IS Internet+ Study Tour

A group of 22 undergraduate students from the Department of Information Systems took a summer study tour to learn about a popular topic Internet+, traveling to five cities – Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Shenzhen, within 29 days.  Highly subsidised and supported by the Department, the tour received positive feedback from the participants.

Guided by Dr Terence Cheung C.H., Assistant Professor of the Department of Information Systems and the Programme Leader of the BBA in Information Management, a group of five student representatives has planned the whole expedition, and arranged more than 20 corporates in five cities for fellow students to visit. The study tour aimed to increase students’ international exposure, and to learn about operation and management practices in different companies, especially in e-commerce and Internet industries.

To make the most of the learning, Dr Cheung has made tremendous effort in liaising company visits prior to the trip, and offered advice to the student group, said, “The topic of Internet+ is prominent and upbeat in the industry now. There is a phenomenal growth in business companies, both locally and in China, and they are expanding. I hope our students can learn about how these companies succeed, and how to create more business in the Internet+ era.”

The study trip has made visits to many well-known corporates including Alibaba Group, Tencent, Sina, Xiaomi, JD.com, etc. Students have also toured around offices in Qianhai, to learn about incubation projects done by young entrepreneurs in mainland China.  

Chloe Ho Ka-yee, BBA Information Management, who was one of the student representatives organising the study tour, was delighted to see the Department’s support in the trip, “We are very thankful to have this study tour. We were inspired in the company visits, to keep abreast of the new market trends. After each visit, we would discuss with our teachers, to consolidate what we have observed and learned.”

Another participant, Darren Deng Yansheng, BBA Information Management, felt that the visits to Tencent and Alibaba were the most memorable experiences. “I was impressed how fast the company reacts to new ideas – there is no hierarchy in the office, whoever has new idea, they could propose to the team instantly.  If the idea is accepted, they will work on it, and then launch to the market. They respond to changes very fast and efficiently.”  

Both Chloe and Darren were fascinated by the surge of new projects and companies in China, and were considering having their own start-ups in the future,

“The trip was eye-opening. Everyone can start their own business when having good ideas. There are a lot of resources and support from the government on new start-ups, and many opportunities out there in China,” they said.  

Apart from Dr Cheung, also participated in the study tour included faculty members Dr Wei-thoo Yue, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Information Systems, Dr Ling Ge, Assistant Professor, Dr Yu Tong, Assistant Professor, Dr Terence Patrick Lo Chi-hung, Visiting Fellow, Mr Albert Chung Yan-kit and Mr Frank Lo Man-wan, both Instructors, and Dr Julie Chu Yan, Graduate Teaching Assistant.

For more information about the Department of Information Systems, please visit website.