Two students were declared the winners of the Pitch Perfect Programme 2024 after a gruelling three-month competition.
More than 100 students signed up for this year’s edition, which consisted of a series of training courses, company visits and internships, culminating in the final pitching round. Organized by the Young Executive’s Club, the programme was sponsored by Ernst & Young, Cathay Pacific, MTR Corporation Limited, The Mills Fabrica (Nan Fung Group), New World Development Limited and NEC Hong Kong Limited.
In the semi-final and final stages, contestants underwent tough hypothetical job interviews with sponsor representatives and Chamber leaders. After intense deliberation, the final round judges Chamber CEO Patrick Yeung, YEC Chairman Olivia Kung and IDC Chairman Elsa Wong announced the champions: Aruzhan Sarbiyeva from Hong Kong Baptist University, and Natalie Chan from the University of Hong Kong.
Chan said she was thrilled to be declared a champion. "I devoted a significant amount of time to research the company for my track, New World Development, as well as HKGCC, to understand the landscape and refine my ideas to ensure they were compelling and viable,” she revealed. “The invaluable guidance from the mentors helped to hone my presentation skills and build the confidence to deliver a good performance."
Echoing Chan’s sentiments, Sarbiyeva said the competition had expanded her understanding of the business world, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking. “The experience of engaging with leaders and witnessing the dynamic business landscape has reinforced my belief in the power of continuous learning and adaptability in one's career,” she added.
The five finalists received cash prizes of HK$8,000, while Chan and Sarbiyeva received an additional HK$10,000 each and were named Chamber Student Ambassador. The two champions will also have the opportunity to meet a distinguished business leader for insights into the corporate world.
“All the training and guidance the students received were not just for this programme,” said Chamber CEO Yeung. “The knowledge they have acquired should become ingrained in their DNA, becoming a lifelong asset.”
YEC Chairman Kung praised all the winners for their excellent performance. “It's the third year of the programme, and besides our newly crowned champions, the previous editions have seen some outstanding winners,” she said. “I hope they will connect with each other and share their experiences."