(Hong Kong, 30 August 2024) The Hong Kong Productivity Council's (HKPC) 9th Summer InnoTalent Internship Programme culminated today with a graduation ceremony, marking a successful chapter for this initiative that brings global innovation stars together. This year saw record-breaking engagement, with approximately 1,400 applications – including, for the first time, foreign students. A total of 45 outstanding interns from Hong Kong, Mainland, and overseas were selected, with nearly half (49%) hailing from non-local universities[1] and seven being foreign students. The interns are from top universities around the world, including Stanford University, Cornell University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Peking University, Tsinghua University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. This is a strong testament to the appeal of Hong Kong's innovation and technology (I&T) development to global talent.
Immersive Experience on the Frontlines of Industry: Taking the Pulse of New Industrialisation
The 10-week internship programme provided interns with invaluable opportunities to gain in-depth understanding of I&T and new industrialisation development trends. In addition to practical experience gained in various HKPC divisions – such as the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Division, InnoPreneur (SME & Startup Growth) and FutureSkills Division, and Smart City Division – students participated in diverse training and field trips. These included FutureSkills workshops, expert lectures, and job shadowing opportunities.
To further broaden their horizons, HKPC arranged visits to companies in Hong Kong and the Mainland. These included a visit to one of the world's largest jewellery groups, Hong Kong Street Eats Limited, and the LinkedIn office, providing insights into operational models and innovative applications across different industries. Additionally, students toured smart production lines and factories established in the Mainland by well-known brands, as well as "Microfactories" established with HKPC’s assistance. These firsthand experiences with new productive forces and new industrialisation approaches provided a solid foundation for their future careers in I&T development.
Talent training is an essential part of technological development, and one of the key elements of new productive forces is “talent”. HKPC is dedicated to nurturing young I&T talent and leaders while driving the development of new productive forces in Hong Kong. By introducing top-notch I&T resources from home and abroad, HKPC provides a broader platform for outstanding talents both domestically and internationally. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Mohamed BUTT, Executive Director of HKPC, stated, "Young people are the future of the I&T industry in Hong Kong. HKPC is committed to creating opportunities for them by providing practical workplace training and allowing them to witness firsthand the journey of scientific research from development to real-world application. We aim to ignite their passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, helping Hong Kong retain its talent pool." He further added, "HKPC leads by example, with various types of interns comprising approximately 14% of our total workforce and nearly 30% of our employees being young talents aged 30 or below. My 'reverse mentor', who is in his twenties, has been instrumental in helping me understand the unique perspectives of the new generation. This has led to fresh management approaches, a more inclusive and diverse workplace, and ultimately, a greater capacity for innovation within our organisation." Regarding attracting global talent, Mr BUTT shared, "In my conversations with international interns, I've found that many arrived unaware of Hong Kong's achievements in I&T. Their HKPC internships, however, completely change this perception. They experience firsthand Hong Kong's strengths in I&T, not just in Asia but globally. I'm confident our internship programme will continue to attract top talent to Hong Kong, further strengthening our global competitiveness."
Hands-on Experience Fuels Interns' Understanding of New Productive Forces
Reflecting on their experiences, many interns expressed that the Summer Internship Programme effectively blended knowledge and practice. It allowed them to step out of the classroom and theoretical frameworks, gaining practical experience through research, model building, and other hands-on activities. This real-world exposure proved invaluable in preparing them for future careers as professional researchers.
They also mentioned site visits to companies in the Greater Bay Area provided them with a rare glimpse into the daily operations of factories. A particularly memorable visit was to the factory of one of the world's largest jewellery groups. This experience highlighted how businesses leverage automation and digitalisation to enhance efficiency, quality, and overall customer experience, deepening their understanding of new productive forces. By witnessing firsthand how technological advancements are applied to specific industries and supply chains to create more competitive products, interns gained valuable insights for their future careers in I&T and contributed to the I&T talent pool of Hong Kong.
Overseas Interns Discover Gateway to Asian I&T, Set Sights on Hong Kong Careers
Several foreign interns shared that they viewed the internship as an exceptional window into Asian I&T development. During their time at HKPC, they received significant support and encouragement, along with invaluable opportunities to visit factories in the Mainland and local enterprises. They were impressed by the strong support for scientific research at HKPC, witnessing numerous projects genuinely driving innovation. They recognised Hong Kong's significant commitment to scientific research and academic pursuits. Hong Kong, as an international metropolis with a unique work environment and rich cultural experiences, revealed its immense potential on the global stage, leading many to express a strong interest in pursuing careers there after graduation. To help overseas students integrate into local life, HKPC thoughtfully arranged their accommodation at the historic Mei Ho House, providing a unique cultural immersion experience.
Additionally, HKPC's mentorship programme, which pairs interns with experienced mentors, received high praise. Through one-on-one discussions about workflows, mentors guided interns towards their goals, offering personal insights and encouragement when challenges arose. This dedicated guidance helped interns understand work processes and project operations, building their confidence to face challenges even when assigned to departments outside their areas of expertise. During visits to Mainland companies, some interns had the opportunity to witness the implementation of projects they had contributed to, fostering a profound sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
From Action to Innovation: Graduation Ceremony Showcases Learning Outcomes
The Graduation Project Competition brought together interns in six teams, each tackling a unique challenge related to green initiatives, smart cities, or artificial intelligence. The competition provided a platform for interns to apply their newfound knowledge and skills, showcasing their innovative solutions to real-world problems. At the graduation ceremony, HKPC presented awards to outstanding teams. The "Tea-Incorporated Socks " project earned unanimous praise from the judges and secured the championship title for its innovative concept of creating a sustainable and innovative solution to tea waste.
HKPC is pleased to announce that applications for the “Winter InnoTalent” Internship Programme will open in October 2024. The programme, which will take place in late 2024, welcomes applications from local, Mainland, and overseas university students committed to advancing I&T development in Hong Kong. In addition, HKPC also welcomes graduates of internship programmes to seek opportunities in the future to join and become part of HKPC, contributing to Hong Kong's I&T industry.
1Including Hong Kong students studying at universities in Mainland China or overseas.
- Ends -
Ms Vivien LAU Man-Yee, Chairlady of HKPC Staffing Committee (third from right of the front row) and Mr Mohamed BUTT, Executive Director of HKPC (second from right of the front row), join HKPC representatives and interns from the 9th "Summer InnoTalent" Internship Programme for a celebratory group photo, marking the program's successful conclusion.
Ms Vivien LAU Man-Yee, Chairlady of HKPC Staffing Committee, emphasised how the organisation's summer internship programme equips young talent with the skills and experience to establish Hong Kong as an international I&T centre.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Mohamed BUTT, Executive Director of HKPC, highlighting the organisation's dedication to empowering young people to become global leaders in I&T.
Six teams of interns presented their final graduation projects to a panel of expert judges. The "Tea-Incorporated Socks" project earned unanimous praise from the judges and secured the championship title for its innovative concept of creating a sustainable and innovative solution to tea waste.
HKPC meticulously arranged for interns to visit companies in Hong Kong and the Mainland, including a world-leading jewellery group, allowing them to experience firsthand the transformative impact of technological innovation on industries.
Interns visited Hong Kong Street Eats company to witness firsthand how HKPC assists SMEs in upgrading local production lines, deepening their understanding of the "Microfactory" concept.
Interns visited the LinkedIn office to gain insights into the operational models and corporate culture of technology companies.
Interns attended the opening ceremony of Hong Kong's first "Future Manufacturing Hall", getting a firsthand experience of future technologies.
HKPC arranged city hunt activities for overseas interns to allow them to fully experience the unique charm of Hong Kong.
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