Jockey Club Scholars devote themselves to serving the community

4 December 2008

A group of some twenty Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholars gathered tonight (4 December) to celebrate their graduation with Club Chairman John C C Chan, keynote speaker Vincent Cheng Hoi-chuen, parents and friends at a dinner hosted by The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The 27 civic-minded students are the eighth batch of Scholars to graduate through The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship Scheme since its inauguration in 1998. This batch of graduates comprises 18 local and nine mainland students who have graduated from Hong Kong's eight UGC-funded tertiary institutions and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Some have already embarked on their careers while others are pursuing a higher degree, but all have pledged to continue working for the betterment of society.

Many of them will do so through the Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association, established by former Scholars to provide a channel for continued community service. One of the Association's most successful initiatives to date is a project entitled "Schoolala", set up in 2006 to design a range of workshops and activities for a group of secondary school students. Following the enthusiastic response to this programme, the Alumni launched an activity called "Dreamania@Schoolala" in the 2007 summer vacation to help students pursue their life goals. The Association has since published a book recording the Scholars' experiences, with the aim of inspiring other young people to identify their goals and fulfil their dreams.

Speaking at tonight's dinner, Club Chairman John C C Chan expressed his appreciation for the Scholars' enthusiasm and wholehearted devotion to community services. "The recent worldwide financial tsunami may have shaken the confidence of Hong Kong people. During such difficult times, we believe that it's more important than ever to share your love and care with others," he said.

In his keynote speech Mr Cheng, who is Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, talked about his personal and social experiences in overcoming adversity and reminded the Scholars to prepare themselves well for meeting the challenges ahead.

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 as well as 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, some 230 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.

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.