Dr Gary Ng says, "Thanks to the scholarship, I didn’t have to worry about my college fees and could focus on my hobbies and studies without needing to work part-time."
When Dr Ng found out that he had bone cancer on his 14th birthday, a life of youthful promise was instantly plunged into darkness. His father worked as a taxi driver while his mother did sewing jobs at home and medical expenses took a toll on his family’s savings. The teenager was distraught.
Fortunately, he was able to receive care from a team of committed healthcare professionals. He overcame the illness and returned to school after his left leg was amputated and chemotherapy.
This life-changing experience inspired him to become a doctor. In 2000, he won a place to study medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He then learned about The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships, which support students with outstanding intellect, character as well as leadership qualities, and who are dedicated to serving the community.
"I found the courage to apply for a scholarship and was lucky to be selected," Dr Ng recalls. "Thanks to the scholarship, I didn’t have to worry about my college fees and could focus on my hobbies and studies without needing to work part-time." While in university, he regularly took part in community activities, sharing his experience overcoming cancer as well as the challenges people with disabilities face. As an avid swimmer, he also represented Hong Kong in swimming events at the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled.
Dr Ng became an orthopaedist after he completed his medical studies, serving in the hospital where he had received cancer treatment as a teenager. Eight years later, he joined the Hospital Authority. Today he is responsible for pandemic contact tracing at the Centre for Health Protection.
Work aside, Dr Ng has been championing the rights of the disabled community and has served as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Handicapped Youth for years. He was also chosen as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Hong Kong in 2020.
Almost 20 years after university, Dr Ng still appreciates the Club’s scholarship for not having only covered his school fees but also for connecting him with a community of like-minded JC Scholars and fuelling his commitment to social service.
"It’s like an old friend who keeps you company, from school to work through life in general."
"The JC Scholars come from different professions and backgrounds but we all share one belief. Since we all got help from the scholarships, we asked what we could do to help others.” Dr Ng says. “So we founded the Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association to give back to society through voluntary tutoring programmes and community services."
He is grateful for the Club’s scholarship programme and its unwavering support. “It’s like an old friend who keeps you company, from school to work through life in general,” Dr Ng says, adding, “I will always be proud that I am a JC Scholar.”
Did you know?
Established in 1998, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships are one of the Club’s programmes to nurture local talent. To date, some HK$870 million in scholarships have been approved, supporting more than 1,000 students. Apart from undergraduate students, the scheme was expanded in 2015 to include students with special educational needs and those in vocational education. It also supports postgraduate students to pursue further studies at top notch universities in the world. The Club has extended the scholarships to two further schemes in 2023 to support outstanding students with top scores in the public examinations and students who have achieved excellence while demonstrating resilience and strength of mind to overcome adversities in life to pursue their studies in Hong Kong. The Club also provides JC Scholars with opportunities for further learning, personal development and social service.
Information updated to Nov 2023
Learn more about The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships.
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