Co-op@CUHK Annual Ceremony 2026
Event Recap – Co-op@CUHK Annual Ceremony 2026
Co-op@CUHK: Hong Kong’s First University-Industry Co-operative Education Programme
Empowering Students to Enhance Employability, Connect Globally, and Cultivate an International Perspective
One of the founding philosophies of a university is to provide students with quality education and help them achieve meaningful careers. Since 2021, CUHK has launched Hong Kong’s first university-industry co-operative education programme—Co-op@CUHK. It offers participating students six to eight months of full-time, full-pay, and full-credit work placements. Over the years, Co-op@CUHK has equipped more than 1,000 students to kickstart their careers and cultivated the next generation of leadership talent for employers. The Co-op@CUHK Annual Ceremony 2026 was held on 20 March, where over 450 valued partners, employer representatives and students gathered to witness the programme’s achievements.
Professor Isabella POON, Provost of CUHK, delivered the welcoming remarks and underscored, ‘With the frequent exchanges between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road regions, we have a growing need for students with an international perspective. We have actively expanded the reach of Co-op@CUHK to the Chinese Mainland and overseas. Students can gain valuable work experience in the Greater Bay Area, Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese Mainland cities, as well as in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, and others, creating a wealth of non-local career opportunities to broaden their global horizons.’
Shalina TELAGA, a fifth-year Biomedical Sciences student from Indonesia, serves as a compelling example. Through Co-op@CUHK, Shalina was placed at Daido Life Insurance Company in Japan. This experience led her to realise that while one’s academic discipline may differ from their professional role, the underlying mindsets are highly transferable. Shalina noted, ‘The analytical mindset I developed in science—asking precise questions, breaking down complexity, working with evidence—translated directly into innovation and strategy. This journey showed me that growth happens when we allow ourselves to cross boundaries.’
Co-op@CUHK emphasises the integration of theory and practice. After completing pre-placement preparatory courses, students have the opportunity to be matched with a six-to-eight-month full-time, full-pay, and full-credit work placement to apply and enhance their professional knowledge and skills. Professor Irwin KING, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) of CUHK, told the Co-op students, ‘Through Co-op@CUHK, I believe students have learnt to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and solve problems in a rapidly changing environment. Concurrently, students have learnt to flexibly translate theoretical knowledge into practical real-world applications. Most importantly, we hope students maintain a mindset of growth and continuous exploration.’
Lydia ZHANG, a third-year English major from the Chinese Mainland, enrolled in Co-op@CUHK and joined Trip.com Group in the Chinese Mainland with the proactive mindset of exploration. Lydia shared, ‘As an English major, despite my love for English, I did not want to become a teacher or an academic researcher. Co-op@CUHK supported me in entering the marketing industry, and I was surprised to learn that my English language skills are highly valuable in a professional setting. This experience has given me a much more optimistic outlook on my future career path.’
Jake MAYNARD, a fourth-year Integrated BBA student who worked at Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation through Co-op@CUHK, stated, ‘Within six months, I gained so many hands-on experiences managing events, tackling both frontend and backend tasks, and made friends with interns from all across the world with HKSTP global internship programme – something I never imagined before working at HKSTP.’
The Ceremony featured enchanting a cappella performances of ‘Stand by Me’ and ‘The Longest Time’ by CUHK Music majors, in tribute to the valued partners for their enduring and unwavering support. The event concluded with a grand finale: a mass singalong of ‘Dancing Queen’, encouraging students to learn to ‘dance in the rain’ when facing challenges. Three Co-op students shared their experiences with Co-op@CUHK, followed by a pledge-taking ceremony by the incoming cohort, symbolising Co-op@CUHK’s continuity. This year’s Co-op@CUHK recruited over 300 students from six faculties (including interdisciplinary programmes) through a rigorous selection process. These students hail from 15 countries and regions, including Mauritius, Mongolia and Russia.
The sustained growth of Co-op@CUHK is supported by the generous sponsorship of the Lee Hysan Foundation. Ms. Cecilia HO, President of the Lee Hysan Foundation, served as an officiating guest during the ceremony and highlighted, ‘From sponsoring the construction of various campus buildings to investing in the next generation through Co-op@CUHK, the Lee Hysan Foundation has remained steadfast in its support of CUHK’s development. While we do not provide direct placement opportunities, we contribute by imparting values and experience to students, enhancing their resilience, collaborative skills, and global perspectives to shape them into the leaders of tomorrow.’
Mr. Terry WONG, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Co-op@CUHK’s corporate partner, pointed out, ‘By welcoming students to HKSTP through Co-op@CUHK, we are offering more than just a job. We are inviting them to co-build an innovation and technology ecosystem where students, startups and industry partners grow together. We integrate talent, capital, research and enterprise into this ecosystem to transform ideas into tangible solutions. Therefore, do not wait until graduation to join us and become a part of our community as early as possible.’
