India is home to the third largest group of GMAT-sitters behind the US and China. And Indians are increasingly looking to MBA programs within Asia over courses in Europe and the US."Asia is becoming the global economic powerhouse, and Hong Kong is its de facto financial center, making it the perfect location for an MBA student", says Varun Magoon, an MBA student at Hong Kong’s CUHK Business School.
Part of a burgeoning generation of Indian MBAs, Varun is laying solid foundations for a career in Asia. He boasts a wealth of experience in technical and consulting roles, having worked as an engineer for The Toyota Group and a strategy consultant for KPMG.
For Varun, CUHK was the perfect option, a top Asian school recommended to him by several successful Indian alumni. And he also secured the CUHK MBA Excellence Scholarship.
Why did you decide to do an MBA at CUHK?
I’m an engineer by profession, but I wanted to progress into management consulting and corporate leadership roles.
I also knew that I wanted to continue working in Asia after my MBA, and the one-year format at CUHK was very appealing, considering most Indian and American programs are two years long.
CUHK also offered me the opportunity to study an extra four months abroad after that year, which I'm looking forward to. Finally, Hong Kong offers many leadership development programs, which I hope to secure a place on.
What should prospective applicants take into account when deciding on an MBA?
You really need to take a step back and consider why you personally want to pursue an MBA. The best strategy is to consider where you want to be five years from now with regards to location, industry and role, and choose the program most likely to help you realize those dreams.
In my opinion, the alumni network is really important for applicants as well. You’re buying into an exclusive club with an MBA, so you want to make sure it’s the best one possible. Finally, especially if you didn’t grow up abroad, you should make the effort to connect with as many international students on your course as possible.
Do you feel that your KPMG consulting experience aided your application?
Most certainly. Having come from an engineering background, being able to work on corporate strategy and liaising with clients was very useful, as it prepared me for various aspects of the MBA and ensured that I had a better cross-section of work experience.
On balance, I think the experience I gained was more important than the KPMG brand name was, but I can’t deny that it looks good on a CV.
How has your scholarship at CUHK benefited you?
The scholarship covers 30% of my tuition fee and is bestowed on the basis of academic performance, professional and personal accomplishments, and international working experience.
Any MBA is a huge investment, so my scholarship does a great deal in easing the financial burden on my shoulders. However, I also consider it a confidence boost, as recognition for my previous achievements has made me feel more valued by the school.
How have you gained from your MBA experience so far?
At CUHK, our faculty was largely international. Learning about financial markets from an American, operations management from a Greek, and so on, gave me a well-rounded view of global business.
My class was very international as well, so I learned a great deal from their perspectives. I also had the amazing opportunity to participate in a case competition at SDA Bocconi through CUHK, in which I competed with top MBA students from other schools, and was able to put what theory I had learned into practice.
What is the highlight of your CUHK MBA experience so far?
At the end of the CUHK MBA, you’re offered the opportunity to work as an external consultant for a partner company here in Hong Kong.
They call this module a ‘live project’, and I chose to do mine with IDG Capital Partners. It’s been a great opportunity for me because I’ve made some excellent contacts, and one of their executives is a CUHK alumnus. I’ve gained a comprehensive overview of private equity and venture capital, and I’ve learned a lot about business valuation.
It’s a fantastic opportunity that I’d recommend to anyone studying at CUHK.
What are your plans for the future?
Straight after finishing my studies at CUHK, I’m heading to America for four months to complete my MBA at The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, with a focus on strategy and operations over the term.
Apart from that, I’m doing an internship this summer with Gap Inc. in Hong Kong, which I hope will result in a place on their two-year MBA rotational leadership development program.
Student Reviews
One of a kind
I studied Bioinformatics at CUHK last year. It was the only Master's degree in Hong Kong in this field. This program developed my analytical skills and equipped me to be a Bioinformatician in a very practical way.
I enjoyed my year here and met classmates from different parts of the world. If you are thinking to enhance your profile, this degree program would be a good option.
general education courses, unique college system, large campus
The university facilitates multi-dimension and interdisciplinary learning. In social science faculty, we need to choose courses as our faculty package from other departments (architecture, psychology, sociology, etc.) to learn more than our major required courses. We are also required to finish general education courses, which aid our critical thinking and humanistic sensibilities. I do recommend the social science broad-based program, and the professors I met so far are all responsible and erudite.
