HKPC “2025 Summer InnoTalent Programme” Successfully Concluded Elites from World-Class Universities Aim to Stay in Hong Kong and Seize the Era of I&T

【Hong Kong | 21 August 2025】Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC)’s “2025 Summer InnoTalent Programme” (the Programme) successfully concluded with a graduation ceremony. This year, the Programme received a record-breaking 2,577 applications from local, Mainland, and overseas students, reflecting Hong Kong's unique appeal to young innovation and technology (I&T) talent worldwide. Ultimately, 42 top InnoTalent were selected to participate in the nine-week internship, with a highly competitive acceptance rate of just one in sixty. They represent a diverse and international force of new I&T talent from world-leading institutions, including Stanford University, Harvard University, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Peking University, Tsinghua University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Deepening Innovation Practices and Exchanges to Help I&T Talent Stay and Grow in Hong Kong
The 42 top InnoTalent interned across various HKPC divisions, covering cutting-edge fields such as new industrialisation, artificial intelligence (AI), green technology, and smart cities, where they were deeply involved in projects and gained valuable experience. A key highlight of this year’s programme was a series of in-depth field trips arranged by HKPC, including:

• Luen Tai Hong Kong Fresh Liquid Eggs Limited: Gaining an in-depth understanding of how HKPC upported the transformation of Luen Tai Hong into a smart manufacturing pioneer.
• Hong Kong International Airport – Innovation Lab: Learning how the airport leverages cutting-edge technologies to enhance operational efficiency and passenger experience.
• Legislative Council of the HKSAR: Exploring Hong Kong’s legislative system through a comprehensive tour that included the Chamber, Hall of History, LegCo Library, Viewing Gallery and the Public Gallery.
• Hongrita Group: a leading GBA enterprise, experiencing the fusion of innovation, technology, and the future; and Cuiheng New Area Planning Hall, gaining insights from one of the world's most dynamic economic zones.
• TVB News: Visiting the live broadcast studio, and witnessing the full process from news gathering and writing to editing and airing to understand the operations and challenges behind the media industry.
   

The interns also participated in networking sessions with HKPC’s management and Council members to broaden their professional networks and gain deeper insights into the future potential of Hong Kong’s I&T landscape. In addition, they received comprehensive FutureSkills training covering project management fundamentals, creative thinking, and cross-cultural collaboration. These sessions enhanced their soft skills and analytical thinking, laying a solid foundation for developing I&T talent with an international perspective and a cross-disciplinary mindset.

Mr Mohamed D. BUTT, MH, Executive Director of HKPC, highly praised the interns' overall performance, “Throughout their nine-week internship journey, the InnoTalent has demonstrated creativity, professionalism, and passion. This proves that when talent meets opportunity, potential is unleashed, growth is continuous, and change is driven. I hope all of them see this experience as a vital starting point for their careers. Whether they stay with HKPC or step onto the broader I&T stage in Hong Kong, may they shape their own futures with action and enthusiasm.’’

Matthew, an overseas intern from the University of Cambridge, stated: "Participating in the HKPC Summer InnoTalent Programme allowed me to understand Hong Kong's progress in promoting I&T. From the application of cutting-edge technologies to the intelligent transformation of enterprises, the innovative vitality demonstrated by Hong Kong is impressive. This valuable and unforgettable internship experience has not only broadened my international perspective but has also allowed me to personally feel the unique advantages of Hong Kong as a world-class innovation and technology centre."

LEUNG, an intern from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, shared her experience, "Through the diverse field activities of HKPC’s Summer InnoTalent Programme, I have witnessed firsthand how AI innovations transform traditional industries and drive the development of smart cities. These on-site cases vividly illustrate Hong Kong’s unique strengths as a ‘super connector’ and a ‘super value-adder.’ Although the interns come from diverse cultural backgrounds, it is precisely this diversity that sparks even more innovation in project discussions and collaboration"

“Dare to Try” Project Competition Showcases Youth Potential and Internship Achievements
This year, the Programme elevated the challenge of its “Dare to Try” Project Competition to the next level. The 42 InnoTalent, from diverse academic backgrounds, were divided into five groups. Under the guidance of HKPC mentors, they transformed creative concepts into technology solutions with commercial potential and social value, which were presented for the first time at the graduation ceremony.

Each team's I&T project proposal focused on different themes with social and market potential, covering areas such as green environmental protection, smart cities, AI, and new industrialisation. The interns applied the knowledge and skills acquired during their internship, using innovative thinking to solve real-world problems and turning creative ideas into viable solutions. This showcased the vibrant energy of youth in the I&T sector. In the end, CarbonSorb won the championship, fully demonstrating the unlimited potential of the younger generation in this field.

For years, HKPC has been actively building a robust talent development pipeline, not only attracting local youth and elites from top global universities to its internships but also committing to nurturing, attracting, and retaining talent. Many outstanding interns were invited to formally join HKPC's divisions after completing their internships to contribute their skills. Last year, six InnoTalent received return offers and became members of HKPC's team this year. The addition of talent further injects long-term momentum into Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, testifying the effectiveness of HKPC in talent attraction and retention.

The HKPC’s “2025 Winter InnoTalent Programme” will open for applications in September. Young talents aspiring to a career in I&T are invited to seize the opportunity to experience a high-intensity, cross-disciplinary internship journey.

- Ends -

Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC (fifth from left of the front row), Mr Mohamed D. BUTT, MH, Executive Director of HKPC (fourth from right of the front row), along with HKPC Council members and management, joined interns from top universities around the world to witness the successful conclusion of the “Summer InnoTalent Internship Programme 2025”.

In his speech, Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, stated that the summer InnoTalent programme was comprehensive and enriching. It included field trips in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, networking sessions with HKPC senior management and Council members, and FutureSkills training, which deepened the InnoTalent’ understanding of Hong Kong’s I&T development and opportunities.

Members of the “Dare to Try” champion team presented their innovative ideas to the judging panel.

Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, presents the award to CarbonSorb, the champion team of the “Dare to Try” Innovation Project Competition.

Mr Marvin HSU Tsun-fai, JP, Chairman of Finance Committee of HKPC, presents the award to FusionFit, the first runner-up of the “Dare to Try” Innovation Project Competition.

Mr Anthony LAM Sai-ho, Council member of HKPC, presents the award to VoiceBridge AI, the second runner-up of the “Dare to Try” Innovation Project Competition.

Interns visited Luen Tai Hong Kong Fresh Liquid Eggs Limited for an on-site inspection of the smart production line HKPC helped establish, observing how automation technology enables smart manufacturing and witnessing the practical achievements of new industrialisation.

Interns visited Hong Kong International Airport and toured the Innovation Lab to gain in-depth understanding of innovative technologies such as autonomous driving, AI-based crowd management, and real-time big data analytics, conducting an on-site inspection of the cutting-edge technological applications in smart airport development.

Interns visited the Legislative Council of the HKSAR to gain an in-depth understanding of the bill scrutiny process and the operation of the legislative body, and exchanged views with Hon Sunny Tan, Chairman of HKPC, broadening their perspective on public affairs and I&T policy development.

Interns visited Hongrita Group’s factory in Zhongshan and toured the Cuiheng New Area Planning Hall. Through exchanges with industry experts, they gained insights into the latest trends in smart manufacturing and experienced the collaborative innovation momentum of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Interns visited the TVB News, exploring core areas such as the anchor desk and editing room, gaining an in-depth understanding of the technological applications and social mission behind news production and broadcasting.