New Cybersecurity Law and AI Boom Drive Demand for Cross-disciplinary Tech Talent
Surging Interest in Innovation and Technology Ahead of DSE Results Release as Graduate Starting Salaries Reach HK$35,000
(8 July 2026, Hong Kong) As the release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) results approaches, the combined impact of the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and the implementation of Hong Kong's new cybersecurity legislation is driving unprecedented demand for innovation and technology talent. The market's appetite for application-oriented technology professionals is already reflected in students' study choices. At HKCT Institute of Higher Education (HKCT), applications for AI-related programmes have tripled compared with the same period last year, while enrolment interest in cybersecurity programmes has risen by nearly 50%.
To meet growing industry demand, HKCT will launch two new degree programmes in September: the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and AI Engineering and the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. These new programmes not only provide diversified progression pathways for this year's DSE graduates, but have also become highly sought-after options for young people seeking advanced professional qualifications and aspiring to leadership roles in the innovation and technology sector.
The New Workplace Favourite: Cross-disciplinary AI Professionals Enjoy Exceptional Career Prospects
The technology sector has evolved from being primarily technology-driven to application-driven, creating strong demand for professionals who can generate practical business value. Dr. Albert Lam, Chief Research Officer of Fano Labs, noted that graduates who possess both technical expertise and an understanding of business scenarios have a distinct advantage in fields such as fintech, smart cities, healthtech and cybersecurity.
According to Dr Lam, graduates with hands-on project experience can typically command starting monthly salaries ranging from HK$25,000 to HK$35,000 in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. With experience and career advancement, monthly salaries may exceed HK$50,000.
To prepare students for these emerging opportunities, HKCT's new Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and AI Engineering allocates up to 30% of professional teaching hours to practical learning activities. The College has also invested in establishing an AI Innovation Centre equipped with industry-standard NVIDIA GPUs. The curriculum covers core technologies including large language models (LLMs), computer vision and deep learning. Students will gain practical experience through real-world applications such as medical image diagnosis, financial risk assessment and autonomous driving technologies.
Dr. Yvonne Wong, Vice President of the Internet Professional Association, added that under the nation's "AI+" strategy, demand for practical AI applications continues to grow rapidly. She encouraged students to maintain an open mindset and develop into "π-shaped" or "X-shaped" interdisciplinary professionals. In addition to strong IT capabilities, such talents possess complementary expertise in areas such as management, compliance, or industry-specific applications. Graduates with this blend of skills will enjoy significant long-term career opportunities.
New Regulations Create Strong Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals
Alongside the AI revolution, new cybersecurity regulations have opened another promising career pathway for graduates. Liu Xinyuan, Senior Vice President of CR Enterprise Industry Fund, noted that following the implementation of the Protection of Critical Infrastructures (Computer Systems) Ordinance, major organisations across the financial, healthcare, transport and public service sectors are required to conduct regular risk assessments and compliance reporting.
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, organisations are actively seeking cybersecurity professionals who possess not only technical expertise, but also capabilities in risk management, regulatory compliance and stakeholder communication.
To address industry demand for advanced practical skills, HKCT's new Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and Cybersecurity places strong emphasis on cyber defence and offensive security training. The College operates an industry-grade Cybersecurity Operations Centre and a Cyber Range and Training Centre, the latter serving as the Hong Kong Regional Centre of the Peng Cheng Laboratory National-Level Cyber Range, a national-level cybersecurity research facility.
Supported by comprehensive technical expertise from leading mainland cybersecurity company Integrity Technology Group Inc, this national-level training platform helps students prepare for internationally recognised professional certifications such as CISSP and CISA, while ensuring they acquire the technical competencies required to remain highly competitive upon graduation.
A Clear Professional Pathway Supported by Strong Industry Partnerships and Flexible "2+2" Progression
To facilitate seamless progression from education to employment, HKCT's School of Cyber Space Technology has established close partnerships with leading innovation and technology enterprises and public organisations, including HK Electric, China Unicom (Hong Kong), China Mobile International Limited, Topsec Technologies Group Inc., Integrity Technology Group Inc. and Sangfor Technologies. These collaborations provide students with valuable internship opportunities and industry networking experiences.
Recognising that students enter higher education through different pathways, HKCT has been offering Higher Diploma programmes in areas such as Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) for many years. With the introduction of the new bachelor's degree programmes, the College has further strengthened its comprehensive "2+2" articulation pathway.
Students who complete a Higher Diploma programme can progress directly to Year 3 of either of the two new bachelor's degree programmes, enabling them to obtain a government-recognised degree qualification within the same four-year timeframe. This pathway provides aspiring technology professionals with a clear route towards advanced qualifications and future management positions in the innovation and technology sector.
Applications are now open, and selected programmes are eligible for government tuition subsidies. For more information, please visit the HKCT website: https://www.hkct.edu.hk/en/about-hkct/computer-science-information-technology
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