Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme opens for applications
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     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (September 24) announced that the Hong Kong Scholarship for Excellence Scheme (HKSES) will, from tomorrow until December 31, 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 2016/17 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 outstanding young achievers with global vision, international networks and world-class education, who would return home to enrich Hong Kong's talent pool and competitiveness in the long run. Selection will be based on academic achievements and other attributes such as leadership qualities and potential as well as contribution and commitment to society."

     Launched in November last year, the HKSES will benefit three cohorts of students, with up to 100 students per cohort, starting from the 2015/16 academic year. 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 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 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 earn the prestigious title of "Hong Kong Scholars" and receive a series of support and mentorship services to be rendered by the Government, members of the Steering Committee on the HKSES and other community and business organisations.

     More details of the HKSES are available at the HKSES website (www.edb.gov.hk/hkses). Eligible students who intend to enter the first year of undergraduate or postgraduate studies in world renowned universities outside Hong Kong in the 2016/17 academic year (i.e. during the period of August 2016 to July 2017) may submit their applications for scholarship online via the scholarship application system at the HKSES website on or before December 31, 2015 (by 6pm).

     Only shortlisted applicants who have received confirmed offers from their chosen universities and programmes will be invited to attend interviews from April next year onwards. They will be notified of the results after the interviews. Disbursement of the scholarship and bursary to the awardees will be arranged before they start their studies overseas in the 2016/17 academic year.

Ends/Thursday, September 24, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:02

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