Jockey Club scholars vow to keep serving the community

22 November 2007

A group of civic-minded university students celebrated their graduation tonight (22 November) at a dinner hosted by The Hong Kong Jockey Club by pledging to continue working for the betterment of society.

The 18 students are the seventh batch of scholars to graduate through The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship Scheme since its inauguration in 1998. They have distinguished themselves not only by their academic prowess but also by their willingness to devote spare time to caring for needy members of the community.

Tonight's graduates include students from Hong Kong's eight UGC-funded tertiary institutions and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), five of whom are from the Mainland. Some have already embarked on careers in various professions, while others are pursuing higher degrees locally or overseas. Parents and friends of many of the scholars joined them at the graduation dinner to celebrate their achievements.

As graduates of the scholarship scheme, the students have a common platform to continue their community work through the Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association. The Association launched a community service initiative entitled "Schoolala" at Kwai Chung Methodist College last year to design a wide range of workshops and activities for students of the college. By sharing their expertise and personal stories, the scholars hope to broaden the horizons of the secondary school students and help them identify their goals and pursue their dreams.

The programme has proved a success. Graduate Tung Chi-ho, a member of the organising committee of Schoolala, and now a teacher at a private high school in Kwun Tong, has successfully applied knowledge acquired from the Hong Kong Institute of Education and social experience gained from Schoolala to coach his students. He says this has helped him win their trust. "Like those students who have joined the Schoolala programme I hope my students are also brave enough to attempt and be persistent. It is not easy to change oneself. However if they start identifing their goal they are on the path to success," Tung said.

Graduate Aileen Zhao of Lingnan University shared her experience of being a new arrival from the Mainland. She said she had difficulties adapting to Hong Kong's living and learning environment when she first arrived. "With the support of other scholars and Lingnan University, I was able to regain my nerve and self-confidence. I joined an exchange programme to the United States in Year Two, and I have decided to stay in Hong Kong to develop my career after graduation," she said.

Aileen urged other mainland students to open their minds and take the initiative in understanding things happening around them in order to integrate into the community. "We should grasp the chance to broaden our horizons and advance our knowledge," she said.

Launched in 2002 with the Club's support, and officially inaugurated in 2004, the Alumni Association aims to build a strong network of scholars who can make good use of their diverse background and expertise to serve the community. The Association has organised a number of community service projects for elderly people, secondary school students, single-parent families, at-risk youth, young new arrivals and disabled children. The Club believes the scholars' enthusiasm helps promote the spirit of volunteerism, philanthropy and commitment in the community.

Club Chairman Mr John C C Chan reminded the scholars of the importance of community service. "The recent strong economy has provided ample opportunities, especially to fresh graduates. We hope that while our scholars are enjoying the benefits from a prosperous economy, they realise it is more important that they remember to contribute to society," he said.

About the HKJC Scholarship Scheme:

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship Scheme was established in 1998 with a donation of HK$102 million. It has provided an average of 27 scholarships each year from 1998/99 to 2008/09 academic year, for local and Mainland students to pursue three-year, first-degree courses at eight universities in Hong Kong, and at the HKAPA. Each scholar receives about HK$290,000 to cover tuition, academic expenses and living costs during his or her three-year course. So far, 209 students have been awarded scholarships.

Scholars are chosen by their respective tertiary institutions on the basis of outstanding academic ability, community service and other talents. Renewal of the scholarship depends on the level of the student's performance.