Earlier this year, HKUST Business School and the Hong Kong Science Park (HKSTP) launched the jointly organized program STEM+E2020. The 4-month program was designed for secondary school students to work closely with startup companies at HKSTP and undergraduate students from our School to present practical proposals on technology applications for four startup companies.
Seventy-six students from 11 schools formed 16 working groups. They were mentored by startup companies at HKSTP throughout the program. Students also had the chance to work with their peers from different schools. The teams investigated and formulated practical business plans that focused on solving realistic challenges by using the startup companies’ technologies.
STEM+E2020 proved to be a unique educational program as participants gained experience working with existing startups and authentic technology applications in the market. The completed proposals explored how technology could be applied to provide all-rounded solutions by merging business and entrepreneurial elements.
The final presentations were held online due to social distancing restrictions, commencing with a welcome note from Professor Joseph KOC, Convener of STEM+E Consortium. A panel of judges, including Professor Emily NASON, Associate Dean of the HKUST Business School, Alison CHAN, Managing Director of New Frontier Group, and Peter MOK, Head of Strategic Partnership of HKSTP were impressed by the students’ creativity of transforming their market knowledge into viable and creative business plans. The participants also excelled in responding to in-depth questions with intelligence and a strong team spirit.