Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) held its Industry Engagement Day and Employers' Luncheon for the fourth consecutive year. This year's event was themed “Bridging HKMU Talents and Tomorrow's Opportunities”. The event brought together over 200 participants, including about 100 partners and employer representatives from sectors such as information technology, hospitality, recreation, construction and engineering to share outcomes on student internships and talent cultivation.
As the most established self-financing institution in Hong Kong and the only one granted self-accrediting status, HKMU has consistently demonstrated its flexibility in offering programmes that meet the needs of society and industry, nurturing future-ready talent. The University provides students with diverse internship opportunities to develop professional knowledge and skills, ensuring a smooth transition into the workplace after graduation and empowering them to unleash their full potential. The University has been actively strengthening its ties with various sectors to create a wide range of internship and development opportunities for students.
Cultivating talent through strategic partnerships
Over the past year, HKMU established strategic partnerships with eight industry enterprises by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to collaboratively nurture talent and create diverse internship and employment opportunities for students. Industry partners include Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and Kai Shing Management Services Limited (Kai Shing).
Through its collaboration with Cyberport, HKMU placed 19 students in summer internships at nine start-ups over the past two years. These start-ups focus on areas such as digital entertainment and STEM education.
Internship opportunities provided by industry are not limited to Hong Kong. Over the past year, more than 60 students from various Schools completed summer internships at Kai Shing's offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, gaining practical experience in cross-border property management and broadening their horizons.
During the 2024/25 academic year, over 6,000 HKMU students participated in internships to prepare for their future careers. This included nearly 100 students who took part in the Innovation and Technology Commission's “STEM Internship Scheme”, gaining valuable experience in the innovation and technology sector.
Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, HKMU Council Chairman, stated in his welcoming speech that the University believes that education is not just about imparting knowledge; it is also about equipping students with the soft skills, mindset and adaptability they need to succeed in the real world. To address this, HKMU has been proactive in creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience. Through internships, industry projects and experiential learning programmes, the University aims to empower students with the professional knowledge and skills need for a seamless transition into the workforce.
He encouraged students by saying, “You are the future. The challenges you face may seem overwhelming, but remember that every challenge is an opportunity to learn, grow and prove your worth. Take advantage of every chance, such as today's event, to gain insights into various careers. Be proactive, be curious and never stop striving for excellence.”
Gathering industry leaders to support student career development
Prof. Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, said that the University established the Career Development Advisory Committee last year to bring together industry leaders from various sectors. The Committee provides valuable insights into student career development and helps enhance the University's career support services. “The University will implement these recommendations by expanding our mentorship programmes with regular career talks from more professionals and launching targeted workshops to address the skills gaps identified by our advisors,” he explained. “This will enhance our graduates' competitiveness in the workplace.”
Last year, the University launched the “HKMU Dream Builder Scheme”. Through a series of training and learning opportunities, including personality and career assessments, extensive professional training, career sharing and one-on-one career coaching, it helps students explore their career interests, develop their skills and successfully transition into the workforce.
Ricky Hung Ka-yeung, a Year 4 student in the Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports and Recreation Management programme, is one of the participants in the Scheme. Although an injury ended his childhood dream of pursuing a career as a competitive athlete, he remained determined to dedicate himself to sports-related fields.
Through the scheme's training and his own efforts, Ricky secured an internship with The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)'s Charities Department, which expanded his perspective and helped him explore potential career paths. Currently, Ricky is also involved in football and sports-related activities organised by the HKJC, assisting overseas and local coaches in delivering football sessions to children from kindergarten to secondary school. These activities aim to promote children's physical and mental development. Ricky has successfully transformed his passion for sports into a positive influence, spreading energy throughout the community.
Justin Ng Man-hei, an HKMU Student Ambassador and a Year 4 student in the Cyber and Computer Security programme, shared his work experience in the event operations department at Kai Tak Sports Park. His responsibilities included participating in test events and assisting in the management of a team of over 20 people, with duties such as crowd control and ticketing. Through this experience, he gained a deeper understanding of large-scale sports events and relevant management skills, which had a lasting impression on him.
The event also featured sharing sessions from other students. Through exhibition booths and on-stage discussions, they showcased the fruitful experience and growth they gained from their internships.