Hong Kong students invited to apply for masters degree scholarship

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Hong Kong students are being offered a unique opportunity to study at the prestigious College of Europe, in the historic city of Bruges, Belgium.

The Belgium-Hong Kong Society is inviting applications from Hong Kong students for a scholarship of EUR10,000 (about HK$103,000) to undertake a one-year Masters Degree in European Studies in 2005-2006 at the College of Europe, 90km from Brussels.

The Belgium-Hong Kong Society was founded in 1986 to promote bilateral economic, social and cultural exchanges between Belgium and Hong Kong. The society comprises business leaders from major Belgian companies and commercial organisations.

The society established the Belgium-Hong Kong Society Scholarship on the occasion of the visit by the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Donald Tsang, to Belgium in May, 2002.

The Chairman of the Belgium-Hong Kong Society, former Belgian Consul-General in Hong Kong Mr Piet Steel, said the past two scholarship winners had borne witness to what a worthwhile opportunity it provided. "The European Union is one of Hong Kong's major international partners. I hope that more Hong Kong students will make use of this unique chance to learn more about Europe and help build stronger ties between Europe and Hong Kong," he said.

The first recipient of the scholarship, Simon Tse, said his time at the college from September, 2002, to June, 2003, was an "unforgettable" experience. Nicole Cheung, the second recipient of the scholarship from September, 2003, to June, 2004, said the college was a real European microcosm, gathering high-calibre students from more than 40 nationalities. Nicole is now working as a trainee in the European Commission.

The scholarship will cover the full tuition fee for the whole year. The selected student is expected to pay for his/her own board and lodging, amounting to EUR6,000 (about HK$62,000). Applicants should normally be below 30 years of age, have (or be soon to receive) a Bachelor degree at least. They should be fluent in English and French, as the courses are taught in both languages. Their application should be endorsed by their college or university.

The 2005-2006 postgraduate programme covers two semesters commencing in September, 2005, and finishing in June, 2006. A student may choose to enrol in one of the three departments of European studies: Law, Economics, or Politics and Administration. Upon completion of the one-year programme, students are awarded the "Master in European Law (LLM)", the "Master of Arts in European Economic Studies", or the "Master of Arts in European Political and Administrative Studies".

Applicants should submit a completed application form, downloaded from the college's website at www.coleurop.be and the required supporting documents. The application should be sent in parallel to the Selection Committee (Hong Kong), the Selection Committee (Belgium) as well as to the College of Europe (see contact details below - further information about the course can also be found on the websites). The deadline for applications is Saturday, April 30, 2005.

Selection Committee (Belgium)

via Secretary to the Belgium-Hong Kong Society

Rue d'Arlon 118, 1040 Brussels, Belgium

Tel: +32(0)27 75 00 88 Fax: +32(0)27 70 09 80

E-mail: muriel_albert@hongkong-eu.org

Website : www.bhks.be

College of Europe, Bruges

Dijver 11, B-8000 Brugge, Belgium

Tel: +32(0)50 47 71 11 Fax: +32(0)50 47 71 00

E-mail: info.admissions@coleurop.be

Website: www.coleurop.be

Selection Committee (Hong Kong)