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“Operation Zhang Qian – Undergraduate Summer Internship Programme” Kick-off Ceremony

2016-05-20

  The Maritime Silk Road Society (MSRS) has organized the“Operation Zhang Qian – Undergraduate Summer Internship Programme” to help Hong Kong university students better understand and capitalize on the developmental opportunities offered by “The Belt and Road Initiative”. The Kick-off ceremony of the internship programme was held today (20 May) at the Bank of China Centre in Olympian City.
  
 
  Eighteen sponsoring companies have offered 111 internship places for Hong Kong undergraduate students to work in countries including mainland China, Canada, Czech Republic, Djibouti (Africa), Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam for four to eight weeks.
 
 
  Mrs Regina Ip, Co-Chair of the Maritime Silk Road Society; Ms Li Haixia, General Manager, Head of Human Resources, Human Resources Department of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited; Ms Eunice Yung, Vice-Chair (Administration) of the MSRS Youth Opportunities Committee; and Mr Roland Wong, Vice-Chair (Development) of the MSRS Youth Opportunities Committee spoke at the ceremony. Over 100 guests, including students who had been selected to take part in the programme, representatives of sponsoring companies and participating institutions attended the ceremony.
  
 
  Speaking at the Kick-off ceremony, Mrs Regina Ip, said, “I would like to thank the Bank of China for co-organizing the Kick-off ceremony, sponsoring the venue and arranging a briefing session for students taking part in the internship programme.”
  
 
  Mrs Ip said, “The internship programme provides greater opportunity for self-enhancement and exposure to different cultural and geographical environments than short visits or working holidays. Interns will have hands-on working experience in the companies where they work and gain knowledge of the operations of the company and the industry involved. They will also get to know the host country by living and working there for a prolonged period.
 
 
  I hope more companies will support our internship programme next year so that more Hong Kong university students will be able to broaden themselves by working in different industries and regions,” she added.
  
 
  In her remarks, Ms Li Haixia said, “Intern students should take the bull by the horns, being innovative, having perseverance and the spirit of Zhang Qian. I wish students a fruitful learning that inspires and makes a difference.”
  
 
  During the ceremony, Ms Eunice Yung spoke about her efforts in assisting youths in employment and developing venture business while Mr Roland shared some memorable experience of his university life with the students.
 
 
  The following companies have offered placements under the internship programme: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, CEFC China Energy Company Limited, Chatrium Hotels and Residences, China Merchants Group, China National Travel Service (HK) Group Corporation, China Resources Property Limited, CLP Holdings Limited, Fairchild Group, Fullerton Hotel (Singapore), K. Wah Construction Materials (HK) Limited, Kerry Logistics Network Limited, Lan Kwai Fong Group, Nanjing China Railway Best Joint Commercial Trading Co. Limited/Nanjing China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group Property Development Co. Limited, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Swire Group, The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels Limited, YHS (Singapore) Pte Limited.
 
 
  Approximately 500 students submitted applications under the internship programme. From 17 February to 5 April, about 250 applicants were invited to attend 39 face-to-face and 15 online video interview sessions. About 100 students were shortlisted and offered internship places.
  
 
  Local institutions participating in the internship programme include City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Lingnan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The University of Hong Kong, and the Vocational Training Council.
  
 
  MSRS will be organizing a video contest for intern students so that they will share their internship experience, including snapshots of people, local culture, lifestyle, art and architectures. Members of the public will be able to view the students’ videos on MSRS’s Facebook and contribute comments with the possibility of winning fabulous prizes. Details of the video contest will be announced on the MSRS website (www.maritimesilkroad.org.hk) and MSRS’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/maritimesilkroad). 
  
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Photo Captions:
 
 1. Mrs Regina Ip delivering her remarks at the kick-off ceremony.
 
 2. Ms Li Haixia delivering her remarks at the kick-off ceremony.
 
 3. Ms Eunice Yung delivering her remarks at the kick-off ceremony.
 
 4. Mr Roland Wong delivering his remarks at the kick-off ceremony.

 5. Officiating guests and sponsoring companies at the kick-off ceremony.
 
 6. A group photo of Mrs Regina Ip and intern students at the kick-off ceremony.