Two-day flagship youth to career exploration event unites 30+ corporates and organisations for youth empowerment, officiated by Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – The Central and Western District Office, Central and Western District Youth Network, and FutureGen Youth Foundation (“the Foundation“) co-organised the two-day Central & Western District Youth-to-Career Explo on 9 and 11 July. This event is funded by the Government of HKSAR, with the Hall of the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex provided as a venue. The event, part of the IGNITE18: Jumpstart Your Career series, brought together over 1,200 participants —including students, parents, teachers, and careers masters —alongside education institutions, prominent industry leaders, and community partners to explore future careers, AI, and the evolving world of work. Committed to expanding the program’s reach across the district, The Council of Central & Western District School Heads served as the event’s education partner.

Hosted at co-organiser and seed school St. Stephen’s Girls’ College, and the Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, the event was officiated by Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, with a rich lineup of keynote sharing sessions on career insights, future trends and opportunities; AI and future skills workshops; youth dialogue sessions; and career exploration company booths.

Building A Future Talent Pipeline Through Early Industry and AI Exposure

Successfully equipping youth with direct access to leading industry representatives and companies, the signature youth event supported students across the Central and Western District in navigating their career and life planning journeys while strengthening Hong Kong’s future talent pipeline across diverse industries. Bringing together education institutions, corporations, government departments, professional organisations, NGOs and community partners, and spanning across more than 20 industries, the event bridged the gap between education and the rapidly evolving world of work, connecting young people with real-world industry insights and equipping them with the access, opportunities, and resources they need to explore future pathways and prepare for tomorrow’s workforce.

The IGNITE18 event series was pioneered by the FutureGen Youth Foundation, which aims to establish a citywide collective impact ecosystem connecting schools, industry, universities, and parents to support students navigating career and life planning. The initiative seeks to provide exposure to diverse industries, future career pathways, and hands-on future skills and AI experiences, while offering valuable workforce market insights and professional development opportunities for teachers and careers masters. By engaging parents in understanding AI and future-ready skills, the program actively strengthens Hong Kong’s future talent pipeline across diverse sectors. The Foundation plans to expand IGNITE18 across all 18 districts in Hong Kong in the next two years.

“In a world where AI, business transformation, and entirely new fields are reshaping career pathways, there is an urgency to create greater access earlier – from secondary age – to better equip and support youth on their career development journey,” said Jennifer Yu Cheng, JP, Founder of FutureGen Youth Foundation.

“At our Foundation, we have created a platform connecting over 140 Supporting Organisations with representation from education institutions, corporations, public institutes, NGOs, entrepreneurs and innovators to support youth career exploration and development in Hong Kong. Through IGNITE18, we aim to open doors earlier and inspire students to explore diverse career opportunities to be better equipped for tomorrow’s world – with the ultimate hope of building a stronger and more diverse talent pipeline for Hong Kong’s future.”

Uniting Corporate and Education Leaders in a Collective Impact Ecosystem

The Central & Western District Youth-to-Career Explo brought together an extensive network of participating and supporting organisations across corporate, tech, education, and public service sectors, including:

Strategic Partner: Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited

Fully Supported By: McDonald’s Hong Kong

Supporting Organisations: DALLOYAU; Deloitte Foundation; DETERMINANT; Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry; Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management; Police Community Relations Office, Central District,Hong Kong Police Force; Hong Kong Qualifications Framework; HSBC; JEMS Character Academy; L’Oréal Hong Kong; Microsoft Hong Kong; MTR Corporation Limited; Ocean Park Corporation; Pet Space Group Limited; PRISTER Corporation Limited; Project Management Institute; Story Jungle Education; Tencent Wetech Academy; XPENG Hong Kong; XPENG Hong Kong ARIDGE; Y.L.Yang Foundation; iREd Solutions Limited; Plus One Dimension Interactive Company Limited

