What is Co-op?
HKU Co-operative Education Programme
The HKU Co-operative Education Programme (Co-op programme) is a cooperation between three parties— the University, the Employer, and the Student who will collaboratively construct a fruitful experiential learning opportunity. Students desire to see and experience how their learning and skills can be applied in a real-world setting. The employer would receive constructive contributions from the student’s work. As for HKU and our Educational Aims, we believe there is much room to learn and grow beyond the classroom.
The Co-op programme is delivered through an 18-credit course, COOP3000, set to launch in 2025, and requires enrolled students to engage in full-time employment for at least seven consecutive months or 30 weeks with a single employer. Students are required to take Preparatory Modules before starting the placement. These modules focus on employment readiness, workplace professionalism, personal growth and building students’ mental resilience for the workplace.
Each student will also be assigned a Co-op Academic Supervisor from their Faculty or the HKU Co-op Education Office (Co-op Office). The Co-op Workplace Mentor will be assigned by the Employer.
What is the Employer’s Role in the Co-op Programme
- Assign a dedicated staff member to serve as the student’s Workplace Mentor, responsible for providing training, guidance, and regular feedback to the student. The Mentor will also liaise with the Co-op Office and the student’s Academic Supervisor to monitor the progress and address any challenges that may arise during the placement.
- Attend two meetings (midterm meeting, concluding meeting) with the student and the Academic Supervisor over the course of the placement
- At the conclusion of the work term, conduct a formal evaluation of the student’s performance.
- Students should be offered a work contract and a monthly salary for their full-time contributions. A suggested minimum monthly wage is HKD 12,000.
- Ensure the student will work in a fair, safe, supportive, and properly supervised environment throughout the duration of their placement. Employers must undertake all legal responsibilities as an employer under the Employment Ordinance and other applicable ordinances.
Why Co-op?
Participating in our Co-op programme offers several key advantages for employers
Innovation and Diversity
Students often brings with them the latest academic thinking, diverse perspectives, and innovative approaches to problem-solving, which can help in developing new solutions or adding value to the employers in the current fast-evolving business and societal landscape.
Industry-Academia Links
Employers can influence curriculum development and ensure that the skills taught in academic institutions align closely with real-world industry needs, leading to better-prepared graduates ready to seamlessly transition into the workforce, fostering a strong tie between academia and industry.
Future Employees
Create a pipeline of skilled and trained professionals who are already familiar with the company’s operations and culture. This can significantly reduce the learning curve and accelerate their integration into the team, paving the way for a productive journey as future employees poised for success.