Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme opens for applications
***************************************************************

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (September 29) announced that the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme (HKSES) will, from today until December 29, be open for applications from eligible Hong Kong students who intend to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies at world renowned universities outside Hong Kong starting from the 2018/19 academic year.

     A spokesman for the EDB said, "As a merit-based scheme targeting the most outstanding Hong Kong students, the HKSES seeks to cultivate a cadre of brilliant young achievers with global vision, international networks and world-class education, who will return home to enrich Hong Kong's talent pool and competitiveness in the long run. Selection will be based on candidates' academic achievements and other attributes such as leadership qualities and potential as well as contribution and commitment to society. Awardees are required to complete their specific study programmes and undertake to return to Hong Kong upon graduation to work for at least two years or a period equivalent to the duration of the scholarship received, whichever is longer."

     Under the HKSES, all awardees will receive a non-means-tested scholarship to cover their tuition fees, subject to a ceiling of HK$250,000 per annum, whichever is lower. In addition, a means-tested bursary will be granted to students who may need additional support to pursue their studies, subject to a ceiling of HK$200,000 per student per annum. The value of the award will be correspondingly reduced if an awardee also receives other awards, both locally and abroad, or assistance to finance his/her same studies overseas.

     Apart from the monetary reward, the value of the HKSES lies in its prestige and recognition as well as other non-monetary benefits. Awardees will receive a series of support and mentorship services to be rendered by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, members of the Steering Committee on the HKSES and other sectors of the community.

     More details on the HKSES are available at the HKSES website (www.edb.gov.hk/hkses). Eligible students who intend to pursue their first year of undergraduate or postgraduate studies at world renowned universities outside Hong Kong in the 2018/19 academic year (i.e. during the period from August 2018 to July 2019) may submit their applications for scholarship online via the application system at the HKSES website on or before December 29, 2017 (by 6pm).

     Shortlisted applicants who have received confirmed offers from their chosen universities and programmes will be invited to attend interviews for the scholarship from April next year onwards. They will be notified of the results after the interviews.

Ends/Friday, September 29, 2017
Issued at HKT 12:00

NNNN