Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited (Cyberport) and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) announced that they are working together to launch the “Youth Start-up Internship Programme 2023”.
The programme aims to provide tertiary students with internship opportunities at local start-ups and grow the critical talent pool to drive the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) development.
The programme received tremendous support, with over 50 participating HKSTP park companies offering a total of approximately 100 cross-disciplinary internship placements. These include roles in data analysis, software engineering, marketing, design, among other cutting-edge technologies and related skills.
Participants will acquire industry skills, professional knowledge and work experience, as well as build their personal network through collaborating with I&T leaders. In addition to internships, HKSTP will also provide students with complimentary training and entrepreneurship activities. Upon graduation, participating students may qualify for priority job matching upon graduation.
The Head of Talent & Human Resources at HKSTP stated that the Park is excited to co-organise the “Youth Start-up Internship Programme” with HYAB. Talent is crucial to developing a thriving and growing I&T ecosystem for Hong Kong. HKSTP is working closely with the government, industry, academic and research sectors to launch multiple talent programmes to establish Hong Kong as the region-leading hub for local, Greater Bay Area and international I&T talents.
The HYAB programme internships allow tertiary students before to explore and identify career paths ahead of graduation that suit their interests and backgrounds, while seizing the golden opportunities in Hong Kong’s I&T development by equipping themselves at an early stage.
The current internships last 3-6 months and applicants must be full-time local post-secondary students (including students of sub-degree, undergraduate and post-graduate courses) holding a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card. Participating companies will be subsidised by the Government to engage interns on a full-time, part-time or mixed basis.
According to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), with the various incentives and strong policy support including the Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong, published in December 2017. The sub-sectors of Telecommunication activities and Software publishing and information technology related services are projected to continue developing in the years ahead (with their manpower requirements projected to grow at average annual rates of 1.6% and 2.5% respectively during the period from 2017 to 2027).
With the wide-spread application of IT at the workplace, the on-going development on technology measures including artificial intelligence, data analytics and robotics technologies and their potential adoption in various business processes, the total requirements for IT workers are projected to be on an upward trend at an average annual rate of 2.5% during the projection period to 119 000 in 2027.
OpenGov Asia recently reported that the Census and Statistics Department released the Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2021. The gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) of Hong Kong in 2021 amounted to HK$27,827 million.
This value represents an increase of 5% compared to the corresponding figure in 2020. In addition, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices increased by 7% within the same period. The GERD as a ratio to the GDP was 0.97% in 2021.
A government spokesman stated that innovation and technology (I&T) have always been the HKSAR government’s top priority. Over the years, the government has invested an unprecedented number of resources into developing infrastructure, promoting research and development, nurturing talent, supporting the industry and more, thereby, working to enhance Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem. The spokesperson added that it is encouraging to see that the GERD has recorded an increase of 5%, despite the challenges of 2021.
