A high-level inaugural Industrial Forum entitled "Empowering Our Engineering Talents for Globalized Technology Industries" was organized by Center for Industry Engagement and Internship (IEI) on 17 April 2013. Over 250 participants attended, including more than 50 representatives from the industry.

The Forum provided a platform for leaders of multinational corporations to engage directly with students to share their insights on how an engineering education is relevant to a diverse range of industries. Speakers of the Forum are top industry leaders in different areas of engineering disciplines. They are: Ms Umran Beba, President of Asia Pacific Region, PepsiCo; Ir Dr Andrew K C Chan, Deputy Chairman, Arup Group; Mr Christopher Gibbs, Engineering Director, Cathay Pacific Airways Limited; and Mr Henry Leung Kwong-hang, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Gold Peak Batteries International Limited. Prof Tony F Chan, President of HKUST, also joined the distinguished line-up.

The Forum started by a welcome speech by Dean of Engineering Prof Khaled Ben Letaief, followed by an individual speech of the five speakers. IEI Director Prof Patrick Yue then moderated the open forum, which generated much thought-provoking insights and discussion between the students, faculty and speakers.

The Forum successfully inspired the younger generation of engineers about the important attributes to excel in their professional life and the opportunities lie ahead in the globalized technology industries.