The BUddy Post – HKBU Alumni Affairs Office

What does it take to navigate multiple waves of technological change, from online gaming and startups to mobile apps, banking and financial regulation? For alumnus Gary Kwok Ka-yeung (Applied Computing), the answer lies in one simple principle that has guided him throughout his career: say “Yes” to opportunities.

Since graduating from HKBU, alumnus Kwok has consistently embraced new challenges — often at the very moments when standing still would have been the more comfortable choice. During the interview, he reflects on the pivotal decisions, lessons and experiences that shaped his remarkable journey, revealing how, time and again, a willingness to say “Yes” opened doors to unexpected possibilities, while sharing his thoughts on embracing change, learning continuously and finding the courage to step into the unknown.

Simple is Always Better

Alumnus Kwok loved creating software and hardware design. HKBU’s Applied Computing programme, which brought the two fields together, was a natural fit. But it was in a Realtime Computing course taught by Professor Huang Chin-shih that he picked up a philosophy he has carried ever since. “While we were lost and drilled in complicated tasks, Prof Huang always mentioned ‘Simple is always better,’” he recalled. “That motto stayed with me throughout my life and career.”

That short phrase left the deepest mark of his student days, and he has applied it to everything he does since. “Whether I am writing code, designing system architecture, or preparing presentations or documents, I always try to simplify, and my colleagues know what I expect: Keep it simple and serve the objective.” He said. He often encourages his colleagues to step back and return to the basics. “I always tell my team that simplicity is not a compromise with reality,” he said. “It is the pursuit of perfection.” Decades on, Professor Huang’s words continue to shape his thinking, his leadership and his approach to problem-solving.

Say “Yes” to Opportunities

Alongside “Simple is always better”, alumnus Kwok shares a second guiding principle: “Say ‘Yes’ to opportunities”, a message he also delivered to fresh graduates as a guest speaker at HKBU’s 67th Commencement Ceremony. The most rewarding chapters of his career, he notes, have almost all begun with that single word. “For me, saying ‘Yes’ means seizing opportunities that can take my career to the next level and it leads me to a richer and more rewarding life.” He said.

One defining moment came shortly after his graduation in 1997, when the online gaming company he had joined folded during the Asian Financial Crisis. “A colleague approached me to start our own company and build an online gaming platform together. I could have chosen the safer path of finding another job, but I said yes.” He recalled. The platform they created proved innovative enough to be acquired by a listed company, earning him the first entrepreneurial success.

Alumnus Kwok then returned to corporate life, spending eight years as a Project Manager at a listed IT company. Yet stability came at a price: years of intense pressure and a diminishing sense of fulfilment prompted him to rethink his priorities. At that point, another opportunity appeared. “Leaving a stable job to start a business again was the hardest ‘Yes’ in my career,” he said. With a young family to support and a secure career ahead of him, he chose to pursue an idea he believed in — developing the world’s first Chinese character input app, iAcces, for the newly launched iPhone, together with a friend. The risk paid off. The app became one of the most popular ones in the Greater China region.

That same instinct later brought him in a new direction, as he accepted his current position as Head of Architecture at the Securities and Futures Commission. Reflecting on his choices, he said, “People often say that our greatest regrets are not the things we tried and failed at, but the opportunities we had and never pursued.” Throughout his journey, he has found that the greatest rewards often come from saying “Yes” to opportunities.

From Problem-Solver to Future Thinker

Throughout the years, alumnus Kwok has maintained strong ties with many HKBU graduates, both as a mentor and as an active member of the alumni community. He has observed a distinctive “HKBU spirit” shared across generations. “HKBU graduates are willing to work harder than others to achieve their goals. They have a stronger sense of responsibility and are problem-solvers.” He explained.

This spirit also defines his own approach to work. “If I say I will handle something, I make sure I deliver,” he said. The readiness to take responsibility, solve problems, and honour commitments has earned him trust throughout his career — and, he believes, is precisely what prompted others to offer him the opportunities he said “Yes”.

With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping the workplace, alumnus Kwok sees creativity as the key to staying ahead. “People who use AI creatively are becoming more effective and competitive than those who rely solely on hard work,” he observed. Rather than fearing AI, he encourages people to embrace it as a tool to enhance productivity. “AI can help with ‘how’, but humans must still understand ‘why’,” he explained, emphasising that creativity, critical thinking, and judgment remain irreplaceable in the AI era.

Qualities for Future Success

Gary believes cultivating these human qualities is not something that happens at the desk. Rather, it stems from one’s attitude toward life. Driven by a strong sense of curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning, he has cultivated a wide range of diverse interests. “When I encounter bottlenecks at work, I try to draw on experiences from other fields and use a fresh perspective to solve problems, offering innovative directions and ideas for my team,” he shared.

Looking ahead, he thinks success for young alumni and students will depend on three qualities: deep focus, cross-disciplinary creativity and inner peace. “When I work, I am fully focused. When I rest, I completely unplug. A calm mind helps you think clearly, stay resilient, and find creative solutions from unexpected places.”

Taken together, his principles form a full circle: simplicity clears the mind, a calm mind is better able to recognise opportunities. In turn, recognising opportunities is what makes it possible to say “Yes” to new possibilities.