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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (July 31) officially launched a new initiative for Hong Kong university students to undertake internships in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries during his visit to Singapore.
The ASEAN Internship for University Students of Hong Kong Scheme was initiated and developed by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Singapore with an aim of widening students' international perspectives and enhancing bilateral relations between Hong Kong and ASEAN.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr Tsang said the Scheme showcases the Hong Kong Government's commitment to nurturing young talent and to better preparing them for an increasingly globalised world.
"This internship scheme provides students with exposure to ASEAN, 10 economies of great diversity in language, culture, religion and economic strength as well as political system," he said.
Also present at the event, the Director of the HKETO in Singapore, Mr Fong Ngai, said the Scheme enables students to be exposed to the work of relevant industries as well as the economic and socio-cultural environments of the host countries in ASEAN. An important element is that proper coaching will be offered by the host organisations to ensure that the students gain meaningful and fruitful internship experiences.
"The Scheme also aims to cultivate students as ambassadors of Hong Kong in the host country in ASEAN and to have them reciprocate upon their return to Hong Kong. The exchanges during the internships will enhance mutual understanding between the people of Hong Kong and ASEAN and the bilateral relations between the economies of Hong Kong and ASEAN. I always believe friendship established when young in a foreign environment will go a long way in the future," Mr Fong said.
Started this summer, the inaugural round of the Scheme has seen some 90 internship places in seven ASEAN countries being taken up by Hong Kong university students, with the majority of the places being in Singapore. The seven ASEAN countries in the inaugural round are Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
"We all see the need for our younger generation to broaden their horizons and foster international perspectives so as to live up to the challenges posed by the era of globalisation. I am glad that the Scheme has been met with an enthusiastic response from the eight University Grants Committee-funded higher education institutions, Hong Kong university students and our ASEAN partners," Mr Fong said.
Those taking part in the inaugural round of the Scheme include the Hong Kong Government and related agencies, Singapore Government-related agencies, international organisations, academic institutions, think tanks, arts and cultural groups and private companies.
Under the Scheme, Hong Kong university students can take up internship in an ASEAN member state for eight to 10 weeks during the summer months from May to the end of August. The HKETO in Singapore is securing internship opportunities through its established networks in ASEAN, and the participating Hong Kong institutions or the students or both are responsible for the other logistical arrangements.
The Scheme has been included in the programme of the 2014 China-ASEAN Cultural Exchange Year, which aims to promote regional cultural exchanges.
Some 100 guests including Hong Kong student interns, representatives from host organisations joining the Scheme and members of the Hong Kong community in Singapore attended the event.
Ends/Thursday, July 31, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:35
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