“We are pleased to support this with the launch of our Student of the Year support network where aspiring young leaders can benefit from the vast experience of our alumni members. We want to champion the contributions youths make in service of others, and hope students of Hong Kong can serve the city in new and inspiring ways,” Liu said.

Under a “Together we grow and achieve” theme this year, the accolades hope to emphasise that support is always available even during turbulent times.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club, a staunch supporter and sponsor of the Student of the Year Awards, considers it to be a unique competition that recognises not only academic, sporting and creative achievement but students who have shown care and compassion for others by serving their community.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, a board member of the awards and CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the organisation hoped to nurture all-round talent by backing the drive.

“The club wants to encourage young people to develop themselves in every respect – mind, body and heart, because the young people of today will be the leaders of tomorrow, and right now, we need compassionate leadership more than ever,” he said.

Engelbrecht-Bresges noted his experiences had taught him that team spirit was more important than individual achievements.

“I have learned in my career, personal success is meaningless unless you can share your experience with others and show them how they too can succeed. So I hope everyone taking part – winners and candidates – will become both coach and cheerleader, encouraging everyone with their positivity. I especially hope they will seize the opportunity to learn from past winners,” he said, adding that Hong Kong was going through a tough time and it was easy to feel discouraged.

“I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking. If you don’t have a positive attitude you will never succeed. So I would encourage everyone to take inspiration from Hong Kong’s famous ‘can-do’ spirit. Work hard at your studies, support your family and community, and above all never give up.”

Over the past year, online learning has become dominant under the pandemic after face-to-face classes were suspended for nearly three months.

Engelbrecht-Bresges said the award was a fantastic example that showed the city’s can-do spirit in action.

“It’s also very inspiring for students. To see what fellow students have achieved despite all the challenges of school closure, and recently the impact of the fifth wave, it just shows what can be achieved.”

Shortlisted students, winners and alumni will be brought together to form a powerful community by sharing sessions, networking events and a mentorship programme, with an aim to create a strong sense of belonging for the winners of the award.

To improve students’ English proficiency and critical thinking ability across all age groups, both the club and the Post will for the first time co-donate 240,000 e-copies of Young Post to more than 24,000 students and educators who take part in SOTY 2021/22.

There will also be webinars to train educators on how to utilise Young Post as teaching material.

“Young Post has long been used as an aid to teach English in Hong Kong schools, so the club is very pleased to support this initiative, which I am sure will be very well received by teachers and students,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Nominations can be fielded via school, non-school and self-recommendation channels with school endorsements before April 30.

Winners and runners-up will receive scholarships between HK$2,000 and HK$25,000. Last year’s grand prize went to 17-year-old high school pupil Dylan Fischer from German Swiss International School, who spearheaded an initiative to donate hundreds of 3D-printed face shields to hospitals overseas when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.