Future employment and career issues dominated conversation at a special dinner arranged by the Career and Internship Office (CAIO) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 30 March.

CityU students mingled with employers from different industries at the event, which was sponsored by the Lions Club of Metropolitan Hong Kong and the CityU Eminence Society. The aim of the dinner, titled “Professionalism: The Authentic Recipe”, was to provide a platform for direct interactions and enhance understanding between employers and students.

Around 240 students found out through networking opportunities with over 100 representatives from around 80 local and international companies exactly what employers expect of fresh graduates and how to present themselves as professionals in the world of work. There were representatives from accounting and auditing, finance and banking, construction, retail, telecom, airlines, and legal and welfare services.

In his address, Professor Arthur Ellis, Provost of CityU, thanked the Lions Club and the CityU Eminence Society for their generous sponsorship. He said CityU has marinated a unique discovery-enriched curriculum using ingredients that encourage students to make an original discovery. The curriculum will be implemented fully when the new 4-year degree structure begins in Hong Kong in 2012.

“Tonight is an important event for us,” Professor Ellis said. “We receive feedback from our partners in industry on our education, a process that makes sure we continue to produce wonderful graduates who contribute to Hong Kong and the world.”

In her welcoming speech, Ms Cecilia Kwok Sau-fong, Director of CAIO, said the dinner was a great opportunity for sharing, interacting, connecting and learning. “The final-year students will graduate in two months’ time to start a new chapter in their lives, and so it is the time to let our students’ talent shine,” she said.

Mr Simon Hui, Function Chairman, 1st Vice President of the Lions Club of Metropolitan Hong Kong and CEO of EPSA Corp Ltd; Mr Ludwig Ng, President of the Lions Club of Metropolitan Hong Kong; and Mr Wilson Chan, Honorary Secretary of the CityU Eminence Society, shared their views on professionalism and encouraged students to learn as much as they can from their seniors so as to better equip themselves.

Mr Francis Mok, Group Human Resource Director, Jebsen & Co Ltd, and President of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management, delivered the keynote speech, titled “Spice Up Your Professional Life”, in which he shared his observations about the economy and employment markets in Hong Kong and mainland China.

He said this is a promising market for graduates as most employers are looking to hire, especially in construction, property and real estate management, energy, and banking and finance. He concluded by saying that CEO should actually stand for “Capability, Exposure and Opportunity”, as all three contribute to success.

Participating students said they treasured the opportunity the dinner offered because they could find out what kind of graduates employers are really looking for.