Education chief dismisses push for final-year university internships amid AI threat

Hong Kong's education minister, Christine Choi Yuk-lin, has rejected a proposal to convert the final year of undergraduate degree programmes into internships in response to a decline in entry-level jobs due to artificial intelligence. In response to a question from lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Choi emphasized that university courses should not be altered based on single factors like labor market supply and demand data.

She argued that curriculum changes should be guided by professional judgment, considering discipline-specific requirements, student development, teaching resources, and academic standards. Choi noted that many universities already incorporate internships into their programmes, but warned that mandating a full-time internship as a graduation requirement could compress students' academic experience.

She also pointed out that some disciplines, such as the humanities and pure sciences, place greater emphasis on theoretical research rather than internships. Leung expressed concern about the potential reduction in junior administrative jobs due to AI, but noted that universities have the flexibility to arrange internship durations and formats according to disciplinary needs.

She emphasized the need for public funding universities to take the lead in preparing students for the changing job market. Lawmaker Lam Chun-sing raised concerns about the high unemployment rate among associate degree holders, suggesting that the curriculum of associate degree programmes should be reformed to align with the growing demand for AI practitioners.

Choi responded that the main goal of associate degrees is to prepare students for further education, and authorities will develop more higher diplomas or vocational courses to enhance the status of vocational education.