The Professional Development Workshops provide forums for dialogue among academics, practitioners and students on current issues relevant to today’s organizations. International and local academics who are involved in current programmes at HKBU and who have expertise in a particular area will be invited to conduct the workshops in conjunction with local business leaders.  Topics related to the core areas of change, strategy and corporate governance will be emphasized to ensure that the workshops cohere with the major aims of the course as a whole.  Normally, four one-day workshops will be offered every year, and students are expected to attend eight of these as a requirement for graduation.  Pre-reading materials may be distributed before each workshop to facilitate discussion and learning activities.  The objective is that students will have the ability to apply learnt knowledge and theories to the better understanding of the real business world.