CityU Employers’ Luncheon 2019 hosted by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 9 April set out to foster stronger ties and collaborations with the corporate world, raise awareness among employers about CityU’s educational philosophy, and showcase our students’ outstanding inventions and achievements.
Nearly 600 participants attended the event, including around 350 employers from more than 200 companies in a wide range of industries. Most participants were senior management from international enterprises and organisations. They had a fruitful sharing with over 200 faculty members and students from CityU.
Prior to the Luncheon, employers learned more about our students’ remarkable achievements in science, social science, business, the creative arts and social service at an exhibition with nearly 40 student projects showcased.
This year’s Luncheon coincides with CityU’s 25th anniversary since inauguration as a university. Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, extended a warm welcome to all guests, and highlighted that university education was not only about transmitting knowledge, but also for creating and transferring knowledge.
“The partnerships among students, faculty and industrial partners should stay forever, for the betterment of students and society,” he said. “You, our industrial partners, are helping society tremendously.”
Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing, Vice-President (Student Affairs), introduced the keynote speaker, Mr Willy Lin Sun-mo, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC).
Mr Lin delivered a talk titled “How INNOVATION Drives Our Future”, in which he noted that CityU has been a long-term partner of HKPC for driving innovation at both local and international levels.
He said innovation would affect the nature of jobs in the future and actualise smart living and advanced manufacturing processes, but students need not to worry about being replaced by technologies, such as artificial intelligence.
“If you are innovative enough, there is nothing to be scared of,” he said, adding that innovation would create around 133 million new jobs. “Let me assure you, you will have a bright future as we embrace technology.”
In his vote of thanks, Professor Ip said Mr Lin’s remarks about the importance of innovation today resonated with CityU’s vision and mission. “I am sure that his wise words will inspire our students to think deeply and encourage all of us here today to strive for innovation that will benefit the world and humanity,” he said.
Professor Alex Jen Kwan-yue, CityU Provost; Professor Matthew Lee Kwok-on, Vice-President (Development and External Relations); and Mr Sunny Lee Wai-kwong, Vice-President (Administration), were also in attendance.
The Luncheon, now in its fifth year, gives CityU students an excellent opportunity to expand their interpersonal networks and equip themselves for their future careers. Employers in attendance included Citibank, Ernst & Young, Hang Seng Bank, HSBC, Microsoft Hong Kong Limited, MTR, Rider Levett Bucknall Limited, and many more.
