ASEAN Internship Scheme for Hong Kong Higher Education Students

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is committed to nurturing young people and better preparing them to meet the challenges of an ever-changing global environment. In 2014, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Singapore launched the ASEAN Internship Scheme for Hong Kong Higher Education Students with the aim of widening students' international perspectives and enhancing bilateral relations between Hong Kong and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). With the subsequent establishment of HKETOs in Jakarta and Bangkok in 2017 and 2019 respectively, the three offices now jointly administer the scheme by identifying internship opportunities in the ASEAN countries under their respective purview.

Since its launch, the scheme has met with very positive response, drawing the participation of over 930 students from 11 Hong Kong higher education institutions. Our past host organisations include government/statutory bodies, international organisations, universities, cultural organisations and private companies in different industries.

We hope that the young generation will seize this valuable opportunity to gain a better understanding of the fast-growing ASEAN region with which Hong Kong is developing increasingly close ties on all fronts.

We look forward to the continued support from both the Hong Kong higher education institutions and the host organisations to make the scheme a success.

Vision & mission

The internship scheme aims to:

• give students first-hand practical experience in a field related to their career interest, with exposure to the socio-economic environment of the ASEAN region;
• cultivate students as the “ambassadors” of Hong Kong in the ASEAN region, and vice versa upon their return to Hong Kong, to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen the ties between Hong Kong and the ASEAN member countries;
• foster exchanges at university and industry levels between Hong Kong and ASEAN member countries to unleash potential for future cross-sectoral collaborations;
• groom a generation of culturally savvy leaders of tomorrow to benefit both Hong Kong and ASEAN member countries.

Why should I join?

As a Host Organisation, you can bring in cross-cultural experience to your workplace, tap the creative minds and varied skills of Hong Kong’s young generation, identify potential talents to assist in your future expansion in ASEAN or Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), and build networks with some of the potential next-generation leaders.

As a student, you will have the opportunity to broaden your international perspectives on ASEAN, which is Hong Kong’s second largest trading partner if taken as a bloc, and is a fast-growing region with which Hong Kong enjoys long-established ties. You can hone your skills in an industry of your career interest, gain new perspectives from others’ practices, and learn to collaborate with people from a different culture. You can also explore the scenery and rich cultural fabric of ASEAN country during the leisure time, and embark on a transformative journey that combines work and travel with deep cultural exchanges.

What are the requirements?

For a Host Organisation, the minimum requirement is the provision of internship opportunities with proper coaching and sufficient immersion in the industry environment. All other logistical matters will be taken care of by the Hong Kong Institutions and/or the student interns concerned.

For a student, you have to be a full-time student in one of the Hong Kong Institutions and meet other eligibility requirements specified by the institution, the Host Organisation, as well as the applicable visa/entry regulations of your intended country of internship placement.

For the key features and details of the coming round of the Scheme, please see Key Information.