#234 HKUST MBA Program & Admissions Interview with Stephen Shih

Apr 1, 2026

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The HKUST MBA has been one of Asia's top-ranked MBAs for many years - the Financial Times has ranked it top 25 globally 15 times. But, what is it actually like to study there?

Stephen Shih, Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School and a former Partner at Bain & Company, shares what makes the HKUST MBA unique. We cover Hong Kong's strategic importance, the benefits of studying at a renowned science and technology university, HKUST's flexible curriculum, and the differences between the 12 and 16-month program options. Stephen also shares his views on AI's impact on MBA careers, what employers are prioritizing, and what the HKUST admissions team actually looks for beyond GMAT scores.

Program Highlights - What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique?

Introduction (0:00)
What Makes the HKUST MBA Unique? (8:25)
How HKUST is "Future-Proofing" its MBA as AI Reshapes Business (13:20)
Why Hong Kong for Your MBA (20:00)
HKUST MBA's 12 and 16-Month Course Structure (22:45)
HKUST MBA's Student & Learning Culture (25:00)

HKUST MBA Admissions & Scholarships - How to Improve Your Chances?

What HKUST MBA Looks for from Applicants (27:00)
Post-MBA Goals (29:00)
Interviews (31:05)
GMAT/GRE Scores (32:15)
Stephen's Final Application Tips (35:50)
How HKUST MBA Admissions Views Scholarships & How Applicants Can Win Funding (37:35)

Career Opportunities at HKUST - What to Know & How to Prepare

How to Leverage HKUST's Career Resources to Land Post-MBA Jobs (40:30)
HKUST Industry Placements & Resources for Entrepreneurs (45:45)
What Applicants Need to Know about Landing Jobs in Hong Kong, China & Asia-Pacific (51:00)
Maximizing ROI at the HKUST MBA (52:15)

About Our Guest

Stephen Shih is the Associate Dean of MBA Programs at HKUST Business School. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Learning & Development at Bain & Company in Shanghai, China. Stephen served as Head of MBA Career Services and Corporate Relations at HKUST from 2010-11 before returning to Bain & Company as a Partner and leading its organization practice in Asia-Pacific. Stephen majored in Economics at Princeton University and got his MBA from UCLA Anderson.

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