A slack work ethic and narrow world view are among the major problems that are characteristic of Hong Kong university graduates, according to a poll of secondary school principals and the public released yesterday.
In the annual survey commissioned by Education18.com and conducted by the University of Hong Kong's Public Opinion Programme, 13.4 per cent of secondary school principals thought a good work attitude was what university graduates lacked most. Another 12.7 per cent said students should also develop an international outlook.
The public, meanwhile, considered good behaviour and honesty the qualities most lacking in the graduates, with a strong work ethic named as the second most lacking attribute.
The survey of 1,210 adults and 109 secondary school principals was conducted in May and June.
William Yip Kam-yuen, chairman of the Association of Heads of Secondary Schools, said Hong Kong graduates were not serious about work or diligent enough when compared with young mainlanders and those returning from abroad.
'Many students are not interested in foreign affairs. Even students who score higher grades are used to spending their leisure time playing computer games,' he said.