Organised by The Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (the Foundation), the ‘For Our Future Scholarship’ has reached its sixth edition with enthusiastic support from across the community. This year, in addition to awarding scholarships to undergraduates with academic excellence and a passion for community service, the Foundation continued the ‘For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship’ for a second year. Dedicated to PhD students in STEM disciplines, this award aims to encourage more local youth to pursue careers in the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, further aligning with the national ‘15th Five-Year Plan’ to establish Hong Kong as an international I&T hub.

This year’s response was overwhelming, with nearly 280 applications from 14 local tertiary institutions across both scholarship categories. The esteemed judging panel for the ‘For Our Future Scholarship’ included Miss Pamela LAM, Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mr Stanley CHOI, Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, and Mr Daryl NG, Chairman of the Foundation. Following a rigorous selection process, 15 outstanding undergraduates were awarded a scholarship of HKD 50,000 each.

The judging panel for the ‘For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship’ included Mr Ivan LEE, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Mr Terry WONG, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation; and Mr YIN Cong, Managing Director of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited. A total of 10 PhD students were awarded, each receiving HKD 80,000.

The award ceremony, held on 28 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, was graced by numerous honourable guests including Miss Alice MAK, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr Ivan LEE, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, Miss Pamela LAM, Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mr CUI Feng, Second-level Inspector of the Department of Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, Mr Daryl NG, Chairman of the Foundation, Mr Kenneth FOK, Deputy to the National People's Congress and Executive Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Mr Terry WONG, CEO of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, Mr Stanley CHOI, Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education, Mr YIN Cong, Managing Director of the Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited, Ms Winnie CHIU, Mr Albert CHUANG and Ms Sharon HUANG, Vice Chairs of the Foundation, alongside representatives from various tertiary institutions. Together, they witnessed the proud moments of the outstanding students receiving their awards. 

In his welcoming remarks, Mr Daryl NG, Chairman of the Foundation, said, ‘The recent National ‘Two Sessions’ unveiled the framework for the National ‘15th Five-Year Plan’, which not only sets out a visionary blueprint for the country's future development, but also defines a new strategic role for Hong Kong. As the HKSAR Government’s Five-Year Plan is set to launch, I encourage you, as Hong Kong’s future elite, to take the initiative and harness your distinctive strengths to contribute to the continued progress of both Hong Kong and the nation.’

Mr Kenneth FOK, Executive Vice Chairman of the Foundation, delivered a keynote address on the ‘15th Five-Year Plan’. He noted that, ‘National security forms the foundation of social stability and long-term development; sustained economic prosperity can only be achieved within a safe and orderly environment. Our nation has maintained a steady average annual growth rate of 5.4 per cent, stands at the forefront of global scientific research and development, and pursues strategic planning with rigour, realism and foresight. Of my particular concern is the transformation of our sports sector. We have deliberately moved beyond an emphasis on Olympic medals towards a comprehensive vision of becoming a true sporting nation—one that places public health, mass participation and lifelong fitness at its core. By strengthening community involvement and revitalising the 'major event economy' through marathons and emerging disciplines, we are reshaping sport into both a dynamic industry and an integral part of everyday life. I encourage our younger generation to take pride in the resilience of our nation, to engage actively with its future development, and to work together in contributing to our shared progress and long-term success.’

The 25 awardees each possess inspiring stories of academic breakthrough and social commitment. During the ceremony, Zara CHUI, a second-year PhD student in Medicine at The University of Hong Kong and recipient of the For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship and Andie Wong, a fourth-year student in Nursing at Hong Kong Metropolitan University and recipient of the For Our Future Scholarship, shared their journeys and expressed their gratitude to the Foundation on behalf of all awardees.

Zara CHUI: Revolutionising Fatty Liver Diagnosis with AI, aiming to help save one-third of the global population

Zara has harboured a deep interest in biomedicine since childhood. From her undergraduate years to her current doctoral studies, she has remained dedicated to research. Rather than clinical practice, she finds herself more passionate about working behind the scenes. ‘A doctor saves individual patients, but developing significant research breakthroughs has the potential to help millions.’ she said.

Under the mentorship of Professor XU Aimin, Chair of Metabolic Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, Zara is researching Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), a condition affecting one-third of the global population. In Hong Kong, one in every three people suffers from fatty liver, which can lead to liver failure or cancer if left untreated. She is leading a team to develop an AI-assisted diagnostic system to analyse liver biopsies from Chinese patients and correlate the findings with blood biomarkers. The goal is to replace invasive liver biopsies with a simple blood test. The team aims to collect 1,000 patient samples from the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. With approximately 700 samples collected and more than ten potential biomarkers identified, she hopes for clinical application within five to ten years.

