an overview of the stem internship scheme background
TRANSCRIPT
9 August 2021
An Overview of the STEM Internship Scheme
Background
In 2020, the Innovation and Technology Commission (“ITC”) has set up under the
Innovation and Technology Fund the STEM Internship Scheme (the “Scheme”) to
encourage STEM students to gain innovation and technology (“I&T”)-related work
experience during their studies and to foster their interest in pursuing a career in I&T
after graduation, so as to enlarge the local I&T talent pool. Under the Scheme,
allowance will be provided for undergraduates and postgraduates taking university
full-time STEM1 programmes funded by the University Grants Committee (“UGC”)
to enrol in short-term internships.
Eligible Universities
Tertiary institutions in Hong Kong funded by the UGC offering full-time STEM
programmes are eligible to receive funding under the Scheme. Individual universities
may supplement further requirements and make specific arrangements to suit their own
circumstances, subject to prior agreement of ITC.
Eligibility of Students
The Scheme is open to undergraduates and postgraduates enrolled in one of the
full-time eligible STEM-related programmes offered by the participating Universities.
Non-local students are allowed to enrol in internships in Hong Kong only, subject to
their conditions of stay.
Eligibility of Employers
All companies/ organisations are welcomed to offer I&T-related internship places for,
and recruit interns benefited from the Scheme, subject to the arrangements of
individual universities.
1 STEM refers to the academic disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
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Participating employers may pay the student interns a monthly honorarium on top of
the allowance under the Scheme with reference to their internal policies, industry
benchmarks or market rates2.
Internship Placements
Internship places can be newly created or belong to existing in-house internship
programmes of the companies/organisations. They have to meet the following
requirements ‒
1. full-time placements in Hong Kong, Mainland China or overseas with duration of
at least four consecutive weeks (28 calendar days); and
2. offer meaningful I&T-related work, subject to the vetting of the universities.
The Scheme has adopted a broad definition of I&T under which an internship place
will be regarded as I&T-related as long as its actual work contains I&T elements (e.g.
technology-related intellectual property work, digital marketing, data analysis for the
manufacturing industry, etc.). Participating employers may pay a monthly
honorarium during the internship period on top of the allowance under the Scheme.
They have full discretion in determining the honorarium level (without affecting the
allowance received by the student interns under the Scheme) with reference to their
internal policies, industry benchmarks or market rates3.
Allowance and Funding
The student interns will receive the allowance subject to the arrangements of individual
universities. The current allowance for each student intern under the Scheme is
HK$10,500 per month3, with a cap as prescribed by individual universities, but not
more than three months in each academic year. ITC will disburse the funding to the
universities on a reimbursement basis.
2 The employers in Hong Kong should also observe the relevant requirements under the Minimum Wages
Ordinance (Cap. 608). Further information is available at the website of the Labour Department
(https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_smw.htm).
3 For the purpose of calculating allowance under the Scheme, one month has 30 days.
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Application Procedures and Arrangements
Individual universities have prescribed their respective application procedures and
arrangements. Interested students and employers are welcomed to approach the
following universities –
University Contact4
The Hong Kong University of Science
and Technology
Career Center
Tel: (852) 2358 6688
Email: [email protected]
The University of Hong Kong The Centre of Development and
Resources for Students
Tel: (852) 3917 2317
Email: [email protected]
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Ms Somnus Wan
Tel: (852) 3943 1730
Email: [email protected]
Miss Bernice Kum
Tel: (852) 3943 1731
Email: [email protected]
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Careers and Placement Section, Student
Affairs Office
Tel: (852) 2766 5113
Email: [email protected]
City University of Hong Kong Miss Cherie Cheng
Tel: (852) 3442 5492
Email: [email protected]
Hong Kong Baptist University Miss Penny Lo
Career Centre
Tel: (852) 3411 5278
Email: [email protected]
The Education University of Hong Kong Career Development Service
Tel: (852) 2948 6246
Email: [email protected]
4 Please refer to the Scheme website (https://www.itf.gov.hk/en/funding-programmes/nurturing-talent/stem-
internship-scheme/index.html) for the latest information.
