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ESG &
Social Innovation

At CKGSB, we aim to facilitate social innovation and ESG to foster responsible business leaders who can solve humanity’s most challenging problems.

By advancing collaboration among businesses, governments, multilateral institutions, non-profit organizations, and civil society, we aspire to drive:

  • Philanthropy and charity
  • Corporate social responsibility and ESG
  • The developmental work of governmental, non-profit and international organizations

CKGSB’s Unique Approach to
Social Innovation

1.0

In 2005, we pioneered the incorporation of the humanities into core business curricula to give students a more holistic view of business.

2.0

In 2002, we set up the EMBA philanthropy scholarships in 2002, now awarded across all of our degree programs to outstanding civil society and NGO leaders.

Since 2010, all degree students have been required to engage in philanthropic service in order to graduate.

3.0

CKGSB began offering social innovation as an elective module for EMBA and MBA students in 2017 and a required module since 2018.

4.0

We are now working with partners across sectors to develop a global ecosystem for next-generation disruptors that are economically, socially and environmentally responsible, while embracing technological innovation.

CKGSB 2022 ESG and Social Innovation Report

Fostering Social Innovation to Address Humanity’s Challenges

CKGSB Alumni Stories on Social Innovation

Alumna Leads Campaign for Greener Lifestyle in China

May Mei

Former Chief Representative in China for WildAid

How to Ignite Innovation to have Social Impact in Building Materials

Xiaobin Zhao

EdTech Entrepreneur Uses MBA To Widen Access To Education In Africa

Line Ayenew

Founder of Education for Ethiopia

The next generation are much more issue-orientated which I personally think is a great trend.

Brain Gallagher

Former CEO, United Way Worldwide

CKGSB’s Social Innovation Achievements

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CKGSB was awarded as the “2022 Social Organization”, and Zhu Rui, Professor of Marketing, and Director of ESG and Social Innovation Center at CKGSB, was awarded the “2022 Philanthropic Person of the Year” by China Philanthropy Times, a leading public welfare newspaper in China.

In December 2022, CKGSB hosted its eighth edition of the CKGSB Philanthropy Award Ceremony online.

In December 2022, CKGSB published its latest collection of philanthropic case studies, titled 无公益,不长江 (Cases of CKGSB Philanthropy). This publication showcases the charity efforts of the school and its alumni and explores the social value of business schools and corporate social responsibilities.

On Jun 29, 2022, CKGSB’s Ji’an project was selected as “CSR Case of the Year” by ifeng.com at the 2022 Corporate Social Responsibility and Innovation Forum. In 2017, the school initiated a three-project campaign to alleviate poverty in Ji’an, an impoverished district in Jiangxi, China.

On May 27, 2022, CKGSB launched a joint program “长江之源”(Project The Origin of Cheung Kong) with the Shenzhen municipal government to train professionals who work in the public welfare sector.

23 of the top 100 Chinese entrepreneurs named on the 2021 Forbes China Philanthropy list are CKGSB alumni. CKGSB’s alumni contributed 30% of the total 221.7 billion RMB in charitable donations.

5 CKGSB alumni selected for the 2021 Fortune China’s 40-under-40.

8 CKGSB alumni companies recognized as 2021 Forbes China’s 100 Most Innovative Companies.

2 CKGSB alumni selected as 2021 Forbes China’s 50 Women in Tech.

In February 2021, 7 CKGSB alumni were recognized for their role in poverty alleviation by Chinese president Xi Jinping.

In June 2021, CKGSB Executive MBA program launched the ‘Social Innovation and Business for Good’ field course, coaching over 500+ EMBA students in designing and incorporating sustainability into their businesses.

In September 2021, the government announced the 2021 China Charity Awards in Beijing. Nearly 10% of the 130 individuals and companies who made the list for their impressive contributions to poverty alleviation were CKGSB alumni. Moreover, 17% of the 52 selected individuals and companies who demonstrated tremendous strength and charity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic were CKGSB alumni.

In September 2021, CKGSB was honored as a finalist for the United Nation’s 2021 China Social Impact Awards for the “Equality in Education Award,” chosen among more than 200 institutions, for the school’s work with the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee to train MBA professors from universities based in the less developed areas of western China. Thus far, CKGSB has trained more than 400 MBA professors from over 50 universities across 20 underdeveloped provinces in China.

In October 2021, CKGSB collaborates with RED CLUB X Cartier to launch the Inaugural Young Leader Award.

CKGSB partners with UNESCO on developing socially innovative business leaders in Africa.

At beginning of 2020, the CKGSB community came together to gather and provide support for those affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. By April 2020, CKGSB’s student and alumni community raised over $573 million in cash donations and goods.

In 2020, CKGSB established an interdisciplinary partnership with the Graduate Institute, Geneva (GIG) with an emphasis on economic disruptions and social innovation.

In 2020, 21 alumni and 1 professor made the ‘2020 China Philanthropy List’ released by Forbes China.

In 2020, CKGSB partnered with the Møller Institute, Churchill College in the University of Cambridge to jointly launch the Igniting Innovation for Impact program to over 45 global executives.

