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The visiting professorship scheme, first launched by the Fund in 1995-96, aims to promote cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the other parts of the world. This year, two eminent scholars, namely Prof Alan Baker of the Department of Mathematics, University of Cambridge and Prof Robert J Sternberg of the Department of Applied Social Studies, Yale University, have been selected for the award. They will visit Hong Kong sometime in April and May 1997 to conduct seminars and deliver public lectures.
Competition for the overseas fellowships and scholarships for 1997-98 was keen. 12 students from 221 applicants have won the awards. They will each receive a maximum of $228,000 and $210,000 a year for a fellowship award and a scholarship award respectively. They are required to return to work in Hong Kong for at least three years after completion of their studies.
An overseas award exclusively for disabled students was introduced in 1994. The 1997-98 scholarship recipient is a visually impaired student who plans to study Psychology at Rice University in USA.
Four students who obtained outstanding results in the 1996 public examinations have been awarded the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Medals.
A total of $356,429 has been expended on the Award Scheme for the Disabled Students, under which 17 students have been provided with financial assistance for the purchase of study aids.
This year, 35 postgraduate students have been awarded the local fellowship at $38,000 each and 89 undergraduate/diploma students have been awarded the local scholarship at $22,000 each. In addition, 6 postgraduate students have had their local fellowships renewed.
The variety show, which came after the presentation ceremony, featured performances by several Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund music scholars, students of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Kam Sze Leung's Band and local performing stars Cass Pang, George Lam and Albert Au.
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