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「 創科實習計劃 」 概覽
背景
創新科技署 於 2020 年 在「創新及科技基金 」下設 立「創科實習計劃 」(「計
劃 」),鼓 勵 STEM 學生在修讀有關學科期 間,體驗與創 新及 科 技(「創科 」)
相關的工作,及早培養他們對在畢業後投身創科事業的興趣,藉 此 壯大本
地的創科人才庫。 修讀 大學教育資助委員會 ( 「 教資會 」 ) 資助 的大學 全
日制 STEM 1課 程 的 本 科 生 及 研 究 生 參 與 與 創 科 相 關 的 短期實習 會獲得 津貼 。
合資格大學
獲教資會資助 開設 全日制 STEM 課程的 本港大 專 院校 均合資 格 獲「 計 劃 」資
助 。各大學可 因 應 本身的情況, 訂定 進一步的 補充 規 定 和作出具體 安 排 ,
惟須 得創新科技署同意 。
合 資格的學生
修讀由 參與 大 學 開 設 的 其 中 一 個 全 日 制 合 資 格 與 STEM 有關 課程 的 本科生
及研究生 可 參 加 「 計劃 」 。非本地生只可在香港參加實習工作 , 並須符合
其逗留條件 。
1 STEM 指 科 學 、 科 技 、 工 程 和 數 學 學 科 。
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合 資格的僱主
「計劃 」 歡 迎 所有公 司 ∕ 機 構 因應各大學的安排 , 提 供與創科相關的 實習
職 位 ,以及 聘 用 受惠於「計劃 」 的實習 學 生 。
參 與「計 劃 」的 僱主 可 因應 其內 部 政 策、業 界 標 準 或市 場 水 平,在「計 劃 」
的津 貼 以 外 , 向實習學生發放每 月 酬金 2。
實習職位
實習職位可以是新設或屬公司 ∕ 機構現有內部實習計劃 的職位 , 惟 須符合以
下規定 ︰
1. 在 香 港、內 地 或 海 外 的 全職 職 位,為 期 不少於 連 續 四 個星 期( 28 曆日 );
以及
2. 提供 與創科相 關 而 有 實質 意義的工作 ( 須經 有 關 大學審 批 ) 。
「計劃 」 採用比較寬鬆的創科定義, 凡 實習職位的實際工作包含創科元素
( 例如與科技有關的知識產權工作、數碼市場推廣及用於製造業的數據分
析等 ), 即視為 與 創 科 相 關 。 參 與「計 劃 」的僱 主 在實習期內可 在「計 劃 」
的津 貼 以 外 , 發放每 月 酬金, 並因應 其內 部 政 策 、業 界 標 準 或市 場 水平,
2 香港僱主 亦 須 遵 守 《 最 低 工 資 條 例 》( 第 6 0 8 章 ) 的 有 關 規 定 , 詳 情 參 閱 勞 工 署 網
頁 (https://www.labour.gov.hk/tc/public/content2_smw.htm)。
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全權釐定 酬金 的 水平 3 ( 惟 不 得 影響實習 學生 在計劃下獲得的津貼 額 )。
津貼及資助
實習學生將 按 照 各大學的安排 獲 得 津 貼 。 現時 「 計 劃 」 下 每名實習學生的
津貼 額 為 每 月 港幣 1 0 , 5 0 0 元 3, 津 貼 期 上 限 由 各 大 學 釐 定 , 惟 每 學 年 不 得 超
過 三個月。創新科 技 署 會以發還款項 方式向大學發放資助。
申請程序及安排
各大學已訂明 各自 的申 請 程 序 及安 排 ,有 意參加 的學生 及 僱主可 與以 下大
學聯絡 ︰
大學 聯 絡 方 法 4
香港科技大學 人力資源處
電話:(852) 2358 6688
香港大學 學生發展及資源中心
電話:(852) 3917 2317
香港中文大學 温小姐
電話:(852) 3943 1730
甘小姐
電話:(852) 3943 1731
3 就 計算 「 計劃 」 的 津 貼 而言 , 每 月 有 30 日。
4 請 參 考 「 計 劃 」 網 站 ( h t t p s : / / w w w . i t f . g o v . h k / t c / f u n d i n g - p r o g r a m m e s / n u r t u r i n g - t
a l e n t / s t e m - i n t e r n s h i p - s c h e m e / i n d e x . h t m l ) 以 獲 取 最 新 資 訊 。
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大學 聯 絡 方 法 4
香港理工大學 學生事務處就業服務部
電話:(852) 2766 5113
香港城市大學 鄭小姐
電話:(852) 3442 5492
香 港浸會大學 盧佩儀小姐
事業策劃中心 電話:(852)
3411 5278 電郵:
香港教育大學 事業發展服務
電話:(852) 2948 6246
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STEM Internship Scheme List
of Eligible STEM Courses
(for Academic Year 2020/21)
CityU
Programme Code
1 Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering (options: BEng
Architectural Engineering, BEng Civil Engineering, BSc Surveying)
BDACE/U
2 Bachelor of Engineering in Architectural Engineering BENG/AE
3 Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering BENG/CVE
4 Bachelor of Science in Surveying BSC/SURV
5 Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics BSC/AP
6 Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Engineering BENG/MAE
7 Bachelor of Engineering in Computer and Data Engineering BENG/CDE
8 Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic and Communication
Engineering
BENG/ECE
9 Bachelor of Engineering in Information Engineering BENG/INFE
10 School of Creative Media (options: BA Creative Media, BSc
Creative Media, BAS New Media)
BDSCM/U
11 Bachelor of Science in Creative Media BSC/CRM
12 Bachelor of Arts and Science in New Media BAS/NEM
13 School of Energy and Environment (options: BEng Energy Science
and Engineering, BEng Environmental Science and Engineering)
BDSEE/U
14 Bachelor of Engineering in Energy Science and Engineering BENG/ESE
15 Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Science and Engineering BENG/EVE
16 Department of Biomedical Sciences (options: BSc Biological Sciences, BSc Biomedical Sciences)
BDBMS/U
17 Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences BSC/BISI
18 Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences BSC/BMS
19 Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering BENG/BME
20 Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering BENG/MECH
21 Bachelor of Engineering in Nuclear and Risk Engineering BENG/NRE
22 Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering BENG/CE
23 Bachelor of Engineering in Construction Engineering and Management
BENG/CEM
24 Bachelor of Engineering in Civil and Structural Engineering BENG/CVSE
25 Bachelor of Engineering in e-Logistics and Technology Management
BENG/ELTM
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Programme Code
