Inspiring Hong Kong youth: “Nurturing the Future” rocket launch marks milestone in innovation talent project
Watch the student journey unfold in this video.
Building the foundations of philanthropy often means investing in people by nurturing talent, expanding horizons, and creating opportunities that strengthen the sector for the long term. For IoP, this focus on capacity building is central to our work.
The Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project is one example: a three-year initiative designed to nurture Hong Kong’s young talents in innovation and technology (I&T) with national awareness and a global perspective, supported by IoP and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups as strategic partners.
On December 10, that mission came to life when 39 Hong Kong students and teachers witnessed the launch of the “Nurturing the Future” rocket at the Dongfeng aerospace innovation zone near Jiuquan, the primary launch site of China’s space programme. Carrying nine satellites into orbit, the launch was more than a technical milestone, it was a transformative experience for young people beginning to see how science and social progress connect.
Students described the five-day programme, which combined lectures with leading aerospace scientists and cultural visits to Jiayuguan Fortress and the Great Wall, as exceptional Yang Tsz Lui from Kowloon True Light School, said: “I realised aerospace spans far broader fields than I imagined, and I can connect my love of mathematics, physics, and art to this industry.”
The delegation also included nine students from Small Group Homes under JC Project Bonfire, many of whom were visiting the Chinese Mainland for the first time. One participant described the lectures by aerospace scientists as “inspirational,” adding: “This experience has filled me with hope for my future career path.”
By supporting initiatives like these, IoP demonstrates how philanthropy can build the sector from the ground up by investing in young innovators today to ensure the leadership and capacity needed for tomorrow.
Building the foundations of philanthropy often means investing in people by nurturing talent, expanding horizons, and creating opportunities that strengthen the sector for the long term. For IoP, this focus on capacity building is central to our work.
The Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project is one example: a three-year initiative designed to nurture Hong Kong’s young talents in innovation and technology (I&T) with national awareness and a global perspective, supported by IoP and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups as strategic partners.
On December 10, that mission came to life when 39 Hong Kong students and teachers witnessed the launch of the “Nurturing the Future” rocket at the Dongfeng aerospace innovation zone near Jiuquan, the primary launch site of China’s space programme. Carrying nine satellites into orbit, the launch was more than a technical milestone, it was a transformative experience for young people beginning to see how science and social progress connect.
Students described the five-day programme, which combined lectures with leading aerospace scientists and cultural visits to Jiayuguan Fortress and the Great Wall, as exceptional Yang Tsz Lui from Kowloon True Light School, said: “I realised aerospace spans far broader fields than I imagined, and I can connect my love of mathematics, physics, and art to this industry.”The delegation also included nine students from Small Group Homes under JC Project Bonfire, many of whom were visiting the Chinese Mainland for the first time. One participant described the lectures by aerospace scientists as “inspirational,” adding: “This experience has filled me with hope for my future career path.”
By supporting initiatives like these, IoP demonstrates how philanthropy can build the sector from the ground up by investing in young innovators today to ensure the leadership and capacity needed for tomorrow.