HONG KONG - The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) today announced the recipients of its Innovation and Technology Scholarship Award Scheme 2013. 25 undergraduate students will each be awarded with a scholarship of HK$150,000 to participate in a series of initiatives including the mentorship programme, local internship programme, service project programme and overseas attachment programme.
Officiating at the award presentation ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was Gregory So, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, who urged the awardees to take full advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue their science dream. He also encouraged them to have a deep thirst for knowledge and, importantly, to remain intellectually flexible.
The scheme, organised by HKFYG for the third straight year with support and sponsorship from the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the HKSAR government and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), aims at nurturing young talent by giving recognition to outstanding undergraduates in science-related streams at local universities. This year, 25 awardees, nominated by the presidents/vice-chancellors of local universities, were selected by the awardee selection committee. They will each be awarded with a scholarship of HK$150,000 to participate in a series of initiatives including the mentorship programme, local internship programme, service project programme and overseas attachment programme.
Chairman of the awardee selection committee of the scheme, Bernard Chan, also a member of the HKSAR Executive Council, remarked that the selection committee was very impressed by the quality of the awardees. They display great passion in pursuing their interests in innovation and technology, according to Chan who also said they are able to demonstrate commitment to Hong Kong with impressive records of contribution to community service activities.
Dr Rosanna Wong, executive director, HKFYG, said, “It is known that the success of scientific research requires patience and innovative mind. Through the learning opportunities under the Scheme, young science talents are encouraged to gain their exposure and passion in innovation and technology. We believe that these scholars will contribute to the society in the foreseeable future.”
At the award presentation ceremony, Janet Wong, commissioner for Innovation and Technology, HKSAR government, Professor Roland Chin, chairman of the award scheme administration committee, and mentor of the scheme, Professor Bruce A Beutler, Nobel Laureate in physiology or medicine 2011, and Professor Dennis Lo, associate dean (research) of the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, shared their valuable insights and experience in the science and technology disciplines.
Open to full-time undergraduates undertaking science, technology and medical related disciplines in universities in Hong Kong, applicants are expected to demonstrate their strong passion for innovation and technology. Since its inception in 2011, the Scheme has provided seventy-five distinguished students with scholarships, allowing them to complete a series of initiatives to widen their overseas/ Mainland exposure and gain industry experience.
For details about the scheme, please visit http://www.innotechscholarship.hk.
