The Hong Kong Jockey Club held its Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner on 17 March.  On top of awarding scholarships to 116 students in recognition of their outstanding academic performance and commitment to serving the community, the very first JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application was awarded to 10 outstanding STEM researchers.  The Club also congratulated 40 graduating JC Scholars as they embarked on a new chapter in their lives.

Club Chairman Michael Lee was joined by keynote speaker Dr Zhang Ya-Qin; Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao; Club Stewards Lester Huang, Dr Henry Chan, Jackson Woo, Ann Kung and Philip Lo; Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; Club Executive Director, Charities and Community Dr Gabriel Leung; and representatives of participating tertiary institutions, who attended the dinner to witness and share the joy of the awardees.

Club Chairman Michael Lee

Club Chairman Michael Lee said that The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships have grown in scope and scale over the past 20-plus years.  In addition to supporting Hong Kong undergraduates, they have extended to students pursuing vocational education, to gifted young minds from the Mainland and around the world, and to students who have excelled while overcoming adversities and challenges.  He highlighted the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application, launched by the Club's Charities Trust in 2024 to help STEM researchers translate scientific findings into practical industry applications.  Given the rapid pace of technological change, especially AI, he urged JC Scholars and JC STEM Fellows to harness its power for the benefit of all members of society, driving positive change for future generations.

Keynote speaker Tsinghua University Chair Professor of AI Science and Dean of Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) Professor Zhang Ya-Qin

Congratulating the awardees, this year's keynote speaker Professor Zhang Ya-Qin noted that AI is the most transformative force of our time. The era of AI calls for a new generation of leaders with new skills and vision. He sincerely appreciated the Club's unwavering support for students and for research initiatives.  This is a defining moment for students to rise, shine, and answer the historic call of duty—not only through their talent, creativity and innovation, but also with compassion, courage and humanity.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (front row, centre) with recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman's Scholarship

Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao (front row, centre) with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship awardees

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, fifth left) with graduating JC Scholars

The Club has long been committed to supporting education and talent development in Hong Kong.  Established in 1998, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships are dedicated to nurturing caring leaders for a better society. Over the years, they have expanded to provide diversified talent development pathways.  To date, HK$891 million ^Note has been disbursed, with more than 1,100 outstanding students receiving scholarships.

To meet the needs of the 21st century, to promote industrial innovation development in Hong Kong and to support its development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Club established the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application in 2024 with the support of a donation from its Charities Trust.  The fellowship aims to nurture STEM researchers by providing comprehensive support and unique opportunities for them to develop their research and innovation career, to expand their professional networks, and to create social impact.  Further details can be found on the JC STEM Fellowship website: https://www.jcstem.hk/en.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (centre) with JC Scholars Jenna Choi (second right), James Li (second left) and Horace Pong (first left); and JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Hu Delin (first right)

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, second right) with new JC Scholars, JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow and representatives of The Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association

Note: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has approved HK$855 million and the Institute of Philanthropy has approved HK$36 million.