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"They have had the responsibility of bringing up these young people to be responsible individuals and of helping them to achieve academic excellence; they have also encouraged them to develop an interest in community affairs and to have a clear vision of their goals and a firm commitment to Hong Kong." she said.

Chairman of the Council, Mr Ronald Arculli, also officiated at the Ceremony held in Sha Tin Town Hall.

the

In pursuing its objective to encourage and promote education and learning of young people of Hong Kong, the Fund has disbursed a total of $11.3 million in the 1995-96 academic year.

Awards made include 14 awards for overseas studies; 3 medals for students who have obtained outstanding results in public examinations; 22 awards for disabled students; 82 scholarships for diploma and undergraduate students; 44 fellowships for post-graduate students and 682 prizes for senior secondary school students.

Exclusive sponsorship in the amount of $600,000 towards the Young Friends of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Scheme has continued in 1995-96 with the aim to increase secondary school students' exposure to and knowledge of the performing arts.

For the first time, the Fund launched the visiting professorship scheme which aimed to promote cultural exchange between Hong Kong and the other parts of the world.

Competition for the overseas fellowships and scholarships for 1996-97 is extremely keen. 12 brilliant students from among 297 applicants have won the

awards.

They will each receive a maximum of $218,000 and $200,000 a year for a fellowship award and a scholarship award respectively. These students will have to return to work in Hong Kong for at least three years after completion of their studies.

The four award recipients for the Overseas Fellowships 1996-97 are:

(1) Miss Bernice Jocelyn Chen, 23, currently an Architectural Assistant and plans to pursue a Master of Architecture at Columbia University, USA.

(2) Mr Fung Kwok-tung, 22, currently a primary school teacher and plans to pursue a Master of Music in oboe performance at the University of Cincinnati, USA.