The following is issued on behalf of the Commission on Poverty:

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, who is also the Chairperson of the Commission on Poverty (CoP), officiated at the Future Stars - Upward Mobility Scholarship Ceremony today (January 27), encouraging youngsters to face adversity and challenges with a positive and proactive attitude in life and learning.

     The Future Stars – Upward Mobility Scholarship is a scholarship scheme implemented by the CoP since 2014 to encourage students from secondary schools, special schools and institutions of Vocational Training Council who demonstrate resilience and a positive attitude in the face of adversity.  Funded by donations from all sectors of the community, scholarships in the amount of $5,000 provide assistance to less-privileged youths to better equip them in moving up the social ladder.

      Mr Cheung said that over the past four years, both the scholarship donations and the number of beneficiaries have been on the rise. In 2014, donations amounted to some $4.8 million, which benefitted 919 students from 363 schools. In 2017, donations of some $6.7 million were received to help 1 270 students from 450 schools. Over the past four years, nearly $24 million was donated to the scheme to benefit 4 521 students.

     At the ceremony today, Mr Cheung presented certificates of appreciation to donors, and thanked the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, schools and social welfare organisations which have been supportive of the scheme.

     In addition, Mr Cheung said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is striving to do its best in youth development work by addressing the concerns of young people on education, career pursuit and home ownership, and encouraging their participation in politics as well as public policy discussion and debate. The Government hopes that through this the younger generation will see hope and opportunities for upward mobility and be nurtured to become future pillars of society with vision, creativity, leadership and commitment.

     At the ceremony's discussion session, one of the donors, Dr William Leung, and scholarship awardees Ashraf Musaif of CCC Mongkok Church Kai Oi School, Li Po-yan of Hoi Ping Chamber of Commerce Secondary School and Lau Man-yee of Youth College (Yeo Chei Man) shared their stories and thoughts on the scholarship scheme.

     About 800 guests attended today's ceremony. In addition to student awardees, donors mainly from the business and professional sectors as well as representatives from participating schools attended the ceremony.

     Information on the Future Stars – Upward Mobility Scholarship can be obtained from the website of the CoP at www.povertyrelief.gov.hk.

Ends/Saturday, January 27, 2018
Issued at HKT 12:03

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