“Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent”
In order to facilitate people-to-people exchanges and to support the development of sci-tech innovation in the Chinese Mainland and the Hong Kong SAR, the Swire Group launched the “Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent” programme in 2023 with the support of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the Beijing Office of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of the China Association for Science and Technology, and the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Government of Hong Kong SAR of the People’s Republic of China. The programme aims to encourage young people in Hong Kong with excellent academic results and good moral character, and aspirations to engage in sci-tech innovation, to study majors related to science and technology in Chinese Mainland universities.
Applicants should have
- Strong dedication to academic achievement and be eager to develop new knowledge
- Passion and a strong interest in science, technology and innovation
- A sense of purpose and responsibility towards social advancement
Successful candidates will receive
Financial Support
Successful candidates will be provided with a cash grant of HK$40,000 per year for the total period of study to cover tuition fees and living expenses.
Career Guidance
During their undergraduate study, the successful candidates will participate in research and study tours, which will include visiting key scientific research centres in the Chinese Mainland, visiting scientific research institutions and sci-tech innovation enterprises, as well as having the opportunity to engage with renowned scientists, technology entrepreneurs and heads of scientific research institutions. The successful candidates will also participate in summer internships and the programme will provide subsidised internship opportunities in scientific research institutions or sci-tech innovation enterprises.
Chief Scientist
Dr. Ya-Qin Zhang, the Chief Scientist of the programme, will provide guidance for the selected students and organise exchanges between the students with scientists and entrepreneurs. Dr. Zhang is Chair Professor of AI Science at Tsinghua University, and Dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research of Tsinghua University (AIR). He was elected to the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAA&S), and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE). He was also granted the distinction of IEEE Fellow in 1997 at the age of 31, the youngest scientist in history to receive this honour. He is also one of the world’s leading scientists and entrepreneurs in digital video and AI, with over 60 US patents granted and more than 500 academic papers.
Message from the Chief Scientist
I’m delighted to see the Swire Group has launched the “Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent” programme. The world is currently undergoing profound changes unseen in a century: a new round of scientific revolution and industrial revolution is coming, and sci-tech innovations are booming in China. AI is reshaping the social and economic structure while dramatically elevating productivity. Some industries and jobs will disappear. Jobs that involve any kind of repetitive work, mental or physical, will be replaced by machines; machines can outperform humans in any descriptive problem with fixed rules and standard answers. On the other hand, more creative, imaginative and interesting jobs of higher quality will emerge.
For students, that’s a mixed blessing. In a world full of opportunities and uncertainties, I would like to give you some suggestions:
Firstly, you should keep learning to cope with changes. Both data and information are experiencing explosive growth, with the new data produced every year equal to the sum of all the data generated in history. 80% of the static knowledge acquired five years ago is useless now, and what matters is the ability of dynamic learning. In the age of AI, machines are all learning, and humans should be doing so even more.
Secondly, you should maintain your passion, sincerity, edge and sharpness. You should develop your unique views and perspectives – you don’t need to be all things to all people, to conform to tradition, or to be an expert in the ways of the world.
Thirdly, you should put morality and humanity at the core and follow a “people-centric” approach. Technology is neutral, but the inventors of technology have a purpose. Engineering design is just a tool, but engineers are serving the whole of humanity. Therefore, scientific research must adhere to a “people-centric” principle.
The Swire Group has launched the “Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent” programme with the aim of motivating and aspiring young people in Hong Kong to devote themselves to the cause of sci-tech innovation in Hong Kong and the whole country. I also hope that young students in Hong Kong will proactively respond to the call for historical responsibility, stay agile, carry out scientific research that truly serves humanity, and fully leverage your talents in the vast space provided by the country for scientific and technological development.
Dr. Ya-Qin Zhang
Dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research of Tsinghua University (AIR)
How to apply
Young people with excellent academic results and good moral character who have grown up in Hong Kong and aspire to engage in sci-tech innovation are welcome to join the programme. 100 Hong Kong students will be recruited between 2023 to 2025. You qualify if you hold a valid Hong Kong permanent ID card and a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, plus being confirmed admission to a bachelor’s programme in science or engineering issued by a Chinese Mainland university in the year of your application. All applicants should refer to the Guide to Application for the “Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent” (available in Chinese only). Applications are open from 16th June to 30th September every year. Please download the Application Form for the “Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent” (available in Chinese only).
Selection for the programme is both recognition and encouragement of successful candidates’ scientific research potential, so applicants who have been awarded other scholarships can still qualify for the programme. However, applicants should pay attention to the relevant requirements of any other programmes for which they have been granted scholarships. Please note that each eligible applicant can only receive one grant from the Swire Group (i.e., they cannot participate in the programme while also receiving a Swire China Scholarship).
Learn more
Click on the following to learn more about the sci-tech innovation development and the experience of Hong Kong students studying in Mainland universities.
Contact us
Secretariat of the “Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent”
hkytit@swire.com.cn
