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On March 23, 2023, the Department of Journalism & Communication and the Industrial Attachment Office (IAO) co-organized an experiential learning activity. The event was held both in-person at LG317 of Hong Kong Shue Yan University and online via Zoom, with the objective of providing an opportunity for students to meet and exchange ideas with representatives from industrial corporations that operate offshore. The guest speakers included Mr. Lewis Fung, Consulting Director of SenseTime Group Inc., Mr. Donald Wong, Senior Business Development Manager of Amazon Web Services Inc., and Mr. Harry Lui, Business Development Director of Smark Global (Holdings) Limited. They shared their insights on multinational company culture and recruitment practices in a global context. The event attracted 24 students from the Faculty of Arts and 4 staff members to attend.
SenseTime Group Inc. is a leading artificial intelligence (AI) software company established in 2014. With offices in 15 countries and regions across China, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Northeast Asia, the company is a leading player in the field of "AI in Smart Retail." In the sharing, Mr. Lewis Fung, Consulting Director, discussed how AI technology can be used for customer profiling. For example, AI-powered real-time video analytics solutions, such as CCTV cameras, can collect data on walk-in customers, such as gender, age, and ethnicity, which can be used to identify characteristics, behaviors, and attitudes of the target customers. This data is then used to create targeted marketing materials and promotions. Mr. Fung also highlighted the importance of AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) in marketing campaigns, particularly for those studying Media Design and Immersive Technology. He noted that AR is already a part of our everyday lives, with social media filters and interactive mobile games serving as examples. AR can help increase user engagement and brand awareness by providing an immersive experience of the promotion item. Finally, Mr. Fung mentioned that SenseTime offers job opportunities for young employees looking to grow and learn through their excellent career development system, both locally and globally. He welcomed interested HKSYU students to join their AI pioneer top talent program and internship program.
With over 20 years of experience in the IT industry serving multinational clients and managing projects, Mr. Donald Wong, Senior Business Development Manager of Amazon Web Services Inc (AWS), shared valuable insights with us. During the discussion, he provided background information on AWS, including their company culture and Leadership Principles. He emphasized that the core value and mission of AWS is centered on being the Earth’s most customer-centric company. To achieve this, they invest significant effort in understanding customer needs. Mr. Wong also stressed the importance of AWS's 16 Leadership Principles in empowering their employees and delivering exceptional service to their customers.
Mr. Harry Lui, Business Development Director, stated that Smark Global (Holding) Ltd. has over 15 years of experience as a system solution provider catering to SMEs, specializing in business workflow on E-commerce and digital marketing solutions. With an impressive list of business partners, including Alibaba, PayPal, Google, and Microsoft, among others, their main businesses include retail, online marketing, and e-commerce. Mr. Lui shared an example of one of their overseas projects in Thailand, which has successfully implemented Smark Global's IT solutions in retail. He emphasized the company's commitment to understanding the unique business needs of different cultures to tailor-make the best business proposals for their clients, offering valuable opportunities for their employees to learn and grow. To highlight, Mr. Lui stated that Smark Global welcomes individuals with no IT background to join their team, despite their technical programming and digital marketing focus. He emphasized that language proficiency and attitude are prioritized over technical skills when considering potential team members.
In conclusion, the Experiential Learning Activity provided valuable insights into the AI industry, recruitment practices in the IT industry, and the importance of customer-centric values in business. SenseTime Group Inc. highlighted the use of AI technology for customer profiling and the importance of AR and VR in marketing campaigns. Amazon Web Services Inc. emphasized the importance of understanding customer needs and investing in employee empowerment to deliver exceptional service. Smark Global (Holdings) Ltd. shared their commitment to understanding unique business needs and prioritizing language proficiency and attitude over technical skills in recruitment. Overall, the event provided students with an opportunity to learn from industry experts and gain valuable insights into the current trends and practices in the rapidly growing field of AI and IT.
