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Jockey Club scholars reaffirm their pledge to serve the community

24 November 2009

The achievements of the latest 25 outstanding students to graduate under The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship Scheme were celebrated tonight (24 November) at a Graduation Dinner hosted by the Club.  Attendees included Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson, noted orthopaedic surgeon and Chairman of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Dr Ko Wing-man, Club Stewards and representatives from the city's tertiary institutions, as well as families and friends of the scholars.

Mr Stevenson observed that this was a special month of celebrations for the Club, as it had recently marked its 125th Anniversary.  "Over the years, the Club has helped countless different organisations and projects in the fields of education, healthcare, community services and recreation, but the HKJC Scholarship Scheme is a self-initiated project of which we feel especially proud - not least because its results and value to our city's next generation are here in this room for all to see," he commented.

Praising the scholars for adopting the Club's spirit of serving the community, Mr Stevenson said it was important to care about others in society through both good times and bad.  "In past years, we have been delighted to see our scholars living up to their commitment by devoting some of their time and energy to the community services organised by the Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association," he said.  "It is encouraging to see them passing on their passion to the younger generation through projects such as Schoolala, which helps secondary students discover their life goals.  We hope they will utilise the knowledge and experience gained from this work to continue giving back to the community."

Dr Ko, this year's keynote speaker, thanked the Club's long-standing support to NGOs, without which a lot of projects would not be made possible.  He also shared his experiences from being a frontline healthcare practitioner, to being a part of the management team of the Hospital Authority and how he faced up to the difficult challenges during the SARS outbreak.  He also encouraged students to keep a positive attitude and use a rational approach to solve problems, and utilise their knowledge to contribute  to the community.

This year, 25 scholars have graduated from the eight UGC-funded tertiary institutions and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, eight of whom are from the Mainland.  Jenny Tang, a graduate of The Hong Kong Institute of Education, is currently working as a music teacher at Ho Ngai College.  "The knowledge that I've learned from school and The Alumni Association's community service programmes have prepared me well to attain my goal of teaching music," she said.  "I hope to use music as a medium to encourage students to open their minds and take the initiative to learn things in a positive manner."

Lingnan University finance graduate Johnny Chong recounted some of his struggles at work during the economic downturn.  "After graduation, I could not get used to the new working environment at first and thought of quitting my job," he said, "but later I came to understand that this is only one of the minor challenges in my growing-up process.  Therefore I have persisted and overcome the difficulties.  I'm glad that I did not give up hastily."

Veronica Tse, who graduated from The University of Hong Kong, is now an Administrative Officer with the Hong Kong SAR Government.  She volunteered as an English teacher for young Myanmar refugees in North Thailand during summer.  Following this unique experience, Veronica has pledged to continue assisting the needy in future.  "I met a 17 year-old who said he joined a rebel group of his clan to fight against the government army," she recalls.  "He lost his innocence at such a young age and was forced to face the cruel world.  Comparatively speaking, Hong Kong's young people are very lucky indeed."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship Scheme was established in 1998.  It provides an average of 27 scholarships each year for local and Mainland students to pursue three-year first degree courses in the eight UGC-funded institutions and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.  It was originally planned as a ten-year Scheme, but to dovetail with the new academic structure for senior secondary and higher education (commonly known as the "3-3-4" system) it has been extended to 2011/12, the last year before universities launch the four-year curriculum.  The Club's total contribution amounts to HK$107 million.

Scholars are chosen by their respective tertiary institutions on the basis of outstanding academic ability as well as their community service record and other talents.  Renewal of the scholarship depends on the level of the student's performance.  Each student receives approximately HK$290,000 over the full three-year period.  So far, 263 students have been awarded scholarships.

About the Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association

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.

125th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2009/10 season.  Over the past 125 years, it has become one of Hong Kong's best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city's major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city's growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson praises the Scholars and their Alumni Association for adopting the Club!|s spirit of serving the community.
Photo 1:
Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson praises the Scholars and their Alumni Association for adopting the Club!|s spirit of serving the community.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson presents graduation pins to the Scholars.
Photo 2:
Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson presents graduation pins to the Scholars.

A group photo of this year!|s graduates with Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson (centre); Club Stewards Simon Ip (back row, 3rd from left), Anthony Chow (back row, 2nd from left) and Michael Lee (back row, 1st from left); Chairman of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Dr Ko Wing-man (8th from right); and Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (4th from right).
Photo 3:
A group photo of this year!|s graduates with Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson (centre); Club Stewards Simon Ip (back row, 3rd from left), Anthony Chow (back row, 2nd from left) and Michael Lee (back row, 1st from left); Chairman of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Dr Ko Wing-man (8th from right); and Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (4th from right).

Chairman of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Dr Ko Wing-man shares his  professional and personal experiences with the participants.
Photo 4:
Chairman of the Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society Dr Ko Wing-man shares his professional and personal experiences with the participants.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson presents a token of appreciation to keynote speaker Dr Ko Wing-man.
Photo 5:
Hong Kong Jockey Club Deputy Chairman T Brian Stevenson presents a token of appreciation to keynote speaker Dr Ko Wing-man.

(From right): Veronica Tse, Johnny Chong and Jenny Tse, graduates of HKJC Scholarship Scheme, during the experience-sharing session.
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(From right): Veronica Tse, Johnny Chong and Jenny Tse, graduates of HKJC Scholarship Scheme, during the experience-sharing session.

Photos 7/8/9:  Five scholars from Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts perform at the graduation celebration dinner.
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Photos 7/8/9:
Five scholars from Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts perform at the graduation celebration dinner.

Photos 7/8/9:  Five scholars from Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts perform at the graduation celebration dinner.
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Photos 7/8/9:  Five scholars from Hong Kong Baptist University and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts perform at the graduation celebration dinner.
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Photos: 10/11/12/13/14/15<BR>Highlights of the event
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Photos: 10/11/12/13/14/15
Highlights of the event

Photos: 10/11/12/13/14/15<BR>Highlights of the event
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Photos: 10/11/12/13/14/15<BR>Highlights of the event
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