DANCING TWIN SISTERS, a young technologist, a student of law, and a doctor in training were celebrated this week in Hong Kong.
They were among ten outstanding Hong Kong students in Greater Bay Area (GBA) cities who clinched awards last week for academic excellence, distinctive talent, and exceptional commitment, in a range of fields, including innovative technology, community services, and promotion of Chinese culture.
About 18,000 Hong Kong students study in mainland Chinese universities, with more than half the scholars choosing establishments in Guangdong, the province bordering their home city.
The award was organised by the One Country Two Systems Youth Forum and the Support and Development Centre for Hong Kong Students in Mainland China, along with the support from Guangdong Overseas Friendship Association, Clifford Group and others. Since its inception last year, the annual award aims to let Hong Kong students spread positive energy and foster integration between Hong Kong and other cities in the bay area.
In a preliminary round, 30 Hong Kong students from renowned Chinese universities – including Jinan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou University, South China University of Technology, Shenzhen University, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and others, were shortlisted for the award.
In the final round cum award presentation ceremony held in Guangzhou’s Panyu district last week, the top 10 high-achievers were selected by panels. They were studying for a bachelor’s degree, master and doctorate programs in medicine, Chinese medicine, law, computational media, science, journalism and other qualifications.
LAW STUDENT INTERNSHIP IN UN OFFICE
One winner was Fung Tze-pun, who studied a law degree at Guangzhou University and a master’s program in law at East China University of Political Science and Law. He had an invaluable opportunity of working at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva under an internship program.
In March this year, Fung was involved in work against racism and racial discrimination for about six months. He was the first student from Guangzhou University to work as an intern in the UN body.
At the award presentation ceremony, Fung said Hong Kong’s students will have bright career pathway by studying in the GBA under the Belt and Road Initiative and the bay area’s development. While Fung is eager to work as a lawyer in global law firms and international organizations after graduation, he will share the message that the GBA is changing into a world-class bay area that will amaze observers.
Another awardee was Choi Ka-man, who is now studying a master’s program in computational media and arts at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou). She was one of several students from the university to join the contest. Choi earlier graduated from the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong and Central Saint Martins – a globally-renowned art school in London.
Choi said she felt deeply honoured to clinch the award. In her work, she focused on enhancing the physical and mental well-being of stroke patients. She used 3D printing technology to develop wearable training items for patients.
DANCE-LOVING TWIN SISTERS
Lau Wai-chi, who is working towards a PhD in medicine at Jinan University after completing a master’s program at the University of Hong Kong, said he has acquired invaluable clinical practice and experience throughout his studies in the GBA.
As one of the top 10 students, Lau earlier established a group for medical students in the bay area to share medical knowledge and expertise. He has also set up a Xiaohongshu account – which is popular among young people in the Mainland – to share photo and video-heavy content on medical research and information.
Lau said he had gained wide exposure on the operation of the medical sector in the real world during his internships in pharmaceutical enterprises and hospitals. Credit should go to mainland university professors who encourage students to attend academic forums so they can enrich their medical knowledge. The experience is truly inspirational, Lau said.
A pair of twin sisters came into the spotlight at the ceremony. Chan Ka-yee and her sister Ka-foon have loved arts and dancing from childhood. Both studied a master’s program in journalism at Jinan University.
Awardee Ka-yee served as a dance troupe leader at the university, and she also obtained qualifications to teach primary and secondary students Chinese dancing and choreography. She participated widely in volunteer services in organising arts activities.
Ka-foon, who previously won a silver award in a folk dance contest at the university, was celebrated for her work in recognition of students’ achievements in promotion of Chinese culture and arts.
This year, organisers received submissions from students from 14 universities in the GBA to join the top 10 Hong Kong students’ award contest.
Organisers also initiated awards in five categories in recognition of students’ achievements and contribution on the promotion of Chinese culture, community services, innovative technology and entrepreneurship, medical and academic excellence. The award contests were held in Panyu and Nansha in Guangzhou as well as Shunde in Foshan.
Making an address at the ceremony, Zhu Jiang, a senior executive member at Guangdong Overseas Friendship Association, said the GBA was evolving to become a world-class city cluster and the bay area will be developed with a high degree of openness and robust economic vitality in China in near future.
Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin said that she hopes Hong Kong students can nourish themselves with knowledge and skillsets, and they can adapt to the multi-cultural environment in the bay area to pursue their own dreams.
Henry Ho Kin-chung, Founder and Chairman of One Country Two Systems Youth Forum, said Hong Kong was an East-meets-West center for global cultural exchange.
Ho, who is also a member of Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Expert Group, believes Hong Kong students, who have been conversant in English and Putonghua in addition to Cantonese, and proficient in Chinese and English, will be dedicated to sharing wonderous Chinese culture and arts to the rest of the world.
Meng Lihong, a member of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and vice chairwoman of Clifford Group, weighed in, saying that she is confident that Hong Kong students who have joined the contest will become high-achievers to pursue their aspirations and dreams in the new era.
Above all, all Hong Kong students who have been shortlisted in the contest will serve as student ambassadors to promote the GBA’s development.
The One Country Two Systems Youth Forum set up the first Support and Development Centre for Hong Kong Students in the Mainland in 2019. The Centre has served Hong Kong students and graduates in the Mainland, and supported local students who are passionate about studying and pursuing their career development in Mainland China.
All images are from One Country Two Systems Youth Forum