On 11 January 2025, HKU hosted the inaugural Onboarding Ceremony of the Co-operative Education Programme at the Convocation Room. The ceremony celebrated the eighteen pioneering students in the Co-operative Education Programme (“Co-op Programme”) and showcase the efforts of the University in fostering strong collaborations between academic and industry.
The ceremony featured inspiring speeches and interactive elements that engaged students, inviting them to share their expectations and aspirations for the Co-op program. It was a moment of collective inspiration and anticipation for the journey ahead. Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) gave a warm and welcoming speech at the ceremony, expressing heartfelt gratitude to supporting employer partners and faculties for being the founding collaborators in the Co-op Programme. Professor Pauline Chiu, Associate Vice-President (Teaching and Learning), highlighted the concept and the objectives of developing the Co-op programme. Dr Wilton Fok, Director of the Co-operative Education Office, and our enthusiastic employer partners, Ms Cathy Mak from CLP, and Mr Ivan Au from PwC, shared their insight and expectations on participating students. Their invaluable insight and supportive words actively enriched the event, providing a profound depth of encouragement and perspective to the occasion.
The Co-op Programme is an experiential learning initiative that allows students to gain hands-on experience through paid full-time employment for at least seven consecutive months. It underscores HKU’s commitment to providing students with experiential learning opportunities and preparing them for successful careers in their chosen fields.
This onboarding ceremony marked the start of the Co-op students’ 7-month internship journey and the launch of the Co-op Programme. It was also a remarkable occasion to express our gratitude to our employer partners for their incredible support in bringing the programme to fruition and creating impactful opportunities for our students.