Scientific research is a long and arduous journey. On one occasion, after working in the lab for 12 hours, Zara received an urgent call from her mother urging her to come home, only then realising that a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal was in effect. To ensure data continuity, she resolutely stayed overnight in the lab and rested only briefly at her desk. After months of relentless hard work, her research was finally validated in animal trials. As the first light of dawn broke after a long night, her team erupted in cheers—a moment that made every sacrifice worthwhile.

While Zara could have followed in the footsteps of her peers by switching to clinical medicine—a path often seen as a ‘golden rice bowl’—she chose to stay the course in research. Although her family initially worried about the career prospects of a scientist, they ultimately gave her their full blessings and support. Zara does not come from a medical family. She jokes that her brother failed biology. Her father, a computer programmer, may not understand bioscience, but he provides technical support for her research, offering advice on preventing system crashes when analysing data. During an exchange programme at the University of Cambridge, she met her husband, a researcher from Xi'an, owing to safety regulation that required a companion for lab work after 7 p.m. Since then, they have walked the scientific path side by side. This strong family support has become the bedrock of her unwavering determination.

Andie WONG: From First Aid Cadet to Emergency Room Nurse

Inspired by a television drama, Andie WONG dreamed of becoming a frontline nurse since childhood. He joined the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Secondary 1 and obtained his first-aid certificate at the age of 14. As Andie began his internship, he found his stride amidst the demanding workload and high-pressure hospital environment, further solidifying his resolve to become a public hospital nurse. ‘I want to safeguard patients and help them through the small details every day.’ he said.

The road to pursuing his dream was not without obstacles. Owing to an error in his initial JUPAS course selection, Andie was assigned to an engineering programme. He chose to retake his exams and was eventually admitted to the Nursing programme at Hong Kong Metropolitan University. However, a year of intensive, secluded study combined with immense psychological pressure led to social withdrawal and a fear of communication. Seeking professional help from a clinical psychologist, he learned to embrace positive thinking. Today, he has regained his confidence and proactive spirit.

During his internship, Andie witnessed the unpredictability of life: a patient chatting and laughing one day might pass away the next. Consequently, he always goes the extra mile beyond what the textbooks teach—proactively comforting anxious patients, explaining their conditions, or simply offering a cup of warm water. To prevent pressure sores, he meticulously smooths out bedsheet wrinkles and pays close attention to the positioning of diapers—details often overlooked yet earning him high praise from management. ‘Details make all the difference. Patients can tell whether you are just doing the job, or doing the job well,’ Andie said. He firmly believes that true nursing is not found in textbooks, but in the willingness to provide extra care and love.

During his university years, Andie travelled to Japan, Singapore, and Dongguan to study medical technology, seeking ways to better help his patients. He aspires to become an A&E (Emergency Room) nurse upon graduation, providing the calmest and most meticulous care in the most chaotic and high-stakes environments. His ultimate dream is to become a flight nurse, delivering life-saving care on the front lines of disasters and other high-pressure situations with agility and composure.

The complete list of awardees for this year's For Our Future Scholarship includes: Joy CAI from Hong Kong Shue Yan University; DALAL Ismatbanu Junedbhai from Hong Kong Baptist University; Brenda KWOK from The Education University of Hong Kong; Osman LAM from The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong; Jasmine LAW from The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Marco LEE from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; John LO from The University of Hong Kong; Athena MAN from The Education University of Hong Kong; Wing SO from Hong Kong Metropolitan University; Andie WONG from Hong Kong Metropolitan University; Andrew WONG from The University of Hong Kong; Emily WONG from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Chloe XU from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; YUEN Hei Kan from Hong Kong Baptist University; Chris ZHOU from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The complete list of awardees for For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship includes: Billy CHEUNG from The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Jerry CHING from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Zara CHUI from The University of Hong Kong; HO Cheuk Kin from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Kenny HUI from City University of Hong Kong; Leo LEUNG from Hong Kong Baptist University; NIDHI Mahejabeen Hossain from City University of Hong Kong; Winnie O from Hong Kong Metropolitan University; Taylor Tsang from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Harry TSUI from The University of Hong Kong.