Encouraging Young People to Participate in Innovation and Technology Development

Youth I.D.E.A.S. 04

Innovation and technology are driving forces that foster economic development and are crucial factors in enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness. In recent decades, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has put much effort into promoting the development of innovation and technology in different areas, including by investing in related infrastructure, providing financial support and nurturing talent. However, the performance of innovation and technology in Hong Kong is still weak in comparison to other cities or countries.

According to analysis by the Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR Government, in 2013 the value added by the innovation and technology industry was HK$147 billion, which contributed 0.7% to Hong Kong’s gross domestic product (GDP). As for employment in Hong Kong, the industry employed only 32,000 people in 2013 (0.9% of total employment)[1]. Although the Government of the HKSAR has been putting much effort into the development of innovation and technology, the industry still needs further improvement.

Currently, around 6,000 university students graduate from science faculties or engineering and technology faculties every year. Of these graduates, however, those who participate in the innovation and technology industry are unexpectedly few. What should be done to attract young people to participate in this industry and stem the outflow of talent? What are the crucial factors hindering the development of innovation and technology? What are young people’s concerns about participating in this industry? How do the nurturing of talent, the attitudes in society and policymaking affect young people’s incentives to pursue careers in this industry? The above questions are worth an in-depth analysis.

This research study used an online survey of universities, focus-group interviews and interviews with industry experts and academic specialists in order to explore the participants’ perspectives on, and expectations of, young people’s participation in the innovation and technology industry. This study targeted current undergraduate students from science faculties and engineering and technology faculties as well as participants from the innovation and technology industry. The aim was to understand young people’s concerns about choosing to work in this industry, thereby facilitating the formulation of recommendations to encourage them to pursue careers in the industries involved.

Discussion

1. Hong Kong needs further improvements in the development of innovation and technology. Concrete and detailed policies, infrastructure support, the nurturing of talent, sufficient investment, a larger market size and more favourable attitudes in society are the crucial factors.
2. Most of the young people who have received related training and education are not willing to take up careers in the innovation and technology industry. There is great concern over the problem of talent outflow.
3. Young people feel the need to gain practical experience during learning. Increasing the opportunities to come to grips with innovation and technology would strengthen their understanding and interest in related areas.
4. Young people are dissatisfied with the current performance of innovation and technology in Hong Kong and find the government’s emphasis on innovation and technology insufficient. There is a need to strengthen the input of resources and support.
5. Young people have expectations regarding the Innovation and Technology Bureau’s role in facilitating communication and co-operation among the government, industry, academia and the research sector.

Recommendation

1. There should be more provision of local and overseas internship opportunities for undergraduates from science faculties and engineering and technology faculties; these would enrich the undergraduates’ lives.
2. Co-operation between universities and private enterprises should be encouraged, and young people at universities should be helped to commercialise their innovative ideas and R&D deliverables.
3. The government needs to set a lead by using innovative technological products from local enterprises, in order to provide these enterprises with official recognition and encouragement.
4. Possessing a globalisation mindset should be encouraged and the overseas market should be expanded, thereby creating more job opportunities in innovation and technology industry within Hong Kong.
5. Promoting and drawing attention to innovation and technology at school and in the public at large is called for. This includes launching more cross-programme courses, diverse innovative activities (including competitions) and setting up huge exhibitions to promote the latest innovative technological products, as well as promoting examples of success in developing innovation and technology business through various social media.

[1] Census and Statistics Department of the HKSAR Government, ‘The Four Key Industries and Other Selected Industries in the Hong Kong Economy’, Hong Kong Monthly Digest of Statistics, April 2015, pp. FA9-FA10