The Department of Management (MGT) held its annual two-day Residential Workshop entitled “Developing a meaningful life and career” on 21 and 22 January at the Regal Kowloon Hotel. Renowned guests from various sectors and outstanding CityU alumni were invited to share their valuable work and life experiences with more than 70 final-year students within the Department. Dr the Honourable Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, GBS, JP, President of Legislative Council of the HKSAR, was invited to give the keynote speech.

 

The workshop, held every year since 2002, demonstrates how CityU provides professional education, bridging textbook knowledge to the real working environment. It provides final-year Business Administration students in Human Resources Management and International Business (Japan Studies) with an opportunity to gain insightful knowledge which will help them develop the key competencies needed by human resources or international business professionals in the future.

 

“Graduation is not an end, but the beginning of the next stage of your life,” said Professor Leung Kwok, Head of MGT, in his opening speech. “We not only help you with the learning process, but we also make use of our close links with industry to help start your career. I hope all of the students here grasp this golden chance to learn and to prepare well for the future,” he said.

 

After Dr Fan’s keynote speech, Mr Paul Chan, JP, Deputy Executive Director of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, shared his views on the role of community participation in developing a successful career. Mr David Lam, Managing Director of Experiential Development, helped students learn the soft skills needed in the workplace through hands-on activities.

 

On Day Two of the workshop, recent CityU alumni shared their stories about career development and their experience in human resources and international business.

 

Mr John Lai, an instructor in MGT and the organizer of the workshop, has received a great deal of positive feedback from previous workshop participants. “Many students have found the workshops very rewarding and they have learnt a lot of practical knowledge and skills that go beyond textbooks. We will continue to provide similar learning opportunities for our students,” Mr Lai said.

 

The Residential Workshop is a key activity on the Career Development Programme which was initiated by MGT to help final-year students make the transition from school to work. The Programme provides career counseling services and organizes the Workplace Success Workshop, which helps students develop soft skills for the workplace.