Over 2,000 university students compete for 300 internship positions in the Mainland Sponsored by New World Group
The "New Youth New World Summer Internship Programme 2012" jointly organised by New World Development Company Limited ("The Group"; Stock Code: 17.HK) and Hong Kong United Youth Association (HKUYA) attracted an overwhelming response this year. The record-breaking number of applications is a testimony to the cut-throat competition, with over 2,000 of students from seven local universities vying for 300 positions in Mainland Government. Successful candidates will be placed in institutions such as Mainland Government Bureaux, large-cap state-owned enterprises, private corporations and Hong Kong listed companies. Interview sessions were held today to select the outstanding finalists.
The "New Youth New World Summer Internship Programme" has recently marked its sixth anniversary since its inception. This year, successful applicants will benefit from a six-week internship programme in five major cities starting mid-June, specifically Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, Chongqing and Chengdu. The interviewer, Adrian Yip, Chairman of HKUYA, Helen Lu, Vice Chairman of HKUYA, and Maria Cheung, General Manager of Corporate Communication of New World Development Company Limited, met the applicants today to assess their competence based on three essential attributes: intellectual stature, communication skills and general knowledge of the Mainland. In order to show our staunch support, the Group, in addition to sponsoring the programme, has offered numerous positions in its subsidiaries - New World China Land Limited, New World Department Store China Limited, New World TMT Limited and its sister company Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited to successful applicants.
Maria Cheung said: "The Group is committed to nurturing young talent and promoting cultural exchange between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The Group fully supports the programme, which is reflected from our continuous sponsorship of students receiving tertiary education in Hong Kong to gain work experience in varied Mainland organisations. Not only will they be able to acquire in-depth knowledge of business operations in the Mainland and to hone their communication skills, but they may also broaden their grasp of Chinese culture and work practices through the trip. We believe the programme will give them many insights into the best course of becoming future leaders and that will guide their ways to their ultimate career paths.''
The organisers have increased the number of available positions to 300 this year with more openings offered from an array of institutions. Participating organisations include China Central Television (CCTV), the National Palace Museum in Beijing as well as many other renowned state-owned enterprises: China Communications Construction Company Limited, China Railway Group Limited and the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation.
This year, the portfolio of the participating organisations has expanded to include Beijing bureaux, which allow students to work in national government departments and to deepen their understanding of policy drafting and implementation. Students in the scheme will also have the benefit of meeting local officials. Moreover, the organisers have included Chengdu in the programme for the first time in a bid to offer unique working experience in second-tier cities and thus enable students to lay a solid foundation for their career advancement in the future.