you can exchange to LBS or Columbia from both schools, and HKUST gives you other options beyond these two as well while HKU does not, so its not really a valid point you were making there.
The HKU programme with LBS and Columbia goes slightly beyond a simple exchange programme. One key aspect is that upon completing a semester either at LBS or Columbia, the HKU student obtains an official certificate from the school and also access to their alumni network.
I don't really believe in rankings and I think that core courses are basically the same. For me the key differentiator in a school are the electives and alumni network. In this respect HKU offers (IMHO) better international perspectives than HKUST.
no offence, dude, you're cheated.
Check LBS exchange programme, they actually grant alumni status to any exchange-in student to LBS.
I retrieved the link from wharton website, in the bottom of the file, it clearly state exchange student will get almuni status.
So HKUST students who go exchange to LBS will also benefit from the alumni network.
see
http://spike.wharton.upenn.edu/mbaprogram/international/iep_factsheets/LBS0910factsheet.pdfBelieve me, whether you're granted alumni status or not, LBS students will never treat you as a full-member of their network.
Regarding electives, do you really think MBAs, i don't think it's smart to take the risk to study your favourite courses in exchange semester, you'd better check their schedule, academic calendar, after all, you're only spending one semester out there.
IF ANYONE STILL THINK ASIA B-SCHOOLs ARE INFERIOR, you'd better choose US/Euro ones at the very beginning.
Even in terms of exchange, CUHK offers double degrees opportunities with HEC Paris/UT Austin. Without any doubt, a Texas MBA degree is much more valuable than a semester spent in London.
HKU is good at propaganda, if anyone is interested in marketing, HKU may be a good place for study, at least, itself offers a rather successful case on branding.