Last week, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) launched the “Future Business Leaders Program (iLEAP).” The launch ceremony was organized by the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IE-School) and the SUSTech Education Foundation (SUSTCEF). The event was hosted by Academician Liu Ke, Dean of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Director Wang Susheng of the Office of Planning and Development briefed the audience about SUSTech’s unique features. He hoped that iLEAP, with the support of all walks of life, would continue to deliver outstanding entrepreneurial talents for the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Founding partner of Green Pine Capital Luo Fei said that Green Pine Capital’s business philosophy is highly compatible with SUSTech’s spiritual pillars of “Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.” He hoped that everyone would be able to work together to create a new peak for China’s innovation and entrepreneurship education.

Subsequently, SUSTCEF Secretary-General Tu Ronghui and Luo Fei signed a donation agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. Dean Liu Ke joined Luo Fei in jointly unveiling iLEAP. Dean Liu Ke also appointed Academician Zhao Wenzhi and former HKUST vice president Otto Chui Chau Lin as distinguished iLEAP tutors.

Following the unveiling of iLEAP, Zhao Wenzhi talked about “World Oil, Gas and Energy.” Otto Chui Chau Lin and Luo Fei were joined by Director of China Affairs at HEC Paris Xu Ying and other guests, in sharing their views on the essential qualities of entrepreneurs, necessary capital assistance for technological innovation, and the fundamental integration of talented individuals and technology.

iLEAP is the program co-initiated by IE-School and HEC Paris, with the support of Green Pine Capital. The program aims to create a high-tech, top quality pipeline of entrepreneurial talent. It will provide a one-stop, multi-faceted and full-cycle entrepreneurial education and landing services for cutting-edge science and technology. The program will last for 18 months.

It is aimed at three categories of candidates:

• Young returnees, who constitute a second generation of family business owners;
• Chinese engineers and scientists returning from studying abroad and who are in the process of starting their own businesses; and
• Well-established young entrepreneurs in South China .

They will rely on the scientific research strength of SUSTech, by integrating top educational philosophies from business schools in mainland China and around the world. It is committed to cultivating a new generation of business leaders based in the GBA and improving the world.