[The following is issued jointly by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Institute of Philanthropy]

Chinese Mainland experts inspire thousands of Hong Kong students in cutting-edge technologies and culture

More than 4,300 students across 34 Hong Kong secondary schools are engaging with leading Chinese Mainland experts in artificial intelligence, aerospace, energy technology, traditional Chinese medicine, robotics and cultural conservation through a citywide series of “The Master Classes for Youth” designed to spark interest in innovation, technology, and culture. Organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and funded by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups serving as the strategic partner, supported by the Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation, the two-day “The Master Classes for Youth — Youth Stands Beyond the Horizon: Tomorrow’s Questions, Today’s Answers” programme brings seven top experts into schools for thematic talks and face-to-face exchanges.

“The Master Classes for Youth” in Hong Kong form part of the three-year Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project, which equips Hong Kong youth with progressive, real-world exposure to innovation and technology through an “industry-school-community” collaboration model. By highlighting the intersection of cutting-edge technologies, traditional Chinese culture, and national development, the programme helps students understand how innovation shapes everyday life and future careers, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub under the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan.

To date, nearly 260 secondary school students have joined the Journey of Exploring the Motherland, 350 primary and secondary school students have taken part in Knowledge Quest, and over 100 teachers have participated in the Teacher Nurturing Scheme. These experiences also connect Hong Kong participants with Chinese Mainland universities, research institutions, high-tech enterprises, and major national projects, deepening their understanding of innovation ecosystems.

Students who joined Knowledge Quest tours shared their enthusiasm for the initiative. Li Lok Chun, a student from Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School noted that artificial intelligence “is no longer a distant concept,” citing examples from smart driving to healthcare. Sky Wan, a student from Holy Trinity College added that technology “reshapes how we understand development pathways,” showing that breakthroughs often emerge from solving real-world problems. Building on these experiences, students will travel to Beijing in July and August to participate in the “In-depth I&T Bootcamps,” where, under expert guidance, they will apply their learning from the “Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project” to develop their own innovation and technology projects.

Through the Teacher Nurturing Scheme, participating teachers also benefited from the programme through the use of meticulously designed teaching toolkits, online professional development training and direct exchanges with Mainland experts. By enhancing their competency and literacy in innovation and technology, the scheme empowers educators to better inspire and nurture the next generation of Hong Kong’s I&T talent.

The main event was held today at the auditorium of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, and officiated by: Shen Beili, Vice Chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Kevin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government; Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups; Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of IoP and Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Professor Herman Hu, Founding President of Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation.

About the Institute of Philanthropy
The Institute of Philanthropy was established in September 2023 through a seed grant of HK$6.8 billion (US$870 million) from The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust. Established as an independent “think-fund-do” tank for China, Asia and beyond, IoP is dedicated to promoting philanthropic thought leadership and enhancing sector capabilities at local, regional and global levels in collaboration with fellow funders. It seeks to provide an Asia-based platform bringing global stakeholders together to promote the betterment of societies everywhere.