The following is issued on behalf of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency:

     Around 850 students, four apprentices and five working adults were presented with scholarships and awards at the 32nd Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (SEYMF) at Hong Kong City Hall today (March 17).

     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 the establishment of the Fund, over $252 million has been given to more than 794 000 people through a variety of awards and sponsored activities. It is inspiring to see our awardees take up new challenges and to witness their success in their chosen fields."

     Since its inception, the SEYMF has supported around 26 000 Hong Kong students under its major schemes. Over 2 750 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.

     In the 2018/19 academic year, the Fund disbursed $2.35 million. Presented this year were one fellowship award for overseas studies ($300,000); four fellowships for postgraduate students ($50,000 each); seven scholarships for undergraduate students ($40,000 each); one fellowship and one scholarship for two disabled postgraduate and undergraduate students ($50,000 and $40,000 respectively); six medals for students who obtained outstanding results in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination ($5,000 each); 814 prizes for senior secondary school students and 12 prizes for students of the Vocational Training Council ($1,000 each); four awards for outstanding apprentices ($5,000 each); and five awards for working adults who underwent retraining and successfully applied what they learned in their new positions ($5,000 each).

     Competition for overseas fellowships and scholarships for 2019/20 was extremely keen. One brilliant contestant, from among 227 applicants, won the award. The 2019/20 overseas fellowship recipient is Mr Wong Chak-kui, currently a student studying chemistry at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who intends to pursue a PhD in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

     The six students who were awarded the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Medals for obtaining outstanding results in the 2018 HKDSE Examination are:

(1) Mr Wong Tsz-hang of La Salle College;

(2) Miss Chan Hiu-man of Tseung Kwan O Government Secondary School;

(3) Mr Luk Hei of St. Paul's Co-educational College;

(4) Miss Lo Si-tsai of HKUGA College;

(5) Mr Ng Ki-ho of St. Paul's Co-educational College; and

(6) Mr Wong Yiu-lun of Queen Elizabeth School.

     The four apprentices, nominated by the Director of Apprenticeship, who obtained the Outstanding Apprentice Awards are:

(1) Mr Chan Chak-yuen, who attained a Diploma in Civil Engineering and is currently an assistant site supervisor;

(2) Mr Fan Kwok-hay, who attained a Diploma in Vocational Education (Electrical Engineering) and is currently an assistant technician;

(3) Mr Kot Wai-po, who attained a Certificate of Vocational Education (Gas Services Engineering) and is currently a service technician; and

(4) Miss Lau Tsz-ling, who attained a Diploma in Building Services Engineering and is currently a building services engineering trainee.

     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) Ms Fu Siu-man, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Occupational Therapist Assistant Training and is currently an occupational therapist and physiotherapist assistant;

(2) Mr So Yuk-yam, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Standard Security and Property Management and is currently a senior building attendant;

(3) Ms Tam Kit-choi, who completed a Diploma in Building Construction Supervision and is currently an engineer (building);

(4) Ms Nicky Wong Pui-man, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Healthcare Massage and is currently a masseur; and

(5) Ms Xiao Jieming, who completed a Real Estate Customer Service Training Course and is currently an account manager.

     In 2018/19, 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. This year, over 6 200 students became members of the Young Friends and around 17 000 students participated in various programmes and activities under this scheme.

Ends/Sunday, March 17, 2019
Issued at HKT 15:30

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