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The Hong Kong Jockey Club has long been committed to nurturing the talent of Hong Kong’s young people; individuals who will one day lead our community and contribute to its betterment. This is the objective of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships, which over the last 23 years have established a special identity and vision, founded on principles of leadership and community service.

At the Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships Presentation Ceremony held on 2 November, the Club granted new scholarships to 45 students and congratulated 54 recently graduated Scholars as they embarked on their careers. Club Chairman Philip Chen was joined by Guest of Honour Daniel Chan, Badminton Men’s Singles WH2 Bronze Medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games; Club Deputy Chairman Michael Lee; Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung; Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Raymond Tam, and representatives from participating tertiary institutions.

Club Chairman Philip Chen encouraged Jockey Club Scholars to take everything that they have learned to heart. In particular he urged them to uphold the highest ethical standards and integrity; to be positive and have no fear of facing challenges; to work hard and put the overall interest above their own desires; and never to forget they are part of the community and that many people need their help.

Mr Chen also noted that the Club’s commitment is not just to develop the intellectual capacity of Scholars but also their sense of social responsibility. For the Club’s sole purpose is the betterment of society.

Sharing his own words of inspiration was this year’s Guest of Honour, Daniel Chan, who won a bronze medal in the Badminton Men’s Singles WH2 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Despite losing his left leg in an accident more than ten years ago, Chan has never given up, becoming the first wheelchair badminton player in Hong Kong. Indeed his Paralympic bronze is just one of many sporting honours. His resilience and drive for excellence reflect the ‘can-do’ spirit shared by both Hong Kong and the Club. Congratulating this year’s Jockey Club Scholars, Chan urged them to cherish what they have now, to believe in themselves and to dare pursue their dreams.

Since 1998, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships have been awarded to more than 800 outstanding Hong Kong and Mainland students. To date, the Club has contributed some HK$640 million to the Scholarships through its Charities Trust.

In addition to supporting undergraduates studying at the eight UGC-funded tertiary institutions and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the Scholarships benefit undergraduate students with special educational needs at the nine institutions, as well as 18 students each year in vocational education programmes pursuing higher diplomas or overseas bachelor’s degrees.

Another six graduates each year are given the opportunity to join postgraduate programmes at the University of Oxford or Harvard University.

To strengthen fellowship among Scholars, the Club has established the Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association, which offers a wide range of social service opportunities. A Talent Development Secretariat facilitates Scholars’ further learning and personal development.

Among this year’s awardees is Doris Wong, who is pursuing Civil Engineering at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. A sports lover, she is an assistant coach for the U16 regional netball academy programme. The experience has taught her a lot about the hardships athletes face, especially disabled athletes. She has a lot of respect for their grit and determination. She is therefore hoping to do her best to improve their lives. One idea is to develop an educational computer game for heavily handicapped students. “I am fortunate enough to receive this scholarship from the Club, so I should give back to those in need, sharing the Club’s ethos of giving back to society,” she said.

Nurturing talents and building sector capacity to address changing social needs is a key focus for the Club in its commitment to the betterment of society. This is made possible by the Club’s unique integrated business model, through which it contributes tax and charity support to Hong Kong. Besides the Scholarships it has funded such projects as InnoPower@JC: Fellowship for Teachers and Social Workers, which seeks to cultivate creativity and innovation in the education and social service sectors.