26 Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering and Engineering
Management
BENG/IEEM
27 Bachelor of Engineering in Manufacturing Systems Engineering BENG/MFSE
28 Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering BENG/MTE
29 Bachelor of Engineering in Systems Engineering and Management BENG/SEM
30 Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology BSC/AB
31 Bachelor of Engineering in Bioengineering BENG/BIE
32 Bachelor of Science in Computational Finance BSC/CF
33 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry BSC/CHEM
34 Bachelor of Science in Computing Mathematics BSC/CM
35 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science BSC/CSC
36 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management BSC/ESM
37 Bachelor of Engineering in Data and Systems Engineering BENG/DSE
38 Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering BENG/MASE
39 Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies BSC2AS
40 Bachelor of Science in Data Science BSC/DS
41
Department of Electrical Engineering (options: BEng Computer and
Data Engineering, BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering,
BEng Information Engineering)
BDEE/U
42 Department of Mechanical Engineering (options: BEng Mechanical
Engineering, BEng Nuclear and Risk Engineering)
BDMNE/U
43 School of Data Science (options: BSc Data Science, BEng Data and
Systems Engineering)
BDDS/U
44 Bachelor of Science in Computational Finance and Financial
Technology
BSC/CFFT
45 Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Management BBA/IFMG
46 Department of Information Systems (options: BBA Global Business
Systems Management, BBA Information Management)
BDIS/U
47 Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media BA/CRM
48 Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Analysis BBA/BANL
49 Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Operations
Management
BBA/BOM
50 Bachelor of Business Administration in Global Business Systems
Management
BBA/GBSM
51 Department of Management Sciences (options: BBA Business Analysis, BBA Business Operations Management)
BDMS/U
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Programme Code
52 Research Postgraduate (Information Systems)1 RPG/IS
53 Research Postgraduate (College of Engineering)1 RPG/CENG
54 Research Postgraduate (College of Science) 1 RPG/CSCI
55 Research Postgraduate (School of Data Science) 1 RPG/SDSC
56 Research Postgraduate (School of Energy and Environment) 1 RPG/SEE
57 Research Postgraduate (Management Sciences) 1 RPG/MS
58 Research Postgraduate (Jockey Club College of Veterinary
Medicine and Life Sciences) 1
RPG/JCC
59 Research Postgraduate (School of Creative Media) 1 RPG/SCM
1 UGC-funded students only.
Updated version by Career and Leadership Centre
Updated 9 August 2021
Career and Leadership Centre
Student Development Services
City University of Hong Kong
FAQ of STEM Internship Scheme (“the Scheme”)
Eligibility
1. How do we know if the internship placement is STEM related?
As according to the guidelines provided by Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC),
participating employers need not be I&T companies, so long as the internship places are I&T-
related and full-time. The Scheme has adopted a broad definition of I&T. An internship place is
regarded as I&T-related if its actual work contains I&T elements (e.g. technology-related
intellectual property work, digital marketing, data analysis for the manufacturing industry, etc.).
Disbursement of Allowance
2. How is the disbursement of allowance to students calculated?
Total disbursement of allowance to students is calculated by using the following formula:
$10,500 × total number of man-days (in calendar days) ÷ 30
Allowance = (Internship period – Unpaid leave) in days × $350/day
3. Are holidays within the internship period be eligible for allowance?
Subject to the terms and conditions of employment, in general, the student interns are eligible to
receive allowance for the intervening non-working Saturdays, General Holidays and Statutory
Holidays fallen within the internship period. The start and end days of the contract of internship
should be working days. If the start/end days fall on Saturday, General Holiday or Statutory Holiday,
they will be regarded as unpaid leave unless there is a deliberate agreement between the employer
and the student intern.
