Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) held its first post-epidemic large-scale physical career fair from 7 to 9 March, bringing together more than 100 multinational enterprises and large organisations from over 20 industries, including information technology, construction, engineering, accounting, finance, entertainment, hospitality, tourism, testing and certification, and healthcare, offering more than 2,000 job and internship opportunities for recent graduates and students.
HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing said at the career fair that the number of participating companies this year was a record high and double that of last year, reflecting the rebound in the job market and recognition of HKMU students' calibre and performance by employers.
Prof. Lam said, “The University is committed to equipping our students in all respects and enhancing their career readiness to guide them on their ideal career path. We will also continue to build closer partnerships with a wide range of industries to better understand market needs and provide talent with professional knowledge and capabilities for Hong Kong.”
He added that the University had been quick to respond to the needs of society and various industries through flexible programmes. For instance, HKMU received a HK$40.6 million grant from the Education Bureau to offer the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Construction Management and Surveying programme in the 2024/25 academic year to address demand for professionals in the construction and engineering sector.
The three-day fair attracted the participation of over 3,000 students. On-site recruitment seminars, a CV Clinic and professional photo-taking services were provided to help students stand out from the crowd of fellow job seekers.
Participating companies included Cathay Pacific Services Limited, Ernst & Young (EY), Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Yip Holdings Limited, IKEA, Lenovo PCCW Solutions Limited. Attending employers felt that the fair provided an excellent platform for them to identify potential talent. A representative from Yau Lee Holdings Limited, who participated in the fair for the second year, said that HKMU was very proactive in helping companies scout outstanding talent. The company hired several engineering interns from the University last year and was impressed by their proactive and can-do attitude towards learning and working, he added.
A representative of Mazars in Hong Kong said Mazars valued its relationship with the University, adding: “HKMU graduates are dedicated to their work, and we look forward to having more HKMU graduates join us.”
Kinetix Systems Limited was also very satisfied with the performance of HKMU graduates. A company representative said, “HKMU graduates are highly skilled in technical areas, while at the same time they have a very practical mindset.” The company also thought that the physical expo provided an opportunity for direct interaction, which was conducive to establishing closer ties with the students and enabling a more comprehensive demonstration of the corporate vision.
To better equip students for the job market, HKMU's Student Affairs Office designated March as “Career Month”. Kicking off with the career fair, a series of career-related activities, including career talks, industry sharing and company visits, will follow this month to help students get a head start in their future career.