The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) hosted the annual Work-integrated Learning Day (WIL Day) on 19 March 2026 at the Exhibition Hall of Chai Wan Campus. The event attracted approximately 70 participants, including esteemed industry partners, dedicated academics, and enthusiastic students. It highlighted THEi’s profound commitment to providing graduates with invaluable practical experience and fostering robust collaboration between institute and industry.
The day commenced with Professor Alan LAU, President of THEi, delivering the opening remarks. Professor Lau expressed heartfelt gratitude to industry partners for their unwavering support for THEi’s unique Work-integrated Learning (WIL) programme. He highlighted THEi’s distinctive approach, explaining that students undertake 6 to 12 months of WIL during their undergraduate studies, a duration significantly longer than common internships. He emphasised how this extended practical exposure enabled students to gain hands-on experience, apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, and ultimately become “work-ready” upon graduation. Professor Lau encouraged industry partners to actively communicate their WIL needs to THEi staff, ensuring the programme remained aligned with evolving market demands.
A central feature of WIL Day was the presentation of the WIL Excellence Award, which acknowledged the exemplary collaboration between industry partners, academics, and students. This year, three outstanding teams were recognized for their exceptional performance:
- Team 1: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Product Design
Student: Ms KONG Kwai Kai, Year-4 student
Industry Supervisor: Mr Richard LEUNG, CEO of BNET-TECH Company Limited
Academic Supervisor: Mr Henry YU, Assistant Professor, Department of Design and Architecture
- Team 2: Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information and Communications Technology
Student: Mr Alain CHAN, Graduate of 2025
Industry Supervisor: Mr Sunny YAURY, Founder & Director of United Technologies (Int’l) Ltd.
Academic Supervisor: Mr Tommy LAU, Lecturer, Department of Digital Innovation and Technology
- Team 3: Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nutrition and Healthcare Management
Student: Mr LING Ka Chun, Year-4 student
Industry Supervisor: Mr Aaron CHAN, Dietitian of Kowloon City District Health Centre Express
Academic Supervisor: Dr Marvin MAK, Lecturer, Department of Food and Health Sciences
Professor Lau presented the award to Team 1. Ms. KONG Kwai Kai, a Year-4 student, shared her invaluable experience, noting how WIL had allowed her to integrate academic knowledge into the workplace and gain skills in applying design to commercial contexts and project management. Mr Richard LEUNG, CEO of BNET-TECH Company Limited, expressed his honour in hosting the product design student for WIL, particularly for her involvement in his company’s elderly technology project. Mr Henry YU, Assistant Professor of the Department of Design and Architecture, offered practical advice to students seeking WIL opportunities, recommending engagement with professional associations and networking at industry meetups and alumni events.
Professor Paul TSANG, Vice President (Academic), presented the WIL Excellence Awards to Team 2. Mr Sunny YAURY, Director of United Technologies (Int’l) Ltd., commended THEi students for their impressive attributes, including their practical and results-oriented approach, willingness to contribute, and reliability. Mr Tommy LAU, Lecturer of the Department of Digital Innovation and Technology, extended his appreciation to industry for their crucial support in preparing students for their careers. A highlight was a video message from Mr Alain CHAN, a 2025 graduate now pursuing his master’s degree in the UK. Alain expressed gratitude for his WIL placement at United Technologies (Int’l) Ltd. and his involvement in the “Smart Attendance” project, which remarkably won the Best Growth Award in The Hong Kong HR Awards 2023/24.
The final WIL Excellence Award was presented by Mr Edmund LI, Vice President (Operation and Enterprise). Dr Marvin MAK, Lecturer of the Department of Food and Health Sciences, thanked the industry partner for providing a valuable real-world experience. Dr Mak highlighted the continuous support provided to students through a dedicated hotline manned by the teaching team. Mr LING Ka Chun, a Year-4 student, shared his diverse experiences, including conducting outreach programmes for health promotion and designing interactive games for various service users. He particularly noted how he overcame challenges in liaising with service users by applying different languages, a skill he believed would be vital in his future career.
Beyond the awards, a significant development showcased at the event was the full implementation of the WIL Digital Platform (WILDP). Following the launch of its Assessment Function in Academic Year 2024/25, the Job Function was then fully operational. A demonstration video illustrated how this feature would streamline WIL recruitment, enhance direct communication between students and industry partners, and provide students with a stimulated experience of the job application process.
WIL Day 2026 also featured two distinguished speakers. Mr Atung LEE, an expert in digital transformation, shared insights into popular and useful AI tools for administrative tasks, demonstrating practical skills in transforming website content into PowerPoint presentations. Following his presentation, Ir Dr Andy Kwong, an expert in Cybersecurity, addressed the latest trends and critical awareness needed for cybersecurity protection.
The active involvement of industry partners, academics, and students throughout the event, coupled with invaluable insights and practical strategies shared by WIL Excellence Award winners and expert speakers on emerging trends and best practices, collectively ensured WIL Day 2026 was a resounding success. This landmark event not only fostered invaluable connections and inspired new initiatives across sectors, but also significantly reinforced THEi’s pioneering leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing Work-integrated Learning as a foundation of future-ready education.