HAECO Co-op Experience

Key Highlights

🏆

AWS AI Hackathon Champion

Grand Prize Winner among 130+ teams. Developed HAECO Bay Management System within 14 days.

💡

Techathon Lead Organizer

Solely planned and organized HAECO's first Techathon, building a framework for future innovation programs.

🎤

Lean Day MC

Master of Ceremony at HAECO Lean Day 2025, engaging executives in the Annual Kaizen showcase.

🎙️

4 Media Interviews

Participated in media and industry interviews following the AWS AI Hackathon championship.

🌍

AWS re:Invent

Attended AWS re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, representing HAECO and sharing our innovation.

🎉

75th Anniversary Helper

Contributed to HAECO's 75th Birthday Celebration, supporting the milestone event.

5-Month Journey Timeline

Week 1-2 (Sep 1-12)

📘

LMS Guidelines & Orientation (Transformation & Technology)

Completed Learning Management System orientation and consolidated key guidelines to support structured onboarding and knowledge alignment.

🚀

AWS AI Hackathon Preparation

Conducted focused preparation for the AWS AI Hackathon Hong Kong 2025, aligning problem understanding, solution approach, and team readiness.

Week 3-4 (Sep 15-30)

✅

HAECO Bay Management System (AWS AI Hackathon 2025)

Delivered an AI-driven aircraft bay scheduling solution within a 14-day hackathon timeline.

Delivery Scope:

Defined system requirements and solution design
Developed a web-based prototype
Implemented rule-based AI optimization
Prepared demo and executive walkthrough

💡

Techathon Brainstorming with TI Manager

Defined the strategic direction for HAECO’s first Techathon, establishing a 4-year roadmap centered on technology adoption, lean execution, and stakeholder alignment.

Week 1-2 (Oct 1-17)

🏆

AWS AI Hackathon 2025 – Grand Prize

Awarded Grand Prize Champion, officially announced by AWS through an online presentation.

🧭

Techathon 4-Year Strategic Framework (2026–2029)

Defined a comprehensive 4-year Techathon roadmap, outlining strategic objectives, key milestones, and high-level resource planning to support long-term program sustainability.

📣

Lean Day Communication Materials

Developed visual communication materials to support promotion and audience engagement for HAECO Lean Day 2025.

Week 3-4 (Oct 20-31)

💡

Techathon Framework Pitch to Transformation & Technology GM (1)

Executive pitch proposing a 4-year Techathon framework to Transformation & Technology leadership.

Pitch Focus:

Articulated long-term vision with near-term execution milestones
Proposed participation and engagement model
Positioned a feasible plan aligned with available resources

🔁

Techathon Framework Strategic Redirection

Redirected the Techathon framework, aligning ambition with execution feasibility following executive review.

🎤

Lean Day MC & AWS AI Hackathon Sharing Preparation

Prepared for a dedicated speaking slot at Lean Day, serving as Master of Ceremonies while developing sharing content on the AWS AI Hackathon Champion project for internal knowledge sharing and engagement.

Week 1-2 (Nov 1-14)

🎙️

AWS Champion Media Engagements

Represented HAECO as AWS AI Hackathon Champion in media and internal interviews, including SCMP, HAECO, and AWS Hong Kong.

🎓

HKUST Co-op Progress Review

Conducted mid-term progress alignment with HKUST Co-op coordinators, reviewing learning outcomes and internship contributions.

💡

Techathon Framework Pitch to Transformation & Technology GM (2)

Follow-up executive pitch to refine and converge the Techathon framework for implementation readiness.

Planning Decisions:

Sharpened initiative scope to ensure clarity and focus
Confirmed 2026 as the primary planning and execution horizon

Week 3-4 (Nov 17-28)

🎉

HAECO 75th Anniversary Helper

Supported HAECO’s 75th Anniversary celebration, engaging with colleagues and leadership across the organization and expanding professional networks within the wider HAECO community.

🎤

Lean Day (MC & AWS Hackathon Sharing)

Served as Master of Ceremonies at HAECO Lean Day 2025, delivering an AWS AI Hackathon Champion sharing session, and received an Outstanding Achievement Certification presented by the HAECO CEO, followed by direct engagement on future return opportunities.

