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The following is issued on behalf of the Student Financial Assistance Agency:
More than 920 students, five working adults and two apprentices were presented with awards and scholarships under the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (SEYMF) at the 22nd Awards Presentation Ceremony, held at Hong Kong City Hall today (March 15). Officiating at the ceremony were Lady Youde; Dr Philip Wu Po-him, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Mr John Chan Cho-chak, the Chairman of the SEYMF Council, and other members of the Board of Trustees and the Council.
Lady Youde remarked, "For over 20 years, the objective of the Fund has been to promote education and research. Since its establishment in 1987, the Council and the Board of Trustees have been working closely to achieve this goal, and so far, the Fund has granted over $195 million to over 540,000 students through various awards and sponsored activities." She continued, "In the year ahead when the economy is bound to be volatile, we see it as vital for the Fund to give steadfast support to our young people, to help them build up their confidence, and inspire them to face up to the challenges ahead."
In pursuing its objective of encouraging and promoting the education and learning of the people of Hong Kong, the Fund has disbursed $9.03 million in the 2008/09 academic year. Presented this year were eight awards, plus two honorary awards, for overseas studies; 21 fellowships for post-graduate students, including one for the disabled; 73 scholarships for undergraduate and diploma students, including three for disabled students; six medals for students who obtained outstanding results in public examinations; 801 prizes for senior secondary school students; 17 awards for disabled students; two awards for outstanding apprentices and five awards for working adults who have undergone retraining and have successfully integrated themselves into their new work environment.
Exclusive sponsorship in the amount of $600,000 towards the Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Scheme continued in 2008/09 to increase the exposure of secondary school and tertiary students to the performing arts. One lecture was conducted under the sponsorship of the Distinguished Lecture Series. First launched in 2002/03, it aims to provide a forum for speakers nominated by professional bodies / associations to deliver lectures on issues of direct benefit to the people of Hong Kong.
Competition for the overseas fellowships and scholarships for 2009/10 was extremely keen. Eight brilliant contestants, from among 158 applicants, have won the awards. Each will receive a maximum of HK$283,000 and HK$262,000 a year for a fellowship award and a scholarship award respectively.
The award recipients for the Overseas Fellowships 2009/10 are:-
(1) Miss Fung Etta Healthy, currently a student studying voice at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, who intends to pursue a Master degree in vocal performance at the New England Conservatory of Music in the United States;
(2) Miss Ip Shuk-fan, currently working as an administration officer in an employment agency, who intends to pursue a Master degree in speech pathology studies at the University of Queensland in Australia;
(3) Miss Lau Wai-cheung, currently a student studying geography & resource management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who intends to pursue a Master degree in international planning at University College London in the United Kingdom;
(4) Miss Law Wai-shan, currently a PCLL student in law at the University of Hong Kong, who intends to pursue a Bachelor degree in civil law at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom;
(5) Mr Lee To-ching, currently a PCLL student in law at the University of Hong Kong, who intends to pursue a Master degree in law at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom;
(6) Mr Yu Lap-fai, currently an MPhil student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, who intends to pursue a PhD degree in computer science at the University of California, Los Angeles, in the United States;
The award recipients for the Overseas Scholarships 2009/10 are:-
(1) Mr Ding Xiang of King George V School, who intends to study economics at Harvard University in the United States; and
(2) Mr Lee Tsz-kiu of Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College, who intends to study English literature at Yale University in the United States.
In addition, Miss Luk Pui-ying will be awarded the Overseas Honorary Fellowship 2009/10 and Mr Leung Yin-chung the Overseas Honorary Scholarship 2009/10. Each will receive an honorary cash award of $10,000.
Six students who obtained outstanding results in the 2008 public examinations have been awarded the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Medals. They are:-
(1) Miss Chiu Yuk-ying of the Hang Seng School of Commerce, who scored 5As in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) in 2008;
(2) Mr Heung Hop-sang of the Hang Seng School of Commerce, who scored 5As in the HKALE in 2008;
(3) Miss Lai Ka-on of the Hang Seng School of Commerce, who scored 5As in the HKALE in 2008;
(4) Miss Ma Yiming of St. Stephen's Girls' College, who scored 10A/Level 5*s in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) in 2008;
(5) Miss Yang Yung-yung of St. Paul's Co-Educational College, who scored 10A/Level 5*s in the HKCEE in 2008; and
(6) Miss Yip Man-wa of Ho Fung College (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), who scored 8A/Level 5*s in the HKCEE in 2008.
The five working adults, nominated by the Employees Retraining Board and the Construction Industry Council Training Academy, who obtained Awards for Self-Improvement for Working Adults, are:-
(1) Ms Cheung Mei-lan, who took a basic clerical training course, is currently working as an outlet marketing supervisor in a retail shop;
(2) Mr Chiu Sin-poon, who took a full-time short course in painting, is currently working as a sub-contractor in a decoration company;
(3) Mr Lai Kwok-ying, who took a security and property management retraining course, is currently working as an assistant customer services supervisor in a property management company;
(4) Ms Ng Yim-king, who attended a masseur retraining course, is currently working as a masseur in a non-profit-making association; and
(5) Ms Tse Sheung-chun, who took a domestic helper training course, is currently working as a domestic helper.
The two apprentices, nominated by the Director of Apprenticeship, who obtained the Outstanding Apprentice Awards are:-
(1) Mr Keung Chun-ho, Vico, who is now pursuing a craft certificate in gas services engineering, is currently a domestic gas fitter in a gas supply company; and
(2) Mr Ngai Chin-wai, who completed a higher diploma in automotive engineering, is currently a vehicle technician in a motor services company.
A total of around $270,000 has been expended on the Award Scheme for Disabled Students to provide 17 awardees with financial assistance for the purchase of study aids.
The 21 postgraduate students this year have been awarded the SEYMF Fellowships at $30,000 each, while the 73 undergraduate and diploma students have been awarded the SEYMF Scholarships at $20,000 each.
The Fund has spent $801,000 on the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Prizes for 801 senior secondary school students from over 400 schools throughout the territory.
The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund has since its inception supported more than 18,200 Hong Kong students under its major schemes. Nearly 1,900 scholars and fellows have completed their studies and are now working in Hong Kong in different sectors, contributing to the well-being and development of the territory.
Ends/Sunday, March 15, 2009
Issued at HKT 15:25
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