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

     The 36th Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (SEYMF) was held at Hong Kong City Hall today (March 19). Around 940 students, four apprentices and five working adults were presented with scholarships and awards.

     Officiating at the ceremony were the Chairman of the SEYMF Council, Mr Ma Ching-cheng, and other members of the Board of Trustees and the Council. Lady Youde also joined the event online.

     In her video speech at the ceremony, Lady Youde said, "The Fund has so far disbursed more than $263 million. Over 829 000 students have received our awards or joined our sponsored activities. In the years to come, the Fund is committed to helping the young talent of Hong Kong to bring out their best, and encouraging a wide spectrum of learners, from secondary students to working adults, to strive for excellence."
 
     In the 2022/23 academic year, the Fund disbursed $2.63 million. Presented this year were one fellowship award for overseas studies ($300,000); one overseas scholarship for a disabled student ($280,000); three fellowships for postgraduate students ($50,000 each); six scholarships for undergraduate students ($40,000 each); one scholarship for a disabled undergraduate student ($40,000); six medals for students who obtained outstanding results in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination ($5,000 each); 911 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 the 2023/24 academic year was extremely keen. Among 244 applicants, Ms Tai Chung-yee was selected as the awardee of the 2023/24 overseas fellowship. She is currently a video producer and intends to pursue a Master's degree in Animation and Digital Arts at the University of Southern California in the United States.
 
     The recipient of the 2023/24 scholarship for disabled students is Mr Chan Hiu-long of Baptist Lui Ming Choi Secondary School. He intends to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematical and Computational Science at Stanford University in the United States.
 
     The six students who were awarded the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Medals for obtaining outstanding results in the 2022 HKDSE Examination are:
 
(1) Miss Chow Hoi-tung of Heep Yunn School;
 
(2) Mr Kam Chung-hin of King's College;
 
(3) Mr Tse Shing-chun of Queen Elizabeth School;
 
(4) Mr Fok Chin-long of Wah Yan College, Kowloon;
 
(5) Mr Keung Ho-lun of St. Paul's Co-educational College; and
 
(6) Mr Stephen Shek Yan-to of Queen's College.
 
     The four apprentices, nominated by the Director of Apprenticeship, who obtained the Outstanding Apprentice Awards are:
 
(1) Mr Fung Wing-hei, who attained a Certificate of Vocational Education (Lift and Escalator) and is currently a lift electrician;
 
(2) Mr Lau Kam-ming, who attained a Higher Diploma in Building Services Engineering and is currently a building services technician;
 
(3) Mr Lee Chun-yin, who attained a Certificate of Vocational Education (Gas Services Engineering) and is currently a gas utilisation fitter; and
 
(4) Mr Lui Yuk-lun, who attained a Higher Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and is currently a mechanical engineering technician.

     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 Chan Tsz-yuk, who completed a Basic Craft Course in Plumbing and Pipe-fitting and is currently an engineer;
 
(2) Ms Ho Lai-ling, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Advanced Security and Property Management and is currently a customer service assistant;
 
(3) Mr Tsang Wai, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Property Maintenance and is currently a grade II fitter;
 
(4) Ms Tse Sui-yu, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Physiotherapist Assistant Training and is currently a health worker; and
 
(5) Ms Wong Chuk-lam, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Post-natal Care Worker Training and is currently a post-natal care worker.
 
     Since its inception, the SEYMF has supported around 29 600 Hong Kong students under its major schemes. Over 2 880 scholars and fellows have completed their studies and are now working in different sectors in Hong Kong, contributing to the well-being and development of society.
 
     In 2022/23, 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 performing arts. In 2022/23, over 4 000 students became members of the Young Friends and around 14 000 students participated in various programmes and activities under this scheme.

Ends/Sunday, March 19, 2023
Issued at HKT 15:06

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