Concerns are mounting about the attitudes to work of Hong Kong university students, a survey has shown - prompting concerns they may suffer in comparison with mainland graduates who are seen as more motivated.
Work attitude in recent years has consistently topped the list of perceived deficiencies among students in the annual survey and did so again this year, with an increased percentage of respondents singling it out.
This year, 12.7 per cent of the 1,201 participants rated work attitude - defined as seriousness, enthusiasm, diligence, responsibility and motivation - as their main concern. This compared with 10.8 per cent in 2007 and 11 per cent last year. Next on the list were proficiency in English, Chinese and Putonghua, with 8.2 per cent, and conduct and honesty, with 7.1 per cent, both lower than last year.
Least concern was shown on computer proficiency, at just 0.1 per cent in the survey, commissioned by the Education18.com website and conducted by the University of Hong Kong's public opinion programme.
Education18.com chief editor Joy Shi Mei-chun said concerns about work attitude were coming at a time when employers' requirements were rising as unemployment increased, especially when comparisons were made with mainland graduates.
Centaline Human Resources director Alexa Chow Yee-ping agreed. 'Hong Kong graduates tend to make lower demands of themselves and are not clear about their career paths, while mainland graduates are usually elites with greater work motivation,' she said.
Manpower Hong Kong and Macau general manager Lancy Chui said mainland graduates with good command of Putonghua had a definite advantage now that companies in Hong Kong have more chance than ever to interact with mainland firms.