In May 2020, CKGSB Professor Zhu Rui published her book “Companies of the Future: A Three-step Approach for Sustainable Business”, dissecting the trends in sustainable businesses in China, how companies can incorporate sustainability in their business strategies and why it matters.

In May 2020, two CKGSB professors – Professor of Marketing Zhu Rui and Professor of Strategy and Economics Brian Viard – were recognized by the Financial Times (FT) for their high social impact research. In fact, two of the three contributions from Asian business schools featured on the FT’s list came from CKGSB professors.

In July 2020, CKGSB Founding Dean and Professor of China Business and Globalization, Xiang Bing, was awarded the ‘Vanguard for Social Responsibilities’ by Southern Weekly at its 12th Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Conference, for his commitment to social responsibility and public welfare.

In August 2020, CKGSB publishes a collection of philanthropic case studies, titled 无公益,不长江 (Cases of CKGSB Philanthropy), showcasing the school and its alumni’s efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

In October 2020, Professor Zhu Rui launched a new course on “Exploring Social Innovation from a Global Perspective” and invited guest speakers from universities like Columbia Business School, Stanford University, London Business School and Hitotsubanashi University to share their perspectives and best practices.

In November 2020, CKGSB was granted the “Committee for Good Award” at the 2020 China Social Enterprise and Impact Investment Forum. Professor Zhu Rui was also awarded the “Research for Good Award” in recognition of her book exploring sustainable businesses in China.

In December 2020, CKGSB was named one of the “2020 Top Ten Philanthropic Institutions of the Year” by Phoenix’s iFeng.com.

In December 2020, CKGSB was given the “2020 China Philanthropic Enterprise of the Year” award by the China Philanthropy Times, a well-respected philanthropic journal, published under China’s Ministry of Public Affairs. Dean Xiang Bing was also named the “2020 China Philanthropist of the Year.”

In December, 2020, CKGSB hosted it sixth edition of the CKGSB Philanthropy Award Ceremony in Beijing.

In December 2020, CKGSB worked with the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee on an annual training for MBA professors from universities based in the less developed areas of western China. 69 professors across universities in western China took part in the training that our school offered. 90% of the participants found the training “relevant and useful to the challenges facing their MBA teaching”.

In October 2019, CKGSB Executive MBA program launched the first overseas module on social innovation and business for good, led by Professor Zhu Rui and the pioneering UK social innovator, Michael Norton.

In November 2019, CKGSB was awarded the 2019 China Social Impact Award in the poverty alleviation category by the United Nations and British Chamber of Commerce in China. CKGSB was named a Finalist for the ‘Women’s Empowerment Award’ and ‘Employee Engagement Award.’

In November 2019, CKGSB and UN Women successfully cohosted the 2019 Women in Leadership Forum, “The Power of Equality”.

In December 2019, CKGSB received the China Philanthropic Enterprise of the Year award for the third time in a row from the China Philanthropy Times. Professor Yan Aimin and Professor Li Wei were named China Philanthropists of the Year.

Since 2018, the philanthropy scholarship has been awarded across all of our degree programs to outstanding civil society and NGO leaders.

CKGSB MBA and Chuang Community alumna, Cindy Mi, Founder and CEO of VIPKID, was one of 4 Chinese businesswomen on ‘The Emergent 25: Asia’s Latest Star Businesswomen’ list in Forbes Magazine.

In September 2018, CKGSB collaborated with Tencent Philanthropy in 23 projects on its “99 Charity Day,” garnering RMB 167 million donations from over 11 million people participants.

In September 2018, CKGSB partnered with the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee on a five-years collaboration to provide MBA training to professors in western China.

In November 2018, CKGSB and UN Women co-hosted the 4th Women in Leadership Forum, ‘Driving Change through Social Innovation.’ At the event, CKGSB and Australia’s Victoria Government officially announced their partnership to increase collaboration and exchange between Chinese and Australian businesses.

In December 2018, CKGSB received the ‘China Philanthropic Enterprise of the Year Award’ from China Philanthropy Times. Dean Xiang Bing and Professor Juliet Zhu were recognized as ‘China Philanthropist of the Year’ and’ China CSR Person of the Year,’ respectively.

In 2017, 4 companies led by Chuang Community students were on the list of 50 Most Innovative Companies.

In 2017, 21 CKGSB alumni made it on the list of ‘30-Under-30’ by Forbes China.

In 2017, CKGSB initiated a three-pronged project to alleviate poverty in Ji’an, a poverty-stricken district in Jiangxi province. These projects utilized CKGSB’s industry expertise in education and business to improve access to basic services in the community, reducing the impact of natural disasters and raising the living standards in Ji’an.

In April 2017, CKGSB hosted the 3rd CKGSB Philanthropy Award Ceremony.

In May 2017, CKGSB was recognized at the China CSR Awards by the American and British Chambers of Commerce in China for its “thought leadership” within China’s charity landscape.