🌟

Transformation & Technology Team Building

Participated in Transformation & Technology team-building activities to strengthen internal networks, cross-team collaboration, and team cohesion, including informal engagement during the Christmas dinner.

📊

Techathon Interest & Readiness Survey

Designed and distributed an internal questionnaire to assess employee interest and readiness, providing data-driven input for Techathon planning and prioritization.

🎬

Lean Day Techathon AI Teaser Video

Designed and produced an AI-generated teaser video to officially kick off the HAECO Hong Kong Techathon, showcased during Lean Day in front of senior management.

Week 1-2 (Dec 1-12)

🌍

AWS re:Invent – Global Exposure

Represented HAECO at AWS re:Invent (Las Vegas), interviewed by AWS and unwire.hk on the Bay Management System, and expanded professional networks with engineers and technology leaders across Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China.

🎬

AI & Digital Team Teaser (Transformation & Technology)

Designed and produced an AI-generated teaser video introducing the AI & Digital team; following positive GM feedback at Lean Day, was invited to create an enhanced version for presentation at a management meeting.

🧩

Techathon 2026 Structure – Detailed Design

Developed the detailed implementation structure for the 2026 Techathon, translating executive direction from prior GM pitches into actionable planning ahead of final leadership alignment.

💡

Techathon Framework Pitch to Transformation & Technology GM (3)

Final executive pitch to align governance, scope, and execution readiness for the Techathon framework.

Key Decisions & Governance:

Maintained flexibility in participation scope and submission formats
Aligned funding and incentives with practical feasibility
Focused workshops on innovation experience over technical training
Confirmed transparent shortlisting, panel structure, and realistic timelines

Week 3-4 (Dec 15-31)

🎬

Lean Day Summary Video (Internal Communications)

Supported the Lean Day organizing team in producing a summary video, highlighting key moments and achievements for publication on HiHAECO, the internal communication platform.

🗓️

Techathon Timeline Realignment (H2 2026)

Realigned the Techathon schedule following TI Manager guidance, balancing delivery readiness with team capacity changes after Co-op completion.

📊

Technology Innovation Project Tracker

Designed and implemented a visual project tracking dashboard to support regular stand-up updates and cross-team alignment within the Technology Innovation team.

🥽

AR/VR/XR Glasses Exploration

Explored potential AR/VR/XR applications for HAECO operations, contributing early-stage innovation ideas for future TI team projects and Techathon experiential concepts.

📦

Techathon Handover Package (2026)

Delivered a comprehensive Techathon handover package to ensure continuity, knowledge transfer, and execution readiness following Co-op completion.

Handover Scope:

Techathon posters and roadmap visuals
Techathon rules and briefing materials (English & Chinese)
Registration form and submission templates
End-to-end Techathon handover guideline

Successfully completed a 5-month Co-op internship, delivering high-impact contributions across innovation delivery, strategic planning, and knowledge transfer within HAECO.

Photos & Videos

Visual highlights from my 5-month journey at HAECO

Personal Reflection

How this internship changed me, what challenged me, and how I want to move forward after it.

How It Changed Me

This internship changed how I think about engineering, from solving isolated technical problems to creating solutions that fit real operations, people, and business needs.
It pushed me to become more confident in taking ownership, adapting quickly, and contributing beyond what was written in a role description.
I left with a stronger sense that meaningful work happens when technical thinking is combined with execution, communication, and context.

Challenges That Shaped Me

One of the biggest challenges was learning how to work in a fast-moving professional environment where expectations were higher and less predictable than in school.
I had to communicate clearly with different stakeholders, stay calm under pressure, and handle work that was visible to managers and executives.
Balancing technical work, planning, presentations, and event responsibilities taught me to be more disciplined, observant, and resilient.

What I Learned About Myself

This experience showed me that I am most motivated when I work on problems that connect technology with real operational impact.
I discovered that I enjoy not only building ideas, but also explaining them, presenting them, and helping others understand their value.
It also showed me that I can contribute in different ways through analysis, prototyping, coordination, communication, and initiative.

What I Will Do Next

After this internship, I want to keep building at the intersection of operations, data, and AI.
I want to deepen my technical ability in system design, analytics, and practical AI applications while continuing to strengthen communication and leadership.
In the future, I hope to turn complex operational challenges into useful, real-world solutions that create measurable value.

Relevant Links

🏠

Technology Innovation | Transformation & Technology Department