Bright youngsters are uninspired
Local university students are far from inspired by their studies, according to the two winners of the newly-established R C Lee Centenary Scholarship.
Wong Kwai-ling, a Chinese University of Hong Kong graduate, who is pursuing doctoral studies at Vanderbilt University in the US, considered herself lucky to have developed an interest in research.
'There is lacking a strong science environment here,' she said. 'Undergraduates have few chances for doing research and few end up having an interest in it or think of pursuing an academic career. I was lucky to have been able to do some research during my studies.'
Ms Wong, who wants to be a psychology or neuroscience professor, will have at least the first two years of her doctorial studies paid for by the scholarship, offered by the Drs Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Charitable Foundation to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth in Hong Kong of businessman and philanthropist Richard Charles Lee.
Dr Deanna Lee Rudgard, chairwoman of the selection committee, said the scholarship was aimed at broadening young people's minds.
'A lot of very bright students just leave university and then take a job. Their path is very narrow,' she said. 'If you look at the people in senior jobs in Hong Kong and the world, the jobs they are doing are not what they studied. We want people to learn how to shape themselves and be leaders of the future.'
It is expected that two scholarships will be awarded each year.
The other winner, Yip Mei-ki, from the University of Hong Kong, will study for a master's degree in transport and business management at Imperial College London. She said she was inspired to study further when she was on an exchange visit in the US.
'Many students in Hong Kong just want to finish their degree and get a job. But in the States, I heard many talk about getting advanced studies,' she said.
Dr Lee Rudgard called for humanities or social science graduates to also apply for the scholarship in future. 'They will benefit the community as much as lawyers, scientists, doctors and engineers,' she said.
