The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has launched the “Top Technology Scholar Programme” to attract Masters and PhD degree holders who have graduated within the previous two years to join ASTRI.
Programme participants will engage in important research projects and gain experience related to the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Those who achieve their performance targets for the first year will be promoted and get a pay rise. After completing the two-year plan, they will be awarded scholarships.
The Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI stated that in addition to developing cutting-edge applied technologies, ASTRI’s mission includes nurturing innovation and technology (I&T) talents for Hong Kong. ASTRI is working to attract outstanding advanced degree holders.
Those participating in the programme will gain practical experience in research and development (R&D) in ASTRI. ASTRI, along with its network, will broaden participants’ horizons and equip them to seize I&T opportunities in the GBA and worldwide, in addition to learning about the keys to success for start-ups. He added that ASTRI will continue to adopt new thinking to nurture I&T talents and help advance Hong Kong’s I&T.
ASTRI has been providing tailor-made technological solutions for various enterprises and public bodies to help them solve problems and improve operational efficiency. Its technologies are applied across various areas, including Smart City, Financial Technologies, Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, and Application-Specific Integrated Circuits, creating a far-reaching impact.
The Programme welcomes both local and non-local talents who have graduated from graduate schools within the previous two years. The selected candidates will engage in important ASTRI R&D projects. Given ASTRI’s R&D collaboration with many enterprises and institutions in the GBA, the candidates will be able to gain GBA experience and visit industry giants in the area. If the epidemic situation allows, ASTRI will arrange for the participants to go overseas for training and knowledge exchange. Participants can also visit start-ups to learn about their business models.
ASTRI’s management team members or professionals in the I&T sector will serve as mentors for the participants and share their experience and insights. In addition to receiving internal training, the participants can apply for sponsorships to take up to 24 hours of external courses and will have the opportunity to participate in events organised by top I&T ecosystem alliance members and in corporate social responsibility projects.
After one year of employment, programme participants who reach their key performance targets will be promoted and get a pay rise. After completing the two-year plan, Master’s and doctoral graduates will receive scholarships of HK$50,000 and $80,000, respectively.
Hong Kong is working to develop local tech talent. Recently, the Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) presented T2 – the city’s first ever Innovation Tech x Talent month that showcased the fast-growing wealth of I&T opportunities emerging from the city’s innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. The Park is expanding its search for talent as demand soars with more start-ups than ever setting up in Hong Kong and funding pouring into Hong Kong’s I&T sector.
The month-long talent drive features the city’s largest-ever I&T Career Expo with over 2,800 career opportunities from over 270 tech companies. Combined with an expanded programme across three key tracks, namely “Deep Tech Training”, “Innovative Thinking Workshops and Idea Pitching” and “Upskilling Series (Fintech)”, the talent drive promises new career paths for local and global talent at all stages of their careers, professionals from other sectors, as well young students from all backgrounds.
The CEO at HKSTP stated that the Park is committed to propelling Hong Kong I&T into a global force and is prioritising talent as the city’s most critical innovation imperative. With its partners, HKSTP is creating a wealth of opportunities for local and global technology specialists to entrepreneurs, investors to seasoned industry experts, to cement the city’s status as global magnet for diverse talent from all sectors and backgrounds.
Over the past five years, rapid growth has been witnessed in the total number and amount of funding attracted by park companies, indicating a growing appetite to invest in local I&T start-ups. The surging interest and growth in I&T is proof of the sector’s growing importance and its appeal as an in-demand career path for today and tomorrow.