Enterprises from the Chinese mainland and overseas are offering a record 400 internships through a Hong Kong youth development program, drawing over 3,100 student applicants.
At the program’s launch ceremony on Friday, officials and corporate representatives urged students to seize the opportunity, develop global networks, and foster personal growth.
Initiated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government in 2018, the Corporate Summer Internship Scheme on the Mainland and Overseas has unveiled its largest-ever edition, setting new records for the numbers of participating companies, internship positions and applicants.
Twenty-eight top companies across sectors such as finance, innovation technology, internet, and entertainment have provided over 400 internship positions. Notably, roles related to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence are introduced for the first time.
The internship locations span a broad region, including other cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Hangzhou, as well as overseas destinations such as Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Mongolia, and Australia.
During the opening ceremony, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki highlighted the significant increase in student applications this year, calling it a testament to Hong Kong youths’ drive for progress and their readiness to face challenges.
Stressing the government's focus on youth development, Chan encouraged students to embrace opportunities and gain valuable work experience. He said he hopes Hong Kong youth will expand their networks domestically and internationally through the program.
During the launch event, students who took part in previous programs shared their internship experiences, inspiring others to make the most of the opportunity and tackle new challenges head-on.
Minnie Chan interned at the Shenzhen headquarters of the digital financial services company Ant Group last year, where she helped develop and promote marketing strategies.
She said this internship deepened her understanding of the mobile payment industry and familiarized her with the mainland’s workplace culture, significantly benefitting her future career development.
Last year, Vinci Chan interned at the Singapore branch of real estate developer Sino Group. She said that experience honed her language skills and provided insights into ESG practices in Singapore’s hotel industry.
She encouraged fellow students to make full use of resources to unlock diverse career paths.
Mainland internet giant Tencent, a long-time participant in the program, offers over 30 internship positions this year in areas such as artificial intelligence, computing, and software development. Students can intern for at least eight weeks at Tencent’s Shenzhen headquarters.
Alan Tsoi Ka-lun, the company’s deputy director of Greater Bay Area Public Affairs, noted that Hong Kong students excel in the English language and help facilitate the implementation of Tencent’s projects in the city.
He added that around 200 students have interned at Tencent through this program, with all of them given the opportunity to secure full-time positions afterwards.
Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com
