MSc AIE Students Participated in the "101 Innovation Camp," the First Anniversary Event of the HKUST Shanghai Center

On January 20-21 2026, the "101 Innovation Camp"—the first anniversary celebration of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Shanghai Center, was successfully held in the Beiyang AI Innovation Town of Xuhui District, Shanghai. The two-day camp focused on enhancing students' practical skills through industrial exposure. It provided a platform for students in the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship (MSc AIE) program—a joint initiative between Shanghai and Hong Kong—to engage directly with leading technology companies and be better prepared for a transition from academic study to practical internship experience.

HKUST Provost Prof. Yike Guo and Prof. Xiaofang Zhou, the Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, led a team of professors and 50+ students from the MSc AIE program to participate in the event. Officials from relevant departments in Shanghai, Xuhui District, and Caohejing District, along with corporate partners, collaborators, and alumni, also attended.

From Classroom to Industry: Three Steps to Enhance Practical Skills

As the core component of the "101 Innovation Camp," the "Skills Enhancement Camp," held throughout Jan. 20 and the morning of Jan. 21, designed three key modules tailored to the needs of AIE students: the "Entrepreneurial Diagnosis Workshop" aimed to cultivate entrepreneurial thinking and help students quickly identify their potential and areas for improvement; the technical training, "Algorithm Application Training," simulated real-world interview scenarios from top tech companies, challenging students to solve problems under a time limit; and the career path guidance session, where industry experts shared insights on "AI Industry Analysis and Job-Seeking Skills," providing students with clear directions for AI-related employment.

Technology Company Marketplace: Engagement Between Companies and Talents

The "Technology Company Marketplace" and "Open Mic," held on the afternoon of Jan. 21, brought together over ten leading tech companies, including Tencent, ByteDance, Meituan, miHoYo, Qualcomm, China Literature, Lilith Games, Yokaverse, Chery Jaguar Land Rover, Fourth Paradigm, Chaining, MetaX, and Digital Domain. Together, an exchange platform between companies and talent was created. AIE students moved between various company booths, engaging directly with recruitment or technical leaders to discuss industry trends and job opportunities.

The two "Open Mic" sessions focused on in-depth dialogues: "How AI Graduates Can Take the First Step in Their Careers" featured leaders from companies like ByteDance and Meituan, who drew from their own career paths to illustrate how to transition from campus to workplace. The "Career Pathways in the Entertainment and Gaming Industry" session invited industry leaders such as Tencent Games and Yokaverse to share trends in the fast-growing industry.

Additionally, Mr. Terry Tsang, a member of the HKUST Council as well as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Madhead, delivered a keynote speech. Drawing from his personal entrepreneurial experience, he encouraged students to explore vast opportunities in the Shanghai-Hong Kong collaboration.

The two-day camp provided practical training modules to enhance students' skills in coding and job-searching capabilities. Also, it built a platform for students to directly engage with 10+ industry-leading companies to understand the career markets and job requirements. This summer, the cohort of 74 AIE students will move from the Clear Water Bay campus in Hong Kong to the Shanghai Center's BeiYang Site, where they will begin their industrial internships at partnering companies.