ModernMigrants, an aid organization that digitally upskills migrant and minority professionals in Hong Kong, held its inaugural event in Cyberport recently. Due to Covid-19 safety regulations, a few mentors and participants congregated in person, while others joined the event over Zoom.

Pankhuri Dayal, the 17-year-old founder of ModernMigrants, started the event off with a speech about her vision for the organization, followed by remarks from mentors about how the world is digitalizing and why a platform like ModernMigrants is highly relevant at this time. "As Hong Kong battles with protests, and small businesses enter a go-slow due to Covid-19, Migrant and Minority workers are hit the hardest. Many face loss of income, livelihood and homes. And their jobs, in the traditional form, may never come back. More than anywhere else, Hong Kong needs to create new digital industries to remain competitive," Dayal said.

ModernMigrants aims to equip migrant and minority workers in Hong Kong with the necessary knowledge and skillset to transition from traditional industries to the digital version. It connects program participants with experienced migrant mentors working in the digital version of their chosen field. Through a series of Zoom calls, the mentors speak about the skillset needed to work in tomorrow's digital industries and work with participants individually to help them develop it. In addition, participants are provided with online courses and weekly webinars. At the end of the program, they may be given training or internship opportunities in their chosen field.

Melissa Brewster, digital marketing expert and ModernMigrants mentor says "Businesses across the world need to go digital, otherwise they will die. What Pankhuri is doing with migrants is giving them the superpower to excel at their chosen field and put their passion, whichever area it may be in, on a digital platform."

Having started its Zoom Workshop series, ModernMigrants is already seeing success stories. Jyoti, a participant keen to launch her own business in Hong Kong, is working with Ms Brewster on digital marketing as well as with Shashank Negi, Modern Migrants' Digital Creative Arts mentor. Using her new skills, Jyoti is designing product ads and pamphlets, as well as growing her business online.

Dayal is currently speaking to tech giants such as Facebook, Google, and LinkedIn to support the programs and will soon be hosting a Zoom session with Google to discuss global digitalization and what it means for the professionals of tomorrow. Additionally, Pankhuri Dayal has been invited to present her recommendations for minority inclusion through digitalization to the Hong Kong Equal Opportunities Commission in mid-July.