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USJ Macao Hosts the Launch of "3rd Deignan Award for Responsible Entrepreneurship"

2026-06-17

17

Jun

17/06/2026

Celebrating Fr. Alfred Deignan S.J.’s Centenary –
“The Ethical Edge” Theme to Drive Sustainable Development in the Greater Bay Area, and Featured Panel Discussion on Humanistic Governance in the AI Era: Ethical Leadership in the GBA.

The Third Edition of the Deignan Award for Responsible Entrepreneurship (Deignan Award), co-organised by Wofoo Social Enterprises, Macau Ricci Institute, and the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), officially opened for applications today. The Launch Ceremony was held at the Don Bosco Auditorium, USJ, marking a significant milestone for this cross-regional platform dedicated to corporate responsibility.

To commemorate the centenary of Fr. Alfred Deignan S.J., the third edition adopts the theme “The Ethical Edge”. The award recognises small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong and Macau with fewer than 100 employees that demonstrate how moral principles serve as a core competitive advantage, achieving outstanding commercial success while fulfilling social responsibilities.

Dr. Stephan Rothlin S.J., Chairman of the Steering Committee, highlighted at the launch that this year’s award carries profound significance as it coincides with Fr. Deignan’s 100th birth anniversary. It serves as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to education and social responsibility. He emphasised: “By choosing ‘The Ethical Edge’ as the theme, we aim to carry forward Fr. Deignan’s vision in the AI era, helping business leaders understand that true leadership stems from inner morality and care for others.” He noted that although SMEs have fewer resources, their diverse backgrounds and more direct business models enable them to invest time and expertise in corporate philanthropy and social contribution more effectively.

This year’s judging process will select three outstanding SMEs each from Hong Kong and Macau to enhance their market reputation and social impact. The application deadline is 2 November 2026, and eligible enterprises are encouraged to apply during this period. Mr. Fong Yik Chin, Steering Committee member and Chief Preliminary Judge for the Hong Kong region, shared: “As a Wah Yan College alumnus, I have been deeply inspired by Fr. Deignan’s teachings, which stress that education should cultivate not only knowledge but also character and the spirit of service to others.” He added that the Deignan Award platform promotes the belief of “Do Well, Do Good,” encouraging enterprises to pursue excellence while creating social value to realise the vision of “harmonious people, prosperous families, harmonious citizens, and a prosperous nation.”

This year’s judging process will select three outstanding SMEs each from Hong Kong and Macau to enhance their market reputation and social impact. The application deadline is 2 November 2026, and eligible enterprises are encouraged to apply during this period. Mr. Fong Yik Chin, Steering Committee member and Chief Preliminary Judge for the Hong Kong region, shared: “As a Wah Yan College alumnus, I have been deeply inspired by Fr. Deignan’s teachings, which stress that education should cultivate not only knowledge but also character and the spirit of service to others.” He added that the Deignan Award platform promotes the belief of “Do Well, Do Good,” encouraging enterprises to pursue excellence while creating social value to realise the vision of “harmonious people, prosperous families, harmonious citizens, and a prosperous nation.”

Following the launch ceremony, a featured panel discussion explored “AI and Humanistic Governance: Exploring Future Leadership in the Greater Bay Area.” The session featured Mr. Chan Ka Ming, Co-founder of Meat the Next (2nd Edition Hong Kong Gold Award winner), and Mr. Siu Kai Tung, Founder of Chazence (2nd Edition Macau Bronze Award winner), moderated by Dr. Florence Li Wing Chi, Assistant Professor at USJ’s School of Business and Law.

The speakers shared their entrepreneurial journeys and discussed how to ensure ethical and sustainable business practices in the AI era. They noted that while AI brings tremendous opportunities, it also presents significant challenges in ethics and governance, such as trust issues and impacts on human development. Mr. Chan stressed that enterprises must prioritise social responsibility alongside profit-seeking to remain competitive. Dr. Li emphasised the need for future talent to possess interdisciplinary analytical skills and humanistic care alongside ethical thinking.

Complementing the event, the new book Responsible Entrepreneurship in Action: A Case Study of Deignan Award Laureates, scheduled for publication on 20 July 2026, will provide in-depth analysis of past winners’ success stories. Based on 18 in-depth interviews with Gold and Merit Award recipients, it offers practical insights and empirical references for GBA enterprises, advancing academic discussion on culturally embedded entrepreneurial ethics.

Application Details & Timeline

  • Eligibility: SMEs registered in Hong Kong or Macau with substantive business operations for at least one year (fewer than 100 global employees). Enterprises with GBA supply chains, manufacturing, or client networks are especially welcome.
  • Application Period: 16 June 2026 to 2 November 2026.
  • Judging Process: Includes company interviews, site visits, and data verification. Results expected to be announced in mid-January 2027.
  • Award Ceremony: 25 March 2027 in Hong Kong, coinciding with Fr. Deignan’s centenary.

Enquiries & Applications

About The Deignan Award for Responsible Entrepreneurship

The Deignan Award for Responsible Entrepreneurship is organised by Wofoo Social Enterprise, Macau Ricci Institute and the University of Saint Joseph (Macau). It is named after educator Alfred Deignan S.J who dedicated himself to education and social services.

The award upholds his commitment and mission to education and promotes positive business values, encouraging SMEs to fully practice corporate social responsibility and implement ethical business conduct. The Deignan Award for Responsible Entrepreneurship focusing on three dimensions: corporate social responsibility, ESG standards, and business ethics. It is based on six core values of “Respect,” which include respect for human dignity, fairness, the environment, business ethics, disadvantaged, and entrepreneurial spirit. The award recognizes and encourages successful SMEs in Macau and Hong Kong that meet the criteria and adhere to sustainable development principles and a focus on public welfare.