Hong Kong witnessed an extraordinary achievement this week when three students won first prize at the 21st Century Cup National English Speaking Competition National Grand Final via video link competition against some of China’s finest English-speakers despite quarantine restrictions preventing their travel to Chengdu on mainland China. Charmaine Wu Sum-ching from Diocesan Girls’ School, Christina Wong Man-yan from St Paul’s Coeducational College and Charmaine Chan Shun-ying from Lam Tai Fai College competed against their counterparts from China via video link competition against top English speakers from across mainland China via video link competition against some of China’s finest.
Winners of the top three prizes will each receive an additional award from their schools of HK$1 million; runners-up receive HK$500,000, making a grand prize total of HK$9 million. It was organized and sponsored by the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Prize winners will be honored at an awards ceremony to receive their awards in January of next year, as well as receiving a Hong Kong medal, certificate of achievement and trophy. First and second place will receive cash prizes of HK$5 Million each while third and fourth places will get HK$2.5 Million and HK$1.5 Million respectively.
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKU) has produced numerous renowned researchers and scientists who have won Nobel Prizes over time, such as Professor Tsui Hark-ching in 1998, Prof Sheung Tat Fan in 2000 and Dr Chun Yu Benjamin Wong in 2014. Their success has contributed significantly to HKU’s research environment while inspiring local scholars to strive towards excellence.
In 2022, with support from BOC Hong Kong Limited, the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize was established. This prize recognizes individuals or teams that have made significant contributions in scientific research with potential to impact R&D achievements across communities or wider societies. Each field awards no more than five individuals/teams annually.
The BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize Board is responsible for interpreting and suggesting key research fields for THE PRIZE; setting criteria and requirements for nominating experts; appointing members of both Review Committee and Compliance Oversight Team; creating a nomination and selection process and verifying and approving final review results – it serves as the highest decision-making body within THE PRIZE.