XN000022-1978-01-20 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1978

SCHOLARSHIPS PROPOSED FOR WORKERS IN FISHING AND FARMING INDUSTRIES

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YOUNG PEOPLE CONNECTED WITH THE AGRICULTURAL AND FISHING INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG MAY SOON BE ABLE TO FURTHER THE IR EDUCATION THROUGH THE PROPOSED TWO NEW SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

THE PROPOSALS FOR THE TWO FUNDS ARE CONTAINED IN THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL AND THE MARINE FISH (MARKETING) (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED

INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEEK BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. EDWARD NICHOLS.

THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND THE MARINE FISH SCHOLARSHIP FUND HAVE A COMBINED CAPITAL OF $2 MILLION AND WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES AS TRUSTEE OF THE FUNDS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES WOULD BE COMPLEMENTARY TO THE PRESENT EDUCATION SYSTEM.

+THE FUNDS ARE DESIGNED TO ENABLE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE CONNECTED WITH THE AGRICULTURAL AND FISHING INDUSTRIES (EITHER BY DIRECT EMPLOYMENT OR THROUGH THEIR PARENTS) TO FURTHER THEIR CAREERS WITHIN THESE INDUSTRIES. YOUNG PEOPLE ALSO INTERESTED IN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN THESE INDUSTRIES MAY ALSO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS, SAID THE SPOKESMAN.

THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE USED FOR LOCAL TERTIARY OR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION BY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS.

EACH OF THE FUNDS WILL BE FINANCED BY $1 MILLION FROM RESERVES FROM THE VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION. THE TWO BILLS ALSO ALLOW THE FUNDS TO BE BOOSTED BY BEQUESTS, SUBSCRIPTICAS OR DONATIONS ACCEPTED BY THE TRUSTEE FOR THIS PURPOSE.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT EACH SCHOLARSHIP FUND WOULD ALSO HAVE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF THE TRUSTEE, THREE CTHER MEMBERS OF THE MARKETING ADVISORY CARD (OR THE FISH MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD) AND TWO GOVERNMENT OFFICERS AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.