A new Web site promising to boost the career prospects of IT students and graduates is to be launched this month.
Career Connection was designed by US Internet technology company Cisco Systems, which runs the popular IT education course Cisco Networking Academy Program. From mid-September, students and graduates of the programme will be able to access the site for free, as will Cisco's partners and sponsors.
'The aim is to connect our academic community - students and graduates - with industries and provide a place for people to connect,' said Sandy Walsh, education programmes manager for the Asia-Pacific region.
About 250 companies have joined the programme, 10 per cent of which are from Hong Kong, and more are expected to join after its six-month trial period. Companies participating will be able to advertise jobs, from short-term project work to permanent contracts, and students will be able to post their CVs.
'This is a great avenue for students to get exposure. Take a big IT-related trade fair at the Convention Centre: such events need Internet access, and for a whole network to be set up, students can work on such short, three- or four-day projects,' Ms Walsh said. Career Connection is intended to service the Asia-Pacific region, from Australia and New Zealand through to China and India. Japan is not included.
'We have received a lot of support from the Hong Kong Government and Hong Kong industries. They are keen to see IT get a boost,' said Ms Walsh.