Co-op@CUHK has shown significant results. To date, corporate partners have increased to over 130, providing more than 700 local, Chinese Mainland, and overseas placement opportunities. Mr. Paul CHENG, Co-op@CUHK Advisory Board Member, and CUHK Honorary Fellow, recognised, ‘For students, Co-op@CUHK enhances professional skills and prepares them for the workplace before graduation. For employers, it allows them to identify and recruit young talent, building a talent pool early. Co-op@CUHK also contributes to Hong Kong’s ongoing key role in national development by aligning talent growth with national development strategies.’
About the Co-operative Education Programme (Co-op@CUHK)
Co-op@CUHK is Hong Kong’s first university-industry co-operative education programme, open to CUHK undergraduates in their second year or above. Students joining the programme take part in preparatory courses before being matched with employers for full-time, full-pay, and full-credit work placements of six to eight months. In addition to fostering professional competencies and career readiness through extended work placement opportunities, Co-op@CUHK serves as a conduit for corporations to identify promising talent. At the same time, it enables CUHK to better collaborate with employers and provides students with the skills and knowledge society needs. Since its inception in 2021, Co-op@CUHK has garnered extensive support from corporate and industry partners, as well as members of the University and students. For details, please visit https://coop.cuhk.edu.hk.
A full house of distinguished guests, University Officers, corporate partners and Co-op@CUHK students celebrated experiential learning and future-ready talent development.
Professor Isabella POON, Provost of CUHK, delivered warm and visionary welcoming remarks, underscoring the programme’s commitment to expanding into the Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, creating abundant cross-regional placement opportunities for students.
Professor Irwin KING, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) of CUHK, presented heartfelt remarks during the stole presentation, reminding Co-op students to maintain a mindset of growth and continuous exploration.
Ms. Cecilia HO, President of the Lee Hysan Foundation, officiating guest of the Ceremony, delivered an inspiring speech at the Ceremony, sharing powerful aspirations on instilling invaluable experiences and values in students, nurturing them into future leaders.
Mr. Terry WONG, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), officiating guest of the Ceremony, remarked in his speech that HKSTP offers students more than merely a job position, but also a shared mission and vision to build the innovation and technology ecosystem together.
Professor Irwin KING (front row, fourth from the left), Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) of CUHK, presented stoles to graduating Co-op@CUHK students.
(Front row, from left to right) Yuyu XIA from Malaysia; Amadeus MULIAWAN from Indonesia; Ellie PARK from South Korea; and Ethan IP from Hong Kong are the emcees of the Ceremony. Janson CHIU (back row, fifth from the right) led 9CUHK Music majors to infuse vibrant energy into the Ceremony with their performances.
(From left to right) Shalina TELAGA from Indonesia; Jake MAYNARD from Hong Kong; and Lydia ZHANG from the Chinese Mainland captivated the audience as they shared their highlights and takeaways from their Co-op@CUHK journey.
(From left to right) Kloe LAU from Hong Kong; Meir IGNATEV from Russia; and Samantha XIA from the Chinese Mainland led a collective pledge on behalf of the latest cohort of Co-op@CUHK students, vowing to uphold the University’s motto—‘Through learning and temperance to virtue’—and to foster a dynamic Co-op@CUHK community.
Mr. Paul CHENG, Co-op@CUHK Advisory Board Member, and CUHK Honorary Fellow (middle in the photo), graced the ceremony to celebrate the achievements of the past cohort and to extend his best wishes to the new cohort.
Over 450 valued partners, employer representatives and students gathered for the Co-op@CUHK Annual Ceremony 2026, which drew a full house in a vibrant showcase of shared achievement.
The two officiating guests joined CUHK University Officers for a group photo at the venue of the Ceremony.
(From left to right) Professor Irwin KING, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) of CUHK; Professor Anthony CHAN, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Alumni / Community Engagement & Institutional Advancement); Ms. Cecilia HO, President of the Lee Hysan Foundation, officiating guest of the Ceremony; Mr. Terry WONG, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), officiating guest of the Ceremony; Professor Isabella POON, Provost of CUHK; Ms Fanny WONG, Chief Talent Officer of HKSTP; and Dr. John LAI, Director, Office of Co-operative Education Programme.
Co-op@CUHK students posed for a photo in front of a magazine-style installation outside the venue of the Ceremony, marking a memorable close to their Co-op@CUHK journey.
Co-op@CUHK students had the opportunity to mingle and network with corporate partners, broaden their professional connections, and engage in lively exchanges.
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For industry partners interested in further collaboration or student recruitment opportunities, please feel free to contact us at: coop-recruit@cuhk.edu.hk.