Estonia is home to one of the most advanced frontiers in digitization and digital technologies, with numerous tech solutions, such as Skype, sweeping the global market. The Estonian government places great emphasis on cultivating tech talent by integrating programming as one of the essential skills in their primary school curriculum over a decade ago, and encourages students to embark on entrepreneurship. However, due to a lack of world-class universities, about half of the students need to study abroad. Coming of age in such surroundings, Aleksander Vaeaer (21/WYS/BBA) came to Hong Kong in 2017 to enroll in the Integrated Business Administration Programme and the Minor Programme in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPIN) at CUHK. Soon after graduation, Aleksander returned home and co-founded a startup. With his open-minded approach to innovative ideas and a commitment to continuous self-improvement, he is steadily progressing on the path to achieving his dreams.
Raised in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, Aleksander discovered an interest in programming at a young age. His high school fostered a culture that encourages students to explore through their curiosity, while offering entrepreneurship courses that allowed them to choose business projects over thesis work. "I participated in extracurricular activities related to programming and entrepreneurship, including the G48 Hackathon, where I met the founder of Bolt. I also joined a youth entrepreneurship programme in the United States, which significantly broadened my horizons and sparked my ideas in a new startup," he recalls.
Most of Aleksander's peers, benefiting from their strong English skills, were planning to study in the UK upon graduating from high school. Yet, the high costs of studying abroad had led him to reconsider. It was during a university education fair that he discovered the opportunities and scholarship programmes available in Hong Kong, reigniting his dream of pursuing his education overseas. "I had never been to Hong Kong, but after researching online, I found that its culture was vastly different from Estonia's. Out of curiosity, I applied to three or four universities in Hong Kong, with CUHK Business School as my first choice because of its high global ranking," he said. Aleksander received a conditional offer from CUHK with an overall score of 85% or above just two weeks before his final exams. Determined to succeed, so he dedicated himself to his studies, ultimately earning a full scholarship to CUHK to mark the start of a vibrant new chapter in his life.
The first person Aleksander met at CUHK was Seiit Kulubaev, a leader of the international student orientation camp. Seiit had found his way to CUHK from Kyrgyzstan, which shares a common history with Estonia as a former Soviet republic. The two hit it off immediately and bonded over their passion for music. "I have made many local and international friends, slowly building my own 'family' circle. I even got to know a few aunties and received plenty of lai see (red packets) during Lunar New Year," he shares. Aleksander quickly adapted to his life in Hong Kong, enjoying the CUHK campus as it felt like a tranquil oasis away from the bustling city. He developed a taste for dim sum, Indian cuisine and Nepalese dishes, appreciating the high quality and reasonable prices of Hong Kong’s local spots.
Academically, Aleksander finds the BBA and EPIN programmes to be very flexible, allowing students to explore their interests. He was particularly impressed by Professor Shen Luxi's advanced marketing course and Professor Kevin Au’s design thinking and entrepreneurship class, where both professors shared captivating startup stories. "Although the EPIN programme is relatively new, it is truly inspiring. Professor Au took us on a visit to SenseTime, where we learnt firsthand about their AI technology. After that, I started experimenting with AI image generation, which led me to win the Outstanding Artistic Achievements Award at Wu Yee Sun College in 2020," said Aleksander.
Reflecting on his journey, Aleksander believes that studying in Hong Kong was one of his wisest decisions. He was even invited back to his high school to share his experiences with the students, although he noted that most Estonian students tend to choose universities closer to home and family.
After graduating from CUHK in 2021, Aleksander wanted to return home for a vacation but was forced to cancel his plans to return to Hong Kong due to the pandemic. He then became a social media project manager at an advertising agency, but after a year, he decided to leave and return to school for textile design. "Working at the ad agency was pretty demanding, but studying textile design was both relaxing and creatively fulfilling," he said.
Last year in Amsterdam, Aleksander met the two co-founders of Complok, a startup that builds AI-driven risk management platforms for financial institutions. With his background in marketing and design, he crossed paths with the right people at the right time, and he later joined the team as a co-founder. "Initially, I chose to take design thinking and product design courses at CUHK simply because I was following my interests. I never imagined that the knowledge I gained would become the bedrock for my entrepreneurial journey years later," he said.
Both Estonia and Hong Kong have vibrant entrepreneurial cultures, and Aleksander has noted the resemblances and differences between the two. "Estonia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and is still a young nation, akin to a baby, while Hong Kong has a history of less than 200 years since its establishment as a port, making it somewhat of a toddler in comparison. Both regions have dynamic and energetic startup ecosystems. Since Skype was founded in 2003, Estonia has significantly invested in entrepreneurial resources, especially in education, while the Hong Kong government also put a strong emphasis on innovation and technology education. The main distinction between the two regions lies in their economies: a substantial portion of Estonia's economic value is derived from tech startups, while Hong Kong boasts a more diverse industry, particularly in the financial sector," he said. He views Hong Kong as an ideal hub for entrepreneurship and hopes to visit more often to connect with friends and explore business opportunities in the city.
Published on CU Alumni Magazine Issue 120 by Alumni Affairs Office 2024
Read online: CU Alumni Magazine Issue 120 (Chinese Version Only)
PDF: http://www.alumni.cuhk.edu.hk/magazine/202412/pdf/CUAM_202412.pdf
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