A nation will prosper only when its young people thrive. The For Our Future Scholarship, organised by The Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation (the Foundation), has entered its fifth year with enthusiastic support from the community. The Scholarship has consistently recognised university students who excel in academics and community service. This year, the Foundation introduced a new award, the For Our Future Innovation and Technology Scholarship, specially designed for PhD students in STEM fields. This award aligns with Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology hub, as outlined in the nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan.

This year, the Scholarship attracted over 300 applications from talented students across 14 local tertiary institutions.  The esteemed panel of judges for the For Our Future Scholarship included Ms Maisie CHAN, Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; Ms Salome SEE, the Managing Director of Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings and ET Net; Professor Gillian CHOA, Former Director of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; and Mr Daryl NG, Chairman of the Foundation. After evaluation, 16 outstanding undergraduates were selected, with each receiving HKD 50,000.

For the inaugural Innovation and Technology Scholarship, the distinguished panel of judges included Mr Philip HAR, Deputy Commissioner for Innovation & Technology; Professor Timothy TONG, Chairman of the Research Grants Council; and Dr HU Zhanghong, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited. A total of 10 awardees were selected, with each receiving HKD 80,000.

The award ceremony, held on April 1 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, was graced by numerous honourable guests including Miss Alice MAK, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Ms WAN Ning, Deputy Director General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Ms Masie CHAN, Commissioner for the Development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; Mr Philip HAR, Deputy Commissioner for Innovation & Technology; Mr Daryl NG, Chairman of the Foundation; Dr HU Zhanghong, CEO of Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited; Ms Salome SEE, the Managing Director of Hong Kong Economic Times Holdings and ET Net; Professor Gillian CHOA, Former Director of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; Ms Winnie CHIU, Vice Chairman of the Foundation and President of Dorsett Hospitality International, Professor Ricky KWOK, Vice President (Research and Student Development) of Hong Kong Metropolitan University; Professor Dannii YEUNG, Associate Provost (Student Life) of City University of Hong Kong, as well as representatives from various tertiary institutions.