CUHK placement scheme a big hit with students, ensures smooth transition from school to workplace
- Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Co-operative Education Programme (Co-op@CUHK) combines classroom-based education with practical work experience
- Scheme is accepting applications from Year 2 students or above, with over 200 places available
By joining Co-op@CUHK, students gain practical work experience while pursuing their academic goals. Photo: ShutterstockJennie Wang, a Year Five engineering student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has experienced a life-changing transformation through the university’s Co-operative Education Programme (Co-op@CUHK).
The scheme, which offers students an opportunity to gain practical work experience while pursuing their academic goals, has had a profound impact on Wang’s life.
She vividly remembers her participation in the Outward Bound Training, a thrilling three-day trip organised under Co-op@CUHK. The training involved a series of exhilarating activities, including jetty jumps, bonfire cooking and challenging hikes.
Reflecting on this experience, Wang said, “The training taught me the importance of embracing uncertainty and taking on challenges head-on. It fostered a sense of leadership and camaraderie among us.”
Following the training, Wang was placed in the Climate & Sustainability Team at ARUP Group Limited, where she engaged in climate resilience design.
She explained, “My daily work mainly focuses on adapting building design to reduce physical risks associated with climate change and enhance resilience.”
“This placement provided me with valuable insights into how professionals approach construction sites with a climate sustainability perspective.”
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Launched in July 2021, Co-op@CUHK is the first plan in Hong Kong that seamlessly combines classroom-based education with practical work experience. It is currently accepting applications from Year Two students or above, with over 200 places available.
Successful applicants will undergo two preparatory courses to facilitate their transition from school to the workplace. They will then be assigned full-time internships lasting between six to eight months, with various industry partners offering competitive pay.
Co-op@CUHK actively collaborates with industry partners, including firms in the Greater Bay Area and other parts of Asia, to provide unique opportunities for students. The scheme aims to broaden students’ understanding of economic growth, cultural diversity and urban development in the region.
Wang experience with the scheme also led her to become a Co-op student ambassador at the Future of Work Summit 2023, organised in partnership with the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Recounting her experience at the summit, she said, “Attending the summit deepened my understanding of the impact of AI on the workforce and allowed me to engage with professionals, policymakers and thought leaders.”
Sven Zajonz, a Year Five student from the faculty of social science, also attests to the transformative power of Co-op@CUHK. During his placement at Deloitte, he benefited from comprehensive career boot-camp training.
Zajonz expressed his appreciation, saying, “The training equipped me with essential interview techniques and instilled confidence in my ability to excel in future interviews.”