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The following is issued on behalf of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency:
Around 430 students, five working adults and two apprentices were presented with scholarships and awards at the 29th Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (SEYMF) at Hong Kong City Hall today (March 13).
Officiating at the ceremony were Lady Youde; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr Ma Ching-cheng; the Chairman of the SEYMF Council, Professor Richard Ho, and other members of the Board of Trustees and the Council.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lady Youde said, "Since its inception in 1987, the Fund has disbursed over $243 million to more than 740,000 students through various kinds of awards and sponsored activities. With the Fund approaching its 30th anniversary, I am certain it will remain committed to making sure talented young people will be well prepared to tackle the exciting challenges ahead and to make a significant contribution to the development of Hong Kong."
In the 2015/16 academic year, the Fund has disbursed $6.51 million. Presented this year were four fellowships for postgraduate students; eight scholarships for undergraduate students; two scholarships for disabled students; six medals for students who obtained outstanding results in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination; 402 prizes for senior secondary school students and six prizes for students of the Vocational Training Council; two awards for outstanding apprentices; and five awards for working adults who underwent retraining and successfully integrated into their new work environment.
Also in 2015/16, the Fund continued to provide an annual sponsorship of $600,000 towards the Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival to increase the exposure of secondary school and tertiary students to the performing arts. In 2015, more than 6,800 students became members of the Young Friends and around 27,800 students participated in various programmes and activities under this scheme.
Four postgraduate students were awarded the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships at $50,000 each, while eight undergraduate students were awarded the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Scholarships at $40,000 each. In addition, two disabled students pursuing undergraduate studies locally were awarded scholarships of $40,000 each.
Six students who obtained outstanding results in the 2015 HKDSE Examination were awarded Sir Edward Youde Memorial Medals. They are:
(1) Miss Lau Hiu-ching of Diocesan Girls' School;
(2) Miss Wong Chi-yiu of St Mary's Canossian College;
(3) Miss Wong Hoi-shuen of St Paul's School (Lam Tin);
(4) Miss Andrea Au Chor-kiu of Diocesan Girls' School;
(5) Mr Lin Pak-ho of St Mark's School; and
(6) Miss Wu Shi-kei of St Paul's Convent School.
The Fund also awarded Sir Edward Youde Memorial Prizes for Senior Secondary School Students, amounting to $408,000 in total, to 402 senior secondary school students from schools throughout the territory and six students from the Vocational Training Council.
The two apprentices, nominated by the Director of Apprenticeship, who obtained the Outstanding Apprentice Awards are:
(1) Mr Lee Ka-faat, who attained a Diploma in Building Studies, and is currently a construction technician; and
(2) Mr Yau King-lam, who attained a Craft Certificate in Gas Services Engineering, and is currently a gas utilisation fitter.
The five working adults nominated by the Employees Retraining Board and the Construction Industry Council, who obtained the Awards for Self-Improvement for Working Adults, are:
(1) Mr Chow Dick-hong, who completed a short course in Measurement Technician, and is currently a project manager;
(2) Mr Hang King-yeung, who completed a Certificate in Arboricultural Management, and is currently a flora conservation supervisor;
(3) Mr Tong Chi-ming, who completed a Certificate in Advanced Security and Property Management, and is currently a senior security guard;
(4) Mr Tong Shing-hei, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Barista Training, and is currently a senior barista; and
(5) Mr Wang Shengwei, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Property Maintenance, and is currently a technician.
The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund has since its inception supported over 23,500 Hong Kong students under its major schemes. Over 2,500 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 society.
Ends/Sunday, March 13, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:00
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