LLM
The faculty of law is relatively new. You do not need to have a LLB to pursue a LLM, which is special. The taught programme is great for mature students who want to obtain legal knowledge.
CUHK has good teaching staff too.
Amazing Campus and Great Educational Environment
Not only is CUHK's main campus breathtaking, it provides for a good educational environment for students. The university is well-equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities to help students with their study. We have 8 libraries in total around the campus; one for media, one for architectural studies, the medical library and the law library. The Professors are always helpful and are happy to talk to students when needed.
Moreover, the college system within the university brings forth the uniqueness of CUHK. Each student belongs to a different college, and in that students are able to meet different peoples from different countries and students from different faculties.
I think CUHK provides for a well-rounded university life for all students.
exthrillating
One of the most down to earth places in HK. A great opportunity to learn and embody the local culture. Also had one the most beautiful campus in Hong Kong up on the hillside. Glad to have graduated here.
Innovative and Supportive
My university provided me with all the support I needed, and encouraged me to be up to date with all the new developments in the world. They also provided me with the incentive to excel at what I do, and they take much pride in my achievements. I have had a very rewarding university experience.
Small, New But Friendly Law School
To being with, I think the campus of CUHK is the best and the biggest in Hong Kong, with fresh air and trees everywhere.
I am an undergraduate Law student at CUHK and I think the teaching here is great, with very friendly and nice professors and the new Lee Shau Kee Building.
In terms of the courses offered by CUHK, as one of the largest universities in Hong Kong, CUHK is an all-rounded university, offering a wide range of courses to students. Students may take the introductory courses of discipline other than their own major, or even declare a minor.
For law electives, due to the small amount of intake, the variety of law electives are not that huge. However, the Faculty is offering some international programmes, which can be treated as law electives, but at the same time, provide us with an opportunity to travel and know more about the legal system of another country.
The career support from the Faculty of Law is also amazing. The Faculty will organise CV Sessions and talks on how to get an internship from law firms or mini-pupillage from barrister's chambers. Each student will also have a Distinguished Professional Mentor, which is a current legal profession, providing us with practical advices and updates of the legal field.
Finally, from my personal experience, I think the students in CUHK are friendly and genuine. As Law students, competition is inevitable for grades, GPAs, vacation schemes and training contract. However, I think the competition in CUHK Law School is a positive one, in a sense that help us grow together, instead of fighting with each other no matter what. That is the biggest reason why I am having a very good time here in CUHK Law School.
A place to explore your interests
As a law graduate from CUHK (both undergrad and post-grad), I realise that I had many opportunities to explore my areas of interests (legal and non-legal both). The faculty/university requires us to take a certain number of non-law electives, and offers a plethora of courses to choose from. Personally, I took 3 modules in Korean --I can't say it's made me highly proficient, but it's definitely given me a good foundation (I can walk into a Korean restaurant and confidently order food, at the very least). The fact that language courses are offered also provides students who are more financially constrained an opportunity to learn a language without having to shell out a premium for a decent language course. On top of that, we have a range of law electives as well. I know of classmates who have developed lasting interest in different areas of law because of the electives they took in school. The two electives that I would say have changed me is (i) mooting and (ii) family law. I think my experience in an international commercial arbitration moot competition has helped tremendously in formulating legal arguments and legal writing. On the other hand, taking a family law elective has made me very interested in the family law practice, especially in terms of child rights. For these experiences which I have gained, I'm grateful for the opportunities provided by the school.
One main issue most students I know have is with the way our GPA is calculated and the lack of transparency in terms of how the honours system works. As our GPA is marked on a curve. it's highly unrepresentative of what we have achieved as individuals. Given that our GPA is the only criteria that is looked at when we apply for the compulsory post-graduate law course (mandatory should we want to practise law and/or be trainees in Hong Kong), it will put our own students at a distinct disadvantage when we compete for limited spaces with students from schools where GPA is not on a bell curve.
Valuable time in CUHK
I like the learning environment and people at CUHK. Surrounded by hills and Tolo Harbour, CUHK provides a balance between nature and hustle. You can always escape from the busy study life and meet your friend around the big campus for different activities.