Education Partners: Center for Global & Community Engagement (GCE), School of Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; The University of Hong Kong; Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong; Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters; Hong Kong Association of the Heads of Secondary Schools; Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Chai Wan), Higher Diploma in Food Technology and Safety; Lingnan University Department of Digital Art and Creative Industries; Pre-incubation Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; School of Business, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong; The Council of Central & Western District School Heads; The Education University of Hong Kong; The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

Supporting Statutory Body: The Authority of Qianhai SZ-HK Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen

The event also featured prominent leaders and experts sharing insights across business, finance, education, technology, innovation, and the public sector:

• Lawrence Hung – Immediate Past President and Executive Council Member, Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management
• Gary Wong Chi-him, MH, JP – Chief Hong Kong and Macao Liaison Expert, Authority of Qianhai SZ-HK Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone of Shenzhen
• Professor Ava Kwong – Chairman, Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer FamilyRegistry; Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery, School of Clinical Medicine, The University of Hong Kong
• Professor Lee Man Hoi – Professor, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
• Serena Tang – Career Development and Training Director, HKU Business School

“We are deeply grateful to our seed schools, education partners, and Supporting Organisations for transforming the Foundation’s vision into action and for joining us in empowering young people,” said Secy Cheung, Founding Board Director of FutureGen Youth Foundation.

“Through our work with students, we have seen how powerful it can be when young people hear directly from industry leaders, professionals, and innovators. Often, a single conversation, sharing unexpected angles, can spark new aspirations and help students see pathways they had never previously imagined. IGNITE18 is about planting those seeds of possibility – inspiring young people to explore, discover, and take their first steps towards shaping their own futures.”

The signature event showcased the boundless possibilities of a strong ecosystem connecting schools, industry, universities, and families in supporting Hong Kong’s future leaders and talents. The IGNITE18 Central & Western District Youth-to-Career Explo generated strong community momentum that will continue to support students in understanding the future world of work, discovering their own pathways, and stepping into the future with confidence.

Hashtag: #FutureGenYouthFoundation

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The Central and Western District Youth Network

The Central and Western District Youth Network, established under the Central and Western District Office, is a platform for young people aged 12 to 29 providing them with opportunities to develop their potential, cultivate personal interests, enhance self‑confidence, and encourage active participation in community affairs, thereby fostering a stronger sense of social belonging. Each year, the District Youth Network organises a diverse range of activities tailored to meet the interests and needs of its members.

Strategic partnership integrates design optimisation and artificial intelligence to improve engineering efficiency, project outcomes and decarbonisation

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Arup and YJK, a leading engineering software solutions company in Chinese Mainland, announced the launch of AI Designer in Hong Kong, an innovative digital platform that integrates artificial intelligence (‘AI’) with design optimisation, enhancing the efficiency, quality and productivity of engineering workflows.

Jointly developed by Arup and YJK, the initial AI Designer modules combine Arup’s global structural engineering experience and advanced computational design expertise with YJK’s integrated software capabilities in analysis, code-compliant design and drawing production. The first phase of the platform focuses on two core applications: Structural design optimisation, including reinforced concrete and steel structures, and Piled foundation layout and design optimisation.

The platform helps engineers evaluate design options more effectively, enabling faster decision-making, improved project outcomes and smarter project delivery, while representing a transformational step forward in modernising engineering workflows.

Key features of AI Designer

• YJK’s structural design software (Hong Kong Code Edition) has been officially recognised by the Hong Kong Buildings Department, while its structural, BIM and construction software suite has been certified under Hong Kong’s Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF).
• In controlled benchmarking using the same model, loads and code — and with engineer review retained — AI Designer‘s algorithmic optimisation reduced design iteration time by approximately 82% (from 2.5 days to 0.5 days) and decreased over-limit components by around 88% (from 64 to 6).
• Through AI Designer‘s optimisation, material usage could be reduced by around 10–20%, contributing to lower embodied carbon.

