The prospects of young people's development has always been a concern for the community. Also, it has always been the focus of all sectors of our community on how to enable young people to develop in industries such as innovation and technology. China Economic Research Programme of Lingnan University (CERP) has held innovation and entrepreneurship training and internship activities for four consecutive years for all local college students since 2016.
Group photo of ‘Linking You to Innovation’ Entrepreneurial Internship Programme 2019 Launch Ceremony
This year, CERP and the Hong Kong Higher Education Convergence co-organized a 34-day ‘Linking You to Innovation’ Entrepreneurial Internship Programme from June 2019, to provide students with training on the knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition, the organizers provided students with internships in well-known mainland enterprises to help them develop their vision for innovation and entrepreneurship. By taking advantage of this opportunity, Hong Kong students could diversify their career plan and knowledge. Students who were interested in starting a business could also understand the support for entrepreneurs from different institutions in Mainland and Hong Kong, so that they could be more prepared before starting their businesses and increase their chances of success.
Understanding new social trends and opening up development opportunities
This year's internship was located in Xiamen, which is known as the "City of Innovation and Entrepreneurship." Students from different universities participating in training and internships went to various institutions including NetDragon, Xiamen International Trade Holdings Group, E-commerce Department of Septwolves Holding Group, Bank of China (Xiamen Branch), Tan Kah Kee Memorial Museum and etc., to conduct their internships. We were delighted that these companies assigned mentors to guide students, so that students could comprehensively learn relevant knowledge and have hands-on experience.
During the internship, the organizers also arranged for students to visit various types of enterprises in Xiamen, such as the Good Cat Cultural Company and Gulong Sauce Cultural Park. In addition to communicating with company leaders, students understood the corporate social responsibilities that cultural and creative enterprises can fulfill. For instance, the good cat cultural company uses multimedia and its own influence to promote community waste sorting. Moreover, students visited different technology industries and relevant facilities, including Unisound Xiamen, Xiamen Software Park, Xiamen Planning Exhibition Hall and Xiamen Science and Technology Museum, etc., to grasp Xiamen's creative and technology industry operations, its resource matching and future development trends.
Hong Kong students as interns in NetDragon Group
Getting to know society through practice of community services
While Internships are important, it is also necessary to have a thorough understanding of Mainland society. The organizer arranged social work activities, e.g. students became volunteers, and went to Xiamen-Hong Kong Nursing Home for elder care volunteer services, to make the local elders feel the care of young students from Hong Kong. Some of their duties included paying visits to the elders, distributing gift of daily necessities, tidying up for the elders and giving performances. With the opportunities in community services, participants will have a deeper understanding of Mainland society, increase their attention of the livelihood in Mainland, broaden their horizons and thinking, and enhance their spirit of caring towards the community and thus contribute to the community.
Student interns volunteering in Xiamen-Hong Kong Nursing Home
CERP and the Hong Kong Higher Education Convergence co-organized this internship programme to enable Hong Kong youths to know and understand the new model of domestic innovation and entrepreneurship culture through innovative entrepreneurship training and internships. These activities can also help participants make better plans for their future studies and career, and hence realise their ambitions.