Initiated by the Hong Kong Business School and established in collaboration with organizations such as the World Sustainable Leaders Summit, the Yunus Foundation (China), and the Wuji Academy of Arts and Innovation, the Global Research & Outreach Center for Women (abbreviated as GROW) was officially inaugurated in Hong Kong on September 14, 2025. The establishment of GROW marks a significant step for Hong Kong in advancing women’s leadership in business, promoting sustainable development, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

GROW aims to build a diverse, inclusive, and interconnected global ecosystem and empowerment platform for women leaders. It brings together top-tier resources from fields such as education, finance, technology, arts, sustainable development, and life sciences to support women leaders and elites in acquiring relevant professional knowledge, accessing resources, and receiving personal growth support. The center also seeks to broaden their international perspectives, establish cross-border connections, and enhance their decision-making capabilities and global influence. Through mentorship programs, roundtable forums, international summits, and private salons, GROW will enable women leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds, professional fields, and generations to exchange ideas, share experiences, and build a dedicated community of women leaders.

As one of GROW’s initiatives, the Hong Kong Business School will launch a Global Women Business Leaders Doctoral Program, offering opportunities for transnational learning and study tours. The program will cover areas such as business intelligence, corporate governance, cross-border investment, technological innovation, ESG and sustainable development, arts management, and life sciences. Participants will have the opportunity to study in locations including Hong Kong, Singapore, the United States, France, Switzerland, Japan, and Dubai, helping them expand their global vision and professional expertise.

At the inauguration ceremony, Xu Huijun, Dean of the Hong Kong Business School, delivered a speech: "In the wave of the new economy, women are becoming a vital force driving innovation and sustainable development with their unique insights, collaborative spirit, and resilience. From national women leaders and political figures to pioneers in technology, from leaders in the financial industry to founders; from ESG pioneers to innovators in social welfare—more and more outstanding women leaders are actively emerging across all fields. Let us look forward to GROW nurturing generation after generation of women leaders with global perspectives, humanistic compassion, innovative spirit, and practical capabilities. They will shine in their respective fields, showcase Eastern wisdom and global responsibility on the world stage, and contribute unique feminine strength to the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity!"