The partnership underscores Hong Kong’s ambitions to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across the construction sector. By enhancing productivity and streamlining engineering processes, AI Designer will bring more efficient project delivery while supporting the city’s innovation agenda and driving AI adoption across the built environment industry.

Theresa Yeung, Managing Principal, East Asia of Arup, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with YJK on the launch of the first AI Designer module. By combining Arup’s deep structural engineering and computational design expertise with YJK’s advanced software capabilities, we are empowering engineers with powerful tools that improve workflows, accelerate design exploration and unlock new opportunities for innovation.

As projects become increasingly complex, AI Designer will enable us to assess a broader range of solutions more efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of technical excellence. This reflects our commitment to applying emerging technologies to deliver better outcomes for our clients, communities and the built environment.”

Chen Dailin, Chairman of Beijing YJK, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Arup, an industry heavyweight with deep expertise in computational design. By combining YJK’s software capabilities with Arup’s optimisation algorithms, AI Designer will deliver real impact by enhancing design quality, broadening the application of artificial intelligence in engineering, and supporting the development of a smarter, more efficient and resilient built environment.”

The launch ceremony was attended by representatives from both the public and private sectors, reflecting the growing importance of advanced technologies in driving innovation across Hong Kong’s construction and infrastructure industries. Attendees were introduced to AI Designer’s capabilities and its vision for the future of AI-enabled engineering and design.

Hashtag: #Arup #YJK

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About Arup

Arup is a global built environment consultancy providing advisory and technical expertise for our clients across more than 150 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places.
www.arup.com

About YJK

YJK (Hong Kong) Digital Technology Limited is a wholly-owned overseas subsidiary of YJK. Leveraging Hong Kong’s geographical advantages, it has established a two-pronged strategy of “deepening local adaptation in Hong Kong while simultaneously expanding overseas markets”, and oversees the overall planning of YJK’s operations in Hong Kong, China as well as its overseas business layout.

The parent company has long been deeply engaged in the engineering software sector covering construction, bridges, municipal infrastructure, power and other fields. It provides standardized BIM products and digital solutions for the full project lifecycle, backed by profound in-house R&D capabilities and solid technical accumulation.

Leveraging the parent company’s in-house software R&D strengths and AI technology expertise, YJK (Hong Kong) has achieved in-depth alignment with Hong Kong’s engineering codes and business workflows, further consolidating its local service capabilities. Meanwhile, with Hong Kong as its strategic pivot for internationalization, it aligns with mainstream international engineering standards and delivers digital products and services tailored for overseas markets. Driven by technological innovation as its core driving force, the company provides high-quality engineering digital services to clients across the globe.

Scenario-based analysis shows AI will expand demand across office, industrial and retail

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to fuel economic expansion and increase demand for commercial real estate across Asia Pacific (APAC), rather than displace it, according to a study by Cushman & Wakefield. The analysis, AI Impact: Regional Insights – Asia Pacific, noted that AI will act as a net positive force for both economic growth and real estate demand as the region strengthens its position as a global hub for production, services and innovation.

“There is a misconception that AI will reduce the need for physical space,” said Dr. Dominic Brown, Head of International Research, APAC & EMEA, Cushman & Wakefield. “Our analysis shows the opposite – AI expands economic activity and that ultimately drives greater demand for real estate across sectors.”

The APAC analysis is part of Cushman & Wakefield’s global, multi-sector, scenario-based assessment of how AI adoption could reshape real estate fundamentals over the next decade. Rather than attempting to predict how AI itself evolves, the framework focuses on how firms respond to AI under different adoption, productivity and monetization scenarios and how those responses translate into macroeconomic outcomes, space demand and capital markets dynamics. These scenarios are also fully integrated into Cushman & Wakefield’s “House View” forecasting process, incorporating broader macroeconomic factors such as monetary policy, trade dynamics and geopolitical risks.

