Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

Programme Aims & Objectives

The Start-up Technology Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) aims to offer CityUHK undergraduate students a unique opportunity to participate in entrepreneurial activities in industrial settings or business organizations at top start-up locations in Mainland China and/or overseas countries. Through STEP, students can gain valuable hands-on experience, practical understanding, and exposure to diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems across the globe. They acquire insights into running a tech startup, including fundraising, marketing, operation, product development, etc. and understand the various issues involved in developing a viable venture. STEP offers students exposure to the forefront of technologies and innovative business models, and integrate classroom knowledge with real-world applications.

STEP is one of the innovative programmes offered by the CityU Academy of Innovation (“CAI”), in collaboration with the College of Science, the first cohort of STEP is expected to commence in Semester B 2024/25.

CAI serves as a testament to CityUHK's commitment to develop a leading ecosystem that nurtures young entrepreneurs, incubates deep-tech start-ups, and promotes university-industry collaboration in Hong Kong and beyond. More details about CAI can be found at https://www.cityu.edu.hk/svie/academy-of-innovation.htm

After being successfully placed into a company or organization, upon approval, students from the College of Science can be registered into one of the following courses:

• CSCI4001 Co-operative Education Scheme for Science Students (6 CUs), or
• CSCI4002 Industrial Attachment Scheme for Science Students (3 CUs).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the STEP, students should be able to:

• Identify, demonstrate and practise the soft skills that are required at workplace
• Describe the setting of the industry and the operations of the host company
• Identify and practise the roles of professionals in the industry and entrepreneurial ecosystems
• Apply and integrate the knowledge acquired in classroom at workplace and offer innovative preliminary business solutions

Course Structure

Students will be placed into a company or organization for three or six months of full-time attachment or internship during the academic terms and will be jointly supervised by a host supervisor and a CityUHK supervisor. Before the attachment or internship, students will participate in the pre-attachment or internship training workshops. During the attachment or internship, students will join review sessions and post-attachment or internship activities to help them identify adjustment issues in the workplace and ways to improve job performance. At the end of the attachment or internship, students are required to prepare and submit a report or final presentation to complete the programme.

Course Details

► Attachment/ Internship Location: Beijing

► Attachment/ Internship Period and Duration:

3 months (3 Credit Units)

• Semester B (February – April)
• Summer Term (June – August)
• Semester A (September – November) OR

6 months (6 Credit Units)

• Semester B and Summer Term (February – August)
• Summer Term and Semester A (July – December)

►Attachment/ Internship Type: Face-to-face

►Job Nature/ Job Field: Artificial Intelligence, Business Operations, Big Data, Computer and Data Engineering, Data Analysis and Research, Electronic and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Human Resources and Administration, Information Technology (IT), Marketing, Public Relations, and more.

►Remuneration: Discretionary basis by hosting companies

►Eligibility

• Year 2, 3 or penultimate year students who are studying a full-time UGC-funded Bachelor's degree programme in the College of Science;
• Proficient in written and verbal communication in Chinese

Notes: Exchange students, associate degree and postgraduate degree students are not eligible to apply for STEP.