In 2023, DFI launched its first Cross-Company Diversity Internship Programme, welcoming five students from diverse backgrounds to participate in a unique rotational program across DFI Retail Group, Hongkong Land, and Maxim's Group. This 5-week initiative offers students from underrepresented backgrounds valuable real-life work experiences and the opportunity to build a robust network, deepening their knowledge in various industries and supporting their future career paths. Additionally, the program highlights the Group’s strategic commitment to fostering a more inclusive and respectful workplace while attracting and retaining top-tier talent.

Ms. Joy Xu, Group Chief People & Culture Officer at DFI Retail Group, emphasised the program's strategic significance. She noted that the Diversity Internship Programme is a key part of DFI’s broader DEI efforts and marks a significant step in their journey. Joy stated, “We are committed to making deep, systemic investments to foster a truly inclusive culture.” She expressed confidence that initiatives like this would help DFI make progress toward its DEI goals, aiming to build a workforce that brings diverse perspectives to drive innovation and better meet customer needs.

Participating students shared their experiences and achievements. Angel Zeng, a biochemistry student at The University of Hong Kong, expressed gratitude for the exposure, “This internship allowed me to delve into the corporate world, revealing potential career paths I hadn't considered before.” Jude Azuro, a Finance student at Hong Kong Baptist University, found confidence in his contributions, “While I initially had doubts about my limited professional experience, I was thrilled to see the meaningful impact of my contributions.” Preeti Kaur from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology added, “Not only did I contribute to work tasks, I also felt genuinely integrated into the team culture, which included team-building activities with my team members.”

Witnessing the growth and dedication of the students, DFI plans to expand the program to involve more participants in the coming year.