Young people commended by SHA for multi-faceted excellence (with photos)
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     The Secretary for Home Affairs (SHA), Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (October 31) officiated at the first award presentation ceremony for the SHA's Commendation Scheme for Youth, at which he commended 33 young people for excelling in volunteer services and youth activities. At the ceremony, he also awarded Multi-faceted Excellence Scholarships to 20 students for their achievements in non-academic fields including sport, arts and community service.
 
     Speaking at the ceremony launching the SHA's Commendation Scheme for Youth, Mr Lau said, "We hope the Scheme's awardees will set further good examples by encouraging more young people to participate enthusiastically in volunteer services and contribute to society."
 
     Mr Lau also praised the 20 Multi-faceted Excellence Scholarship awardees as role models. He said that the scholarship aims to highlight that academic achievement is not the only criterion for excellence. Young people who cultivate their strengths and interests, possess a positive attitude towards life and equip themselves to realise their potential, will certainly be appreciated and recognised, he added.
 
     The Home Affairs Bureau established the Multi-faceted Excellence Scholarship in 2015/16 with an aim of fostering attainment in non-academic fields. It supports universities and tertiary institutions in admitting local undergraduate students who exhibit outstanding achievements in sport, arts and community service.
 
     Scholarship applicants are nominated by their secondary school principals. An assessment panel comprising representatives from various social sectors recommends candidates for admission by universities and tertiary institutions. The universities then give conditional offers to the selected candidates that they intend to admit before the release of HKDSE examination results. If nominees attain HKDSE results that meet the admission conditions, pass further interviews arranged by the universities (if any), and are consequently admitted for the undergraduate programmes they have applied for, they will be awarded the scholarship.
 
     This year's awardees under the SHA's Commendation Scheme for Youth and Multi-faceted Excellence Scholarship are listed in the Annexes.

Ends/Monday, October 31, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:23

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