Two students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have won Top 10 Outstanding Youth Awards - a prestigious prize presented by HKSAR Home Affairs Bureau and Commission on Youth to commend their outstanding achievements in personal development, leadership and social services.
Samantha Wing-man Kong, a Year-Three student of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and also Head Student Ambassador, was a dual winner who also scooped the Social Service Award in the commendation scheme. Year-One Science student Phoebe Cheuk-lam Lam was the youngest winner in the Open Category of the Award for eight years' participation in community services.
Prof Wei Shyy, Executive Vice-President and Provost at HKUST, congratulated the two winners. "As a university we sought to nurture all-rounded graduates with great capabilities and creativity, and also with great hearts - which are key in building a caring community. I hope these two students' enthusiasm, leadership and caring attitude will inspire others to contribute to building a better future for Hong Kong and Mainland China."
Despite their busy academic schedules, both students found time to take part in a diverse range of activities, including sports, music and community service. Apart from being an accomplished pianist, an active voluntary worker and a young ambassador for the Hong Kong Tourism Commission, Samantha is also the founder of a social enterprise. Using the money she and her fellow classmates won from the Hong Kong Social Enterprise Challenge, they founded Eldpathy last May to promote care and empathy for the elderly. They designed an Elderly Simulation Program, where young people could experience the life of seniors by wearing specially-designed suit that forced them to bend their back and glasses that blurred the vision.
Phoebe, despite being the youngest winner of the "Top 10 Outstanding Youth Award", has a long history of participation in community services. Since Primary Four, she gained a number of service awards from Hong Kong Red Cross, Hong Kong Social Welfare Department and Hong Kong Education Bureau's Community Youth Club. She is also an accomplished pianist, violinist and swimmer.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Anita Lam
Tel: 2358 6313
Email: anitalam@ust.hk
