“Linking You to Innovation” Programme 2017 kicks off

The “Linking You to Innovation” Entrepreneurship Training, Visits and Internship Programme 2017, co-organised by the China Economic Research Programme (CERP) and the Student Services Centre (SSC) of Lingnan University, has collaborated with Lingnan Institute of Further Education (LIFE) to arrange over 40 Lingnan students to take up summer internships in renowned corporations in the urban district and Nansha District of Guangzhou as well as Longgang District of Shenzhen, with respective durations of 5 weeks and 2 weeks starting from 12 June.  The Programme’s kick-off Ceremony was held on 9 June.

 

In his welcoming remarks, President Leonard K Cheng said that “the ‘Linking You to Innovation’ Programme built on the success of the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Training Scheme’ organised by CERP last year with recognition from the University Grants Committee in its comments on the University’s Annual Report on Knowledge Transfer.  Apart from the emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship of young people,  the Programme has been extended this year by offering Lingnan students internship opportunities in financial and e-commerce industries in both the urban districts and Nansha District of Guangzhou, and innovative and technological industries as well as startups in Longgang District of Shenzhen.”

 

Prof Wei Xiangdong, Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Director of CERP also pointed out that the entrepreneurship training and visits are components that distinguish the Programme from other internship schemes.  The three-day training includes an introduction to entrepreneurial opportunities in Hong Kong and Mainland China, development of a startup company to a micro-enterprise, and how it attracts venture capital and goes listed.  The comprehensive Programme  combines training and visits, and provides participants with information on funding support.  It would broaden students’ knowledge and horizons on innovation and entrepreneurship.

 

Internship opportunities will be offered to Lingnan students by the enterprises from Mainland’s fast-growing industries, such as finance, e-commerce, culture and creativity, and innovation and technology.  Participating enterprises include Vipshop which is the third largest e-commerce company in China, Branch of Bank of China in China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Nansha Area, The Office of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone - Nansha Area of Guangzhou, Guangdong Museum, Guangzhou Zeale Group in Guangzhou, Lukka International Limited, Royole, Ba Fang Tong Da Technology, Vigrance and Longer3D in Shenzhen.

 

Officiating guests of the ceremony included Mr Yang Chengwei, Deputy Director-General, Department of Youth Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Ho Sai-yiu and Ms Ho Wai-yi, Directors of Ho Iu Kwong Charity Foundation and members of the steering committee of the CERP, and  President Leonard K Cheng, Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Vice-President, Dr Li Donghui, Associate Vice-President (Student Affairs), Prof Wei Xiangdong and Dr Raymond Ng Chi-wing, Director of LIFE from Lingnan University.  At the ceremony, President Cheng expressed his gratitude to the generous support and sponsorship from Ho Iu Kwong Charity Foundation, Home Affairs Bureau, Commission on Youth, Guangdong Youth Federation, Guangzhou Nansha District Youth Federation and Longgang District of Shenzhen.  He also encouraged students to acquire knowledge and working experience from the Programme in order to help explore their future direction of development.

Clinton Global Initiative University