Twelve students from Hong Kong are among a group of 24 attending an inaugural learning programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Hong Kong Innovative Node - on how to start businesses with innovative ideas.
The 12 Hong Kong students come from four universities - University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Polytechnic University.
The other 12 were picked from 95 candidates at the institute.
The students will spend June 5 to 11 experiencing technology-based entrepreneurship, forming international teams to learn how to start businesses with innovative ideas, such as those in designs and technology, by having seminars with celebrities and alumni, and observing innovative industry in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
They then have to use that experience to build prototypes of their products, and the program will culminate with a final showcase where students will present their work and demonstrate their prototype.
Tuition is free as the program is fully supported by the alumni and other donors.
MIT Provost Martin Schmidt said the institute will start the first formal learning course in January, but MIT has yet to find a permanent location in Hong Kong for its office.
The "Hong Kong Innovative Node" will also open its doors to MIT students to access the unique resources and opportunities available in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, Schmidt said.
He said that because of its proximity to Shenzhen and the Mainland, that MIT saw great potential in terms of innovation industry and is one of the key reasons why it chose Hong Kong.
"We want this to be educational process, and we want to link it to students. Having our students connect with Hong Kong students is a key point, and quality of Hong Kong schools is exceptional."
Professor Charles Sodini, Faculty of the MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node, believed Hong Kong had lots of assets as a place for entrepreneurship, "a lot of good things are going on in Hong Kong, but it hasn't found the key for this area yet".
