Broadening Global Perspectives: San Francisco Bay Area Technology Discovery Programme 2025
11 Jun 2025
The tour begins with a visit to the esteemed Stanford University.
The study tour featured visits to renowned tech companies and innovative hubs, including Samsung Research America, Google, Amazon, and NVIDIA, along with opportunities to reconnect with alumni.
Students explored the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, enjoying the breathtaking view in California.
Students engage in insightful discussions with the Stanford Healthcare AI Applied Research Team and Dr. Charles Cheung from NVIDIA, gaining valuable knowledge from industry experts.
The San Francisco Bay Area Technology Discovery Programme, organised by the Department, successfully concluded on 1 June 2025, offering an immersive 9-day study tour to 12 undergraduate and postgraduate students to Silicon Valley, USA, from 24 May to 1 June 2025. Led by Professor Byron Choi and Dr. Martin Choy, the journey blended academic exchange, technological discovery, alumni connections, and cultural immersion.
The tour featured visits to world-renowned institutions, including Stanford University and UC Berkeley. At Stanford University, students explored the picturesque campus and engaged with the Stanford Healthcare AI Applied Research Team, sparking insightful discussions on how innovations in artificial intelligence and health technologies are transforming primary care.
Beyond academia, students connected with industry leaders and alumni at leading tech giants. At Samsung Research America, Dr. Rui Chen shared his career journey and insights into the innovative work culture at Samsung. Visits to Googleplex, Amazon and NVIDIA’s Silicon Valley headquarters immersed students in the forefront of technological advancements, offering a firsthand look at the future of AI, cloud computing, and semiconductor innovation.
“The company visits and alumni interactions were incredibly enlightening," shared Yuhan Cao (Computer Science, Year 2). "Hearing from alumni and industry leaders about their career paths has given me clearer vision for my future in tech."
A key highlight of the tour was the AI DevSummit 2025, the world’s premier AI developer and engineering conference where students participated in a hackathon. Chan Sze Ching (Computer Science, Year 3) expressed her excitement: “The hackathon was a game-changer. We solved problems and coded as a team. The tech talks from industry experts sparked my passion for innovation in AI and software development."
Beyond academic exchange and professional growth, students embraced the vibrant culture of the San Francisco Bay Area. The visited iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and PIER 39, gaining a deeper understanding of the region’s diversity and history, which enriched their global outlook.
The San Francisco Bay Area Technology Discovery Programme 2025 not only broadened students' global perspectives but also equipped them with cutting-edge skills and valuable industry insights. By bridging classroom knowledge with experiential learning, the tour reinforced the Department's commitment to nurturing the next generation of innovators through transformative international experiences.
