On 21 November 2025, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) successfully held The Outstanding SME ESG and Business Performance Awards 2025 (Award) Presentation Ceremony on campus. Organised by the HSUHK School of Business and the Start-up and SME Resource Centre (SSRC), the Award recognises small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that demonstrate excellence in business performance while effectively integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices into daily operations to achieve sustainable growth. This year, a total of 23 SMEs were honoured, with 7 companies receiving “The Outstanding SME ESG Product Award” and 16 companies receiving the “The Outstanding SME ESG Service Award.”
HSUHK President Professor Simon Ho officiated the ceremony and congratulated the awardees for their achievements. In his welcome remarks, he emphasised that HSUHK is committed to nurturing responsible business leaders, stressing that while companies pursue profit and performance, they also have the responsibilities towards shareholders, employees, society, and the environment. Professor Ho highlighted that ESG is about creating shared value beyond profit and noted that SMEs require flexible strategies and adequate support to enhance sustainability. He also expressed his gratitude to Dr Bernard Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government, for serving as the Guest of Honour, and thanked the Organising Committee, judging panel, and supporting organisations.
Guest of Honour Dr Bernard Chan, JP, commended HSUHK and SSRC for advancing ESG education and raising public awareness. He noted that a secure and stable business environment, transparent corporate governance, and a harmonious society are crucial to attracting enterprises and investors from around the world to Hong Kong. Dr Chan encouraged SMEs to continue strengthening ESG performance and contributing to Hong Kong’s economic and social development.
Professor Joshua Mok, Provost and Vice-President (Academic & Research), praised SMEs for remaining resilient and committed amid a challenging business environment. He emphasised that driving economic growth requires collaboration between government, academia, and the business sector, and highlighted SMEs as a key driver of Hong Kong’s economic vitality. Professor Mok added that HSUHK values experiential learning and is committed to nurturing students with both professional competence and social awareness, while promoting knowledge transfer and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Dr Lian Chan, Member of SSRC Advisory Committee, Chair of the Organising Committee, and member of the judging panel, shared the judging principles and objectives. She stated that beyond recognising achievements, the Award aims to facilitate learning and knowledge exchange, enabling SMEs to implement ESG practices effectively despite limited resources, thereby creating long-term value. She expressed delight at the awardees’ tangible achievements and encouraged them to continue progressing in the future.
The event received strong support from numerous professional and statutory bodies, including (in no particular order): The Hong Kong Business Ethics Development Centre, The Hong Kong Red Cross, Occupational Safety & Health Council, Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, Equal Opportunities Commission, Business Environment Council, Hong Kong Small & Medium Enterprises Association, Hong Kong Registered Contractors Association, SME Sustainability Society, Hong Kong General Chamber of Small and Medium Business, Chief Happiness Officer Association, Hong Kong General Chamber of Social Enterprises, SME Global Alliance, and Hong Kong SME Development Federation, demonstrating the credibility and representativeness of the Awards.
The ceremony was further graced with distinguished business and academic leaders as award presenters, including Professor Jeanne Fu, Vice-President (Learning and Student Experience); Dr Josiah Chan, Vice-President (Organisational Development); Ms Antonia Yeung, Associate Vice-President (Development and Campus Services); Ms Melanie Kwok, Deputy General Manager (Sustainability) and Head of Sustainability, Sino Group; Ms Veronica Sze, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Nestlé Hong Kong; and Ms Judy Ho, Sustainability Manager, Swire Coca-Cola HK, who celebrated the awardees’ achievements.
Dr John Leung, Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Exchange), Director of the Institute of Knowledge Exchange, and Chief Adjudicator of the Award, presented certificates of appreciation to the three business-sector award presenters on behalf of the University.
In closing, Professor Jeanne Fu thanked all partners, guests, and participating teams, and congratulated the award-winning SMEs for successfully embedding ESG considerations into their strategic planning, thereby driving business growth while shaping a better future for the next generation. She noted that HSUHK will continue to strengthen collaboration between students and industry through various interdisciplinary platforms, including the Research Centre for ESG, Institute for Youth Sustainability Leadership, and SSRC, to nurture the next generation of purpose-driven business leaders.
HSUHK looks forward to continuing to unite government, academia, industry, and the community to support SME sustainable development and drive positive social impact in future editions of the Awards.
