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Hong Kong Life Sciences Society (HKLSS) and HK Wuxi Trade Association co-organized Wuxi-Shanghai Study Tour, bringing more than 50 tertiary students to visit leading pharmaceutical companies and R&D institutions in Wuxi and Shanghai. Alongside a series of cultural activities, the youth gained valuable insights into the latest developments in life sciences in China.
Among the Study Tour participants were interns from HKLSS Life Sciences Summer Internship Program 2025. As the Program drew to a successful close in early August, a closing ceremony was held at AIRSIDE last Saturday (9 August 2025) to showcase the highlights of both the Study Tour and the Program and to celebrate the growth of the budding life scientists. In attendance were Mr Vincent Cheung, Founder and Board Chair of HKLSS; Professor Ken Wong, Executive Director of HKLSS; representatives from participating corporations; interns; Study Tour members; and distinguished guests.
Professor Ken Wong remarked, “Hong Kong Life Sciences Society is delighted that the HKSAR government is dedicated to transforming our city into an international center for life and health technology. Nurturing local talent and attracting those from overseas to Hong Kong are the core objectives of our annual Summer Internship Program. Since last year, with the support of the HK Wuxi Trade Association, we have especially rolled out the Wuxi-Shanghai Study Tour prior to the Program. By doing so, our interns got to see firsthand the full picture of China’s advancements in life sciences before having a real taste of work in the sector, making the entire experience more comprehensive and impactful.”
Study Tour Provides Macroscopic View on China’s Developments
Held from 24 to 28 June 2025, the Wuxi-Shanghai Study Tour took undergraduate and postgraduate students from biotechnology, healthcare, or business disciplines from local and overseas schools to visit renowned pharmaceutical companies and R&D institutions, such as AstraZeneca (China) and Roche Accelerator, as well as high-tech industrial development zone Wuxi (Mashan) National Life Science Park. The exposure gave the group a window on the innovative technology infrastructure and prospects of the two cities, which will help them explore their future career paths.
Aside from company visits, the five-day tour also featured cultural excursions at iconic attractions, including Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi, and Jing’an District, the Bund, and Zhangyuan in Shanghai. The thoughtfully designed itinerary invited the young minds to comprehend the present through the lens of the neighborhoods’ past and culture. Additionally, HKLSS hosted welcoming dinners in both cities, creating opportunities for the youngsters to network and build connections with local practitioners and industry experts.
Internship Offers Up-Close Encounters at Real-life Workplaces
Following the Study Tour, HKLSS officially kicked off its Life Sciences Summer Internship Program. Held annually since the establishment of HKLSS, the Program continued to attract an overwhelming response this year, receiving an unprecedented 700+ local and international applications competing for approximately 50 places. The 2025 cohort also saw a record number of interns selected from diverse backgrounds, with the majority coming from Hong Kong and mainland China, while a few were from other Asian and African countries. They were assigned to a record high of 30 participating corporations, including prestigious start-ups, venture capitals, NGOs, and healthcare and pharmaceutical companies in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.
The opportunity to work side by side with seasoned researchers and biotechnologists during the six-week internship has proven to be an important reference point for career planning. The Program has therefore been well-received by aspiring students and highly recognized by local educational institutions and industry partners alike since its launch seven years ago. HKLSS remains committed to continually innovating new initiatives to uphold its mission of nurturing life sciences talent and stimulating the overall ecosystem in Hong Kong.