Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund 37th Awards Presentation Ceremony held today
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The 37th Awards Presentation Ceremony of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (SEYMF) was held at Hong Kong City Hall today (March 24). Around 930 students, three 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, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ms Kwan Sau-ha, and other members of the Council and the Board of Trustees. Lady Youde joined the ceremony online.
In her video speech at the ceremony, Lady Youde said, "The Fund has already disbursed more than $266 million. Over 865 000 students have received our awards or joined our sponsored activities. In the years to come, the Fund is committed to providing opportunities for young and more mature people to continue their education for the betterment of Hong Kong."
In the 2023/24 academic year, the Fund disbursed $3.19 million. Presented this year were two fellowship awards for overseas studies ($300,000 each); 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); 899 prizes for senior secondary school students and 12 prizes for students of the Vocational Training Council ($1,000 each); three 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 2024/25 academic year was extremely keen. Among 241 applicants, two were selected as awardees of the overseas fellowships. They are:
(1) Mr Li Sau-long, who is currently an undergraduate student majoring in civil engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and intends to pursue a Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom; and
(2) Mr Wong Chi-ngai, who is currently an undergraduate student majoring in cell and molecular biology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and intends to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy's degree in Neurosciences 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 2023 HKDSE Examination are:
(1) Mr Law Chak-ka of Queen's College;
(2) Miss Cheung Yim-ting of Diocesan Girls' School;
(3) Miss Chow Sze-yuet of St Mary's Canossian College;
(4) Mr Lin Shun-heng of Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School;
(5) Miss Hung Hiu-tung of Ying Wa Girls' School; and
(6) Miss Sze Lok-yin of St Paul's Convent School.
The three apprentices, nominated by the Director of Apprenticeship, who obtained the Outstanding Apprentice Awards are:
(1) Mr Lui Ka-ming, who attained a Diploma of Vocational Education (Electrical Engineering) and is currently an assistant technician;
(2) Miss Wong Sum-yi, who attained a Higher Diploma in Building Services Engineering and is currently an assistant engineer; and
(3) Mr Zhu Derui, who attained a Higher Diploma in Building Services Engineering and is currently an assistant engineer.
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 Chong Tak-ying, who completed a Certificate in Post-natal Care Worker Training and is currently a post-natal care worker;
(2) Ms Huang Weidan, who completed a Certificate in Health Worker Training and is currently a trainer of health workers;
(3) Ms Li Yizhen, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Assistant for Chinese Medical Clinic Training and is currently a junior research assistant;
(4) Mr Wong King-fung, who completed a Foundation Certificate in Electrical Wireman Training (Intermediate Trade Test) and is currently an artisan in plumbing and electrical works; and
(5) Mr Yau Kin-man, who completed a Certificate in Site Surveying and is currently an assistant surveyor.
Since its inception, the SEYMF has supported around 30 500 Hong Kong students under its major schemes. Over 2 890 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 2023/24, 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. During the year, around 4 000 students became members of the Young Friends and around 13 600 students participated in various programmes and activities under this scheme.
Ends/Sunday, March 24, 2024
Issued at HKT 16:36
Issued at HKT 16:36
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