government was committed to Hong Kong's rise as an innovation and technology leader, Hong Kong shared Israeli spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, and could be an ideal partner for Israeli companies looking to expand their presence in the Mainland and throughout Asia.”

Throughout the 71 years since the establishment of the State of Israel, the people of Israel have transformed an agricultural society into a start-up nation, and women have been playing a significant part in its development and growth. At the forum, five outstanding Israeli women [Ms. Esther Barak-Landes (Founder of Nielsen Innovate Fund & Incubator & President, ProWomen) ,Ms. Yali Harari (Chief Executive Officer of Innovesta Technologies), Prof. Mouna Maroun (Former Head of Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa), Prof. Michal Schwartz (Professorial Chair in Neuroimmunology, Weizmann Institute of Science) & Dr. Nadine Baudot-Trajtenberg (Former Deputy Governor of Bank of Israel)], each expert in their own fields of technology development and entrepreneurship, medical sciences, and finance and economy shared their experience and breakthrough in their career.

The forum was inspiring and memorable to Emily WUU, one of the participants from T&M-DDP. She shared “It really encouraged me to follow my heart and be faithful in myself as a woman to take responsibility in the society. I was impressed by the discussion of several women in the technology field. They mentioned that discriminations do exist at work. Sometimes it might even be in the way that we don't discern. As women, we should show strong determination and faith in order to stand against discrimination.”