Club supports Science Innovation Centre scheme to nurture young talents

30 April 2010

Hong Kong students have excelled in the international science arena in recent years.  To further enhance the younger generation's interest in science and develop their creativity, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated HK$2.54 million for The Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association (HKNGCA) to carry out the New Generation Innovation & Technology Talents Nurturing Scheme through its Science Innovation Centre for three years.

Today (30 April), the Club's Executive Director, Charities, Legal & Corporate Secretariat, Douglas So, joined the Education Bureau's Principal Education Officer Benjamin Yung and other guests to officiate at the Scheme's launch ceremony at the Hong Kong Science Museum.

Mr So said the work of the HKNGCA was highly regarded by the Club.  Over the past decade, the Club's Charities Trust had donated over HK$5 million to support various educational programmes and competitions it had organised.

"Through funding programmes at the Science Innovation Centre, we aim to further nurture the younger generation's interest in science and technology and help develop their creative potential," Mr So explained.  "We hope these programmes will help provide a more solid foundation for the future development of Hong Kong."

The Club has supported numerous other projects to groom local science and creative talents over the past years, Mr So noted, including funding the establishment of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology in 1991 which has now become a world-class tertiary institution.  The Club has also funded the Learning through Engineering, Art and Design (LEAD) project and Hong Kong Odyssey of the Mind Competitions organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups; as well as supporting SkyHigh Creative Partners in Tin Shui Wai with the aim of providing training and job opportunities for young creative talent.

The three-year Club-funded Scheme comprises three components, namely a Science Talent Search & Nurturing Series, a Lectures and Workshops Series, and an Exhibition and Promotion Series.  These programmes aim to promote science and technology literacy in schools, foster the development of creative minds and invention skills, and arouse interest in science and innovation among students, teachers and families. Gifted students will be provided with special training such as a mentorship programme, while roving exhibitions will be organised in schools and elsewhere in the community to showcase students' projects and inventions.  The latest exhibition, showcasing winning entries in this year's Hong Kong Youth Science and Technology Invention Competition, will be open from now until 5 May at the Hong Kong Science Museum.  The exhibition will be moved to Tai Po Mega Mall in early July.

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.