Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and Yau Lee Holdings Limited (Yau Lee) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today (16 January), marking a significant step towards more comprehensive collaboration. The partnership will span a broad spectrum of areas, including student internships and placements, supervision of students' final-year projects, faculty and researcher exchanges, knowledge transfer, and applied research. The MoU aims to nurture more outstanding professionals and foster innovation and development in the construction industry.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Ricky Kwok Yu-kwong, Vice President (Research and Student Development) of HKMU, and Ir Richard Lee Shiu-ming, General Manager of Yau Lee Construction Company Limited. The signing was witnessed by Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, President of HKMU, and Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, Vice Chairman of Yau Lee Holdings Limited and Council Chairman of HKMU.

President Prof. Paul Lam highlighted that this year marks HKMU's 35^th anniversary, and that the University recently announced its latest Strategic Plan 2024-2028, with Education and Research constituting the Plan's core themes for the provision of professional and practical programmes.

HKMU looks forward to collaborating with Yau Lee to nurture a high-calibre workforce for Hong Kong's construction industry and enhance the professionalism and sustainability of the industry through academic research. The partnership will pave the way for a prosperous future for the industry. “In response to the industry's demand for talent, the University will launch a new programme, the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, in the 2024/25 academic year,” said Prof. Lam. “Throughout this process, we place great emphasis on communication and collaboration with the industry.”

Ir Dr Conrad Wong stated that Yau Lee has a longstanding commitment to the education and development of construction professionals. With Hong Kong's construction industry facing a manpower shortage, it is imperative to nurture a new generation of construction professionals. He pointed out that as a diversified university, HKMU offers a wide range of programmes that empower students to contribute to the community by leveraging their unique strengths and interests. “The construction industry is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's urban development,” he said. “I look forward to this collaboration providing more learning and practice opportunities for those who aspire to a career in the construction industry and to contribute to the future of the industry.”

Through this collaboration, HKMU and Yau Lee will jointly arrange internships and graduate placements, allowing students to apply their knowledge, broaden their perspectives, and gain valuable work experience to prepare them for their future in the construction industry. Both parties will also co-organise career talks and in-class sharing sessions to enhance students' understanding of the construction industry and arrange for industry practitioners to provide advice and mentorship for students' final-year projects.

In addition, academic exchanges will be initiated between HKMU faculty and Yau Lee researchers to promote the holistic and diversified development of the University, its staff and students. Both parties also plan to work together on impactful applied research projects, combining the University's research strengths with the industry's rich skills and experience to create synergy and innovative solutions to issues of concern to the industry and society.