4. Are unpaid leaves allowed during the internship?
Student interns may take unpaid leaves during the internship. For instance, students may take
unpaid leaves to handle other university commitments. Unpaid leaves will not be taken into
consideration in the calculation of allowance under the Scheme.
5. When can students receive the disbursement?
CLC will collect all the required documents from Colleges/Schools and send the “reimbursement
request” to ITC for approval in due course. For Summer internships (conducted in May – August
2021), it is estimated that the students will receive the disbursement by November 2021. The
disbursement process might take longer time in case additional supporting documents are requested
by ITC. For term-time internship conducted in term-time of academic year 2021/22, the estimated
disbursement timeline is February 2022 (for Sem A and Winter break) and June 2022 (for Sem B)
respectively.
6. Are participating students guaranteed to receive the allowance?
Eligible students who can complete the tasks required of the Scheme are entitled to receive the
allowance.
Updated version by Career and Leadership Centre
Updated 9 August 2021
7. Will the employers be involved in the disbursement process?
Participating employers should complete an ITC Assessment/Evaluation form and have them
returned to respective College/School. Since the allowance will be disbursed to students directly,
employers will not be involved in the disbursement process other than completing the assessment.
8. Should Minimum Wage Ordinance be observed under the STEM Internship Scheme?
According to ITC Guidelines, the employers in Hong Kong should also observe the relevant
requirements under the Minimum Wages Ordinance (Cap. 608). Further information is available at
the website of the Labour Department (https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_smw.htm).
If the STEM internship is a compulsory or elective component of the requirements of the full-time
degree programme, it is classified under “Student Intern” and in this case, Statutory Minimum Wage
(SMW) would not apply.
If the STEM Internship is not a compulsory or elective component of the requirements of the full-
time degree programme, it is classified under “Work Experience” and in this case, the exemption
period of SMW is only applicable up to 59th day of the internship period. From 60th day onwards,
the employer will need to fulfil the minimum wage requirement under existing legislation.
9. Will employers be responsible for MPF contribution during the internship period?
According to MPFA Guidelines, if summer interns are employed for a continuous period of 60 days
or more and they are over 18, employers must enrol them in an MPF scheme whether they work full-
time or part-time.
Reference (please refer to FAQ 4 on p.24 of the booklet):
https://www1.mpfa.org.hk/eng/information_centre/publications/booklets_publications/mpf_system/fi
les/ER_Handbook_Eng.pdf
Internship Placement and Period
10. Some internship placements have already started, can those employers and students enrol in
the Scheme?
Yes. As long as respective Colleges/Schools can identify the internship placement and students are
eligible to enrol in the Scheme. Respective Colleges/Schools should invite employers to provide
job descriptions and confirm both students and employers that the internship that they are
committing are under the Scheme.
11. Can the internship period be less than 4 weeks?
No, the minimum duration for each internship is 4 consecutive weeks.
12. Can the internship period be over 3 months?
Yes, the internship/placement duration can be over three months. However, since the allowance for
each student intern is capped at 3 months, the maximum allowance for each student under the
Scheme will remain at 3 months only (for each academic year).
13. What is the internship period for term-time internships in 2021/22?
The actual internship period for term-time internships is subject to mutual agreement between the
employer and the student, according to student availability and company requirement. To ensure
sufficient time for reimbursement, employers are required to submit an ITC Assessment/Evaluation
form and have them returned to respective College/School by the specified timeline.
For reference, CityU Academic Calendar: https://www.cityu.edu.hk/arro/ac_calendar.asp
Updated version by Career and Leadership Centre
Updated 9 August 2021
14. Does the internship need to be credit-bearing?
There is no restriction on whether the internship needs to be credit-bearing or not. However, the
internship should not be a compulsory requirement of the academic programme to which the
student is admitted to.
15. Is internship placement with remote working allowed under the Scheme?
Student interns are encouraged to work in offices to have direct interaction with supervisors/
colleagues for at least part of their internship time, so as to gain diversified work experience and
develop better communication skills. Nevertheless, remote working in certain business sectors such
as information technology has become more common. For internship placement with mostly remote
working, the university has to put in place measures to ensure that the participating employers
provide enough supervision to the student interns. In general, remote working where the
participating employer and the internship are in different territories are not allowed under the
Scheme. Notwithstanding the above, work–from-home arrangement due to severe pandemic
situation is allowed.
16. Can a student have more than one internship under the Scheme in the same academic year?
In general, subject to the arrangements of individual universities, a student intern may receive the
allowance under the Scheme for more than one internship place in the same academic year,
provided that the participating employers are not the same and the internship periods do not overlap.
Please note that only one period of internship in the same calendar year can be exempted from the
minimum wage requirement as “exempt student employment” under the Minimum Wage
Ordinance. Details can be found at the website of Labour Department
(https://www.labour.gov.hk/eng/erb/smw_esi_wes.htm).