In June 2017, CKGSB and UN Women co-hosted the 3rd Women in Leadership Forum, ‘Women Rising: a Diverse Perspective,’ attended by more than 500 executives, scholars and media professionals.

In December 2017, CKGSB was given the ‘China Philanthropic Enterprise of the Year Award’ by China Philanthropy Times, a well-respected philanthropic journal, published under China’s Ministry of Public Affairs. Professors Yan Aimin and Juliet Zhu were named ‘China’s CSR Person of the Year’ and ‘China Philanthropist of the Year,’ respectively.

In February 2016, CKGSB founded the Cheung Kong Education Development Foundation (CKEDF), a non-profit organization with a mission to support the sustainable development of CKGSB, to support the development of alumni, and to work for the betterment of society.

In March 2016, CKGSB was recognized by the American and British Chambers of Commerce in China for its achievements in social innovation at the inaugural China CSR Awards (in particular for our Goji Berry project).

In 2014, CKGSB professor and alumni started the goji berry project, helping farmers in rural Gansu province brand, package and distribute their products, generating sales of 2.18 million RMB in the first three months of the campaign and as a result raising their annual income by 35%.

CKGSB gives the first CKGSB Philanthropy Award to eligible students and their projects.

The first module on social work and philanthropy begins for all Executive MBA program.

In 2014, CKGSB MBA program launched 3 new scholarships – the Women in Leadership Scholarship to empower promising female professionals, the Western Economy Contribution Scholarship to those who have made outstanding contributions to the regional economic development of western China, and the Public Service Scholarship to offer to those who have made great contributions in public service areas.

In November 2014, CKGSB collaborated with UN Women on the 2nd Women in Leadership Forum, “Women’s Leadership and Workplace Diversity: Benefits to Business.”

In September 2013, CKGSB hosts the first Women in Leadership Forum, headlining Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg.

Philanthropic services is made mandatory for all degree programs, accumulating over 165,000+ hours of charitable service to date.

Starting in 2010, all EMBA students are required to volunteer in philanthropic services in order to graduate.

In 2009, CKGSB launched the CKGSB Philanthropy Fund.

In 2008, CKGSB sent groups of volunteers to Sichuan Province to support those affected by the May 12th earthquake. Alumni and staff donated RMB 430 million, roughly 7% of all Chinese corporate donations to earthquake victims.

Since 2007, CKGSB has been working with the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee on an annual training for MBA professors from universities based in less developed areas of Western China to narrow the gap in management education between Eastern and Western China.

In 2005, CKGSB was the first business school in China to incorporate humanities – such as history, religion and philosophy – into its core business curricula to give students a more holistic view of business.

In 2002, CKGSB set up the EMBA Philanthropy Scholarship.

CKGSB’s Social Innovation and Business
for Good Field Course

The key purpose of this course is to move from solely teaching theory to pushing students one step further to make them actually practice business for good, take action, and really make a difference.

Zhu Rui

Professor of Marketing and Director of the Social Innovation and Business for Good Center at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)

Learn more

Selected Projects

The Goji Berry Project

During a trip to Gansu, China, in 2015 for the Gobi Desert Challenge, a group of CKGSB professors, alumni, students and staff who were participating in the business school race realized that the impoverished local farmers were not making full use of a great local resource, the Goji berry. Hence, CKGSB organized its community to voluntarily help the villagers sell Goji berries using innovative business strategies to design, market and distribute their product, raising the entire community’s annual income by 35% and helping lift them out of poverty.

The Ji’an Project

In 2017, CKGSB initiated a three-project campaign to alleviate poverty in Ji’an, an impoverished district in Jiangxi, China, through an all-round, diversified effort. These three projects utilized CKGSB’s industry expertise in education and business to improve access to basic services of the community, reduce the impact of disasters and raise the living standard in Ji’an.

Learn more

CKGSB’s MBA Professor Training Program for Western China

Since 2007, CKGSB has been working with the China National MBA Education Supervisory Committee on an annual training for MBA professors from universities based in the less developed areas of western China, so as to narrow the gap in management education between eastern and western China. Thus far, we have trained more than 400 MBA professors from over 50 universities across 20 underdeveloped provinces in China.

Learn more

Support from CKGSB

The Cheung Kong Education Development Foundation (CKEDF)

With social Innovation embedded in CKGSB’s DNA, the Cheung Kong Education Development Foundation aims to support the sustainable development of CKGSB, its alumni and society.

The Foundation supports the school and its alumni with an efficient, professional and transparent platform on which philanthropic projects in the areas of education, science and technology, healthcare, poverty alleviation and the environment can be carried out.

CKGSB Scholarships

At CKGSB, we offer scholarships to eligible business leaders who work to advance the environment, philanthropy, and ethical business ecosystems to help them advocate social innovation and generate positive social change.

Learn more on how you quality.

CKGSB Philanthropy Scholarships

Events and
Partnerships on
Social Innovation

CKGSB hosts regular events that serve as a platform for businesses, governments, multilateral institutions, non-profit organizations, and civil society to have meaningful conversations that generates solutions to society’s most pressing issues.

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