UBS and the University of Hong Kong successfully complete second year of the Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme

Hong Kong, 24 September 2024 – UBS is pleased to announce the successful completion of the second "University of Hong Kong - UBS Sustainable and Social Innovation Leadership Programme" (HKU-UBS SSILP). This year’s programme extended to the Greater Bay Area, with the goal of enhancing the Non-Profit Ecosystem in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, this year’s programme welcomed 28 participants from Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) and social enterprises, including five NPO leaders from Mainland China. Our champions also included a charitable project from the Greater Bay Area.

After an intense day of pitch meetings, the panel judges selected two winning projects from a total of 27 innovative and impactful projects presented. The two UBS Champions will each be awarded HK$400,000 incubation funding to develop and implement their charitable projects. The winners are:

• “Emotionland” - Oi Ying Siu from Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service (Registered NGO in Hong Kong)

A children’s mental health education project that aims to raise primary P.4 – P.6 students’ understanding of mental health and reduce the risk of suffering from mental illness. The goals will be met by 1) providing gamified interactive exhibits and supportive groups, 2) developing children-friendly interactive educational materials, 3) collaborating with an established eMental health platform to provide self-assessment tools and online resources for children and parents to use in the long run. The project targets to serve 10 primary schools, reaching a total of 2040 children and parents. It is expected that children’s mental health literacy will be raised, and early prevention and intervention could be made possible.

• “Transforming breast cancer screening in China through social innovation” – Dr Luxi Zhang from SZMG Charity Foundation (Charitable Institution in China with 5A rating)

This project aims to make reliable breast cancer screening available, accessible, and affordable to women in China through social innovation, integrating cutting-edge technologies (“3D” ultrasound + AI + Telemedicine) and in partnership with the establishment of temporary screening stations outside hospitals. The proposal plans to launch a pilot study offering free screenings to 3,000 women at 15 different locations across Shenzhen over five months, followed by an evaluation conducted by a panel of cross-sector experts. This innovative screening strategy is expected to increase the early cancer detection rate by 4-fold and ultimately improve patient survival while reducing the screening costs by 15%

In addition, the audience also cast their votes for the Audience Choice awards winners:

• “Shall We Talk” by Roberto Tak Hong Law from Fu Hong Society (Registered NGO)

Many caregivers of people with disabilities, working either full-time or part-time, are vulnerable to mental health issues. This pilot project aims to cultivate a compassionate community by providing emotional support for this group of “beneficiaries”. Retired disability caregivers are considered ideal “companions” for these "beneficiaries” due to their increased free time and vicarious experience. Through training by mental health professionals, the companions can gain the knowledge and skills needed to support the beneficiaries. The companions who have demonstrated satisfactory commitment will be invited to form a committee, managing the administrative work and training for future groups, ensuring the project’s sustainability.

• Dr. Luxi Zhang, who is one of the Champions, also won the Audience Choice award.

Co-organized by UBS and the Department of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the SSILP is a unique multidisciplinary training and mentoring initiative that aims to develop leadership skills, business acumen, and social innovation concepts among current and new NPO leaders, showcasing practical plans that make a social impact. The programme brings together corporate leaders, NPOs, non-government organizations (NGOs), and academia, with a mission to build the capacity and competence of current and future NPO leaders.

Commenting on the successful completion of this year’s program, Professor Amy Y. M. Chow, Co-Director of HKU-UBS SSILP, Head of Department and Si Yuan Professor in Health and Social Work, Department of Social Work and Social Administration of HKU, said, "Together with UBS, we strive to enhance NPO leaders’ competence and capacity through a structured curriculum, while also providing a platform for networking among participants, trainers, and mentors who share a passion for the non-profit sector. Our ultimate goal is to incubate innovative and sustainable social projects and collaborations. This programme demonstrates the significant positive impact generated through collaboration between academia and the commercial sector in cultivating future non-profit leaders.”
In the past six months, 18 mentors from UBS management and experienced NPO practitioners, along with 16 academics and industry subject experts conducted 9 lectures and various mentorship interactions with the 28 participating NPO leaders, covering various important themes, including strategic thinking, organizational culture and inclusive leadership, cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based decision-making and social innovation.

The 12 UBS mentors are senior leaders across divisions of the bank who coach NPO leaders on high-level strategy-making, resource management and pitching skills.

Rob Stewart, Head Corporate Communications, Asia Pacific at UBS and Steering Committee member of the SSILP said: “The HKU-UBS SSILP was initiated out of a passion for making a positive impact in the non-profit sector and giving back to the community. The programme aims to bridge the gaps between NPOs and the corporate world by connecting NGO leaders with UBS employees who have expertise in finance, law, HR, marketing, and communications through a mentorship scheme. This mentorship not only enriches the non-profits but also allows our staff to give back meaningfully. And through an extensive alumni network, we facilitate the sharing of best practices and sustainable strategies, empowering NPO leaders to learn from one another, thereby scaling the impact of the programme.”

UBS has been a leader in cross-sector training collaboration projects between corporations and NPOs, successfully mentoring nearly 250 NPO leaders in Hong Kong since 2015 and has formed an active alumni network to foster interaction and collaboration opportunities.

Since 2023, the HKU-UBS SSILP has connected 58 leaders across the NPOs, sharing proposals of innovative and impactful projects. Several of the projects have now been funded and are benefiting a range of different communities.

“The programme has received positive feedback from the participants, and so I am confident that the HKU-UBS SSILP will continue on its unique journey to strengthen ties between academia, corporates and the non-profit sector. Together, we can create a more cohesive approach to social change and make a lasting impact in Hong Kong and beyond, especially in the Greater Bay Area,” Mr Stewart said.