Doors to future open for multi-disciplinary talent

Hong Kong society has undergone a rapid transformation towards the science and technology industry in recent years, and young people may have to rethink their own future.

No one has a crystal ball to preview what new technologies will emerge in the future, including himself, says Albert Wong hak-keung, chief executive of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park in an interview with Sing Tao Daily. But he says young people need to build up their scientific knowledge, for example, knowing some fundamental theory of physics, mathematics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology.

He believes that the key to future success lies in understanding all disciplines. He quotes a biotechnology company in the park saying that the biggest challenge in setting up a company in Hong Kong is the lack of people.

"Companies said that they have a more than urgent need for data experts," Wong says. People who specialize in data, biotechnology, AI, robotics or even mathematics will all come together in one crew, now and even in the future. The young generation should learn to be T-shaped people to improve their competitiveness in the innovation and technology sector.

He takes himself as an example. "I know everything a little bit, but for one specific area, such as energy, I know more."

Wong says that smart cities, financial technology, AI and robotics and biotechnology are all key industries for Hong Kong's future, and the four require a combination of different types of technologies. "Biotech companies also need people to help with their AI analysis and programming," he says.

Different from universities' focus on research, the Science Park puts more value on development.

If young people are interested in research and development, Science Park and Cyberport have a lot of job vacancies for them, Wong says. "Besides the laboratory work, there are still various career paths."

He suggests that people also consider roles such as product manager, who identifies the customer need and rallies a team to turn that vision into a reality.

More than 2,400 jobs from 270 companies were offered in the Career Expo held in the Park in March, he says.

"I have communicated with the companies in the Park since the middle of this year. I find that companies are recruiting talent at any time. There are many jobs in the R&D sector," Wong says.

When asked which industry has great development potential in the future and what subjects should be studied, he laughs and says it is difficult to answer. But, he says the most popular employee in the future will be the one who knows cross disciplines. "People who understand technology and business will be the most competitive."

He feels that no matter what subject people study at university, people should also try different things. He believes that students should be exploring and challenging themselves with new things.

During the summer vacation when many youths have internships, Wong suggests that they should seize any opportunities to understand their interests.

He says young people should not be shy and write themselves a self-recommendation letter to apply for an internship.

He encourages the student that the worst scenario after self-recommendation is just not being hired, and even that, it is not a big deal.