Four Scenarios, Wide Range of Outcomes
Cushman & Wakefield’s study models four distinct scenarios reflecting different paths for AI adoption, productivity and labor market outcomes:

• C&W Baseline — Gradual Adoption (50%): Moderate productivity gains support steady economic expansion. Demand holds up, with near-term softness in select sectors, as AI becomes additive over time.
• Productivity-Led Expansion (15% probability): Rapid AI adoption drives strong economic growth and job creation. Broad demand growth across sectors supports rent growth and rising values.
• AI Bust — Moderate Recession (25%): AI adoption falls short of expectations, contributing to a cyclical downturn. Demand weakens in the near term, with higher vacancies and rent pressure, followed by recovery.
• Dystopic/Displacement (5%): AI adoption proves more labor-substituting than expected, leading to higher unemployment. Demand remains weak for a more sustained period, with downside pressure on rents and values.

Under the baseline scenario, the APAC economy is projected to grow at around 3-4% annually through 2030, supported by AI-driven productivity gains and continued investment in infrastructure such as data centers and power.

“AI will be a critical force in sustaining APAC’s long-term growth story,” said Dr. Brown. “It will help offset demographic headwinds in some developed markets while accelerating productivity across emerging economies.”

While AI will automate certain routine functions, the study indicates overall employment in APAC is expected to rise, with a projected net increase of 58.5 million jobs between 2026 and 2030 under the baseline scenario. However, this growth is likely to moderate over time as economies mature, alongside a shift toward higher-value, knowledge-based work.

AI Impact on Real Estate
From a commercial real estate perspective, AI is expected to be additive to demand, rather than a substitute for space as stronger economic output and business formation drive higher occupancy needs over time. This expansion will be accompanied by structural changes in how space is used as well as evolving investment strategies. Emerging asset classes, particularly data centers are expected to become increasingly central to portfolios.

Under the baseline scenario, core real estate returns are projected to stabilise at around 10%, supported by strong regional growth and evolving demand drivers.

– Office Market to be Transformed, Not Disrupted
Prime net absorption of office space is projected to reach 1.035 billion sq ft over the next decade under the baseline scenario. Demand will increasingly favour high-quality, flexible spaces in prime locations, particularly in talent-rich cities and environments designed for collaboration and innovation. This sustained flight to quality, already evident in recent years, is expected to accelerate further, widening gap between premium and lower-grade buildings.

– Logistics and Data Centers Lead AI-Driven Demand
The logistics and industrial sector is set to be one of the primary beneficiaries of AI adoption, with demand driven by automation, e-commerce growth and rising supply chain complexity. Prime net absorption is forecast to reach 2.542 billion sq ft by 2030 under the baseline scenario. Within this growth, data centers are emerging as critical infrastructure, with power availability becoming a key constraint in shaping both supply and investment decisions.

– Retail to Become More Polarised
Stronger income growth will support spending but the retail market is expected to split into clear winners and losers. High and low-end retail segments are likely to outperform, while mid-tier retail will face structural challenges, reflecting a more polarised consumer landscape.

While the overall outlook is positive, there are potential downside risks such as slower-than-expected AI productivity boost or labour market disruption, which could result in higher vacancy rates and downward pressure on rents.

“While the base case is constructive, the range of outcomes remains wide. Understanding the different scenarios is critical for both occupiers and investors as they plan for the next decade,” said Dr. Brown.

About the Study
AI Impact on Commercial Real Estate: The Next 10 Years uses econometric models and a scenario-based framework integrated into Cushman & Wakefield’s House View forecasts. The analysis traces AI’s impact through a chain of transmission – from foundational drivers (regulation, power infrastructure, data center development) through AI adoption and productivity, macroeconomic outcomes, occupier demand, and real estate market response. Regional reports covering the U.S., EMEA, and Asia Pacific are available at cushmanwakefield.com.

Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield

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About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 53,000 employees in nearly 350 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2025, the firm reported revenue of $10.3 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).