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Jockey Club scholarships recognise students’ outstanding achievements and community contributions

11/05/2020

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (5 November) awarded scholarships to a new cohort of 45 undergraduates from various tertiary institutions in recognition of their outstanding academic performance and commitment to serve the community, and to six postgraduates to support their pursuance of master’s or doctoral degrees at the University of Oxford or Harvard University. The Club also congratulated 25 graduating scholars as they embark on new endeavours.

At the Recognition Ceremony held online this year, Club Chairman Philip Chen was joined by Guest of Honour, Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine and Director of the Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Joseph Sung; Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; Club Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung; and representatives from the participating tertiary institutions.

“The key focus of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships is to cultivate a younger generation with the right drive and the right motivation,” said Mr Chen. “My genuine wish is that you will become leaders in our community – dedicated to building a better, more caring, more compassionate society.”

Mr Chen also noted two Jockey Club Scholars – Gary Ng (2000 Scholar) and Michelle Siu (2017 Scholar) – had been recently named among the Ten Outstanding Young Persons 2020. He said: “I am inspired and heartened by the examples set by Jockey Club Scholars. During these challenging times, and indeed over the past many years, our alumni have repeatedly demonstrated care and leadership, echoing the Jockey Club’s purpose of the betterment of society.”

Congratulating the graduating scholars and new recipients, Professor Sung encouraged the scholars to take advantage of moments of solitude during the pandemic. He cited three distinguished historical figures – Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and John Milton – who used their episodes of isolation to redefine science and literature. “I am sure all of you are very talented as HKJC Scholars, and you have the potential to make the lives of mankind better,” he said.

The 45 new Jockey Club Scholars are studying at the eight UGC-funded tertiary institutions and The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA). Since 1998, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships have been awarded to more than 750 talented local and Mainland students to pursue their studies, supported by contributions from the Club’s Charities Trust totalling over HK$500 million.

In addition to recognising undergraduates studying at the eight UGC-funded tertiary institutions and HKAPA, the scheme also benefits undergraduate students with special educational needs at the nine institutions, as well as 15 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. The Club is committed to nurturing local talent and supporting Scholars become leaders of the community.

To strengthen bonds among its Scholars, the Club has established The Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association, which offers a wide range of social service opportunities. A Scholarship Secretariat has also been set up to facilitate Scholars’ further learning and personal development.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2019/20, the Club contributed HK$19.9 billion in duty and profits tax and HK$0.8 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.5 billion. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.


Picture 1:
Club Chairman Philip Chen said JC Scholars have repeatedly demonstrated care and leadership, echoing the Club’s purpose of the betterment of society.


Picture 2:
Guest of Honour Professor Joseph Sung said JC Scholars are very talented and they have the potential to make the lives of mankind better.


Picture 3:
The new cohort of JC Scholars and graduating scholars hold up their scholarship certificates and graduation pins.