The South China Morning Post and Hongkong Telecom's joint effort to advance scholarship and career training among local young professionals continued this week as 38 winners of the sixth Careers Post/Hong Kong Telecom Scholarships collected $800,000 for study in area institutions.
Since 1992, grants of $3.5 million have helped nearly 250 young employed professionals acquire new skills and knowledge needed to realise their career goals. This year's 38 winners were chosen from among 400 applicants.
South China Morning Post deputy chief executive Owen Jonathan welcomed guests to the event at Telecom Tower in Quarry Bay and applauded the winners for jumping at the chance to better themselves.
'We wish you success and prosperity in the years ahead and trust that the chance of study offered to you today will help you achieve your career ambitions and, in doing so, provide this great city with the kind of people it needs to move ahead with confidence and pride as a leader in the region.' After his speech, Mr Jonathan said Hong Kong's strength had always been its people. The SAR's increased educational opportunities and the willingness of the present generation to jump at scholarships, like the Post/HK Telecom scheme, would only improve Hong Kong's most valuable asset.
Telecom's director of corporate affairs, Louis Loong, praised the winners for their inner drive.
'It is heartening to see these young men and women motivated to take on such extra studies covering such a wide range of topics,' he said.