Scholarship students will have to return home

People awarded a new government scholarship to study at top universities overseas will have to sign a contract agreeing to return and contribute to Hong Kong society after they graduate, the committee in charge of the scheme says.

And students have been reassured that their political activities and views will not affect their chances of being granted one of the scholarships.

The overseas study scheme was announced in Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's policy address in January. Some HK$350 million will be spent over three years, starting next year.

"The scholarship aims to provide more opportunities for young people to move upwards," said businessman Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king, chairman of the scholarship steering committee.

Successful applicants will receive up to HK$250,000 per year towards their tuition fees for the duration of their undergraduate or postgraduate course, while an additional means-tested bursary will provide up to HK$200,000 per year to cover living expenses for poorer students.

The steering committee will base its decision, in part, on how the university that the student has been accepted by rates in a number of world rankings, including those published by Britain's Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education; US News and World Report, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Other factors will include the applicant's academic performance and non-academic achievements, statements they must write expressing commitment to Hong Kong and an interview with committee members. The committee will also analyse how unique or beneficial to the city the courses the students are taking will be.