HK Prize Winners – Courage and Conviction in the Face of Great Adversity

In a world awash in fake news and misinformation, it’s more important than ever to seek out real-life inspiration. In this issue, we share some of the stories of hk prize winners whose courage and conviction have helped them achieve success in the face of great adversity.

The in-depth profiles of the 20 finalists showcase Hong Kong’s diversity of talent. From a lawyer to an athlete, from a designer to a journalist, these aspiring young leaders are all achieving excellence in their respective fields. Their contributions and achievements are not only helping to build a better future for Hong Kong, but also serving as a beacon of hope to people around the globe who are fighting against oppressive regimes.

BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize (HKAI) is a merit-based award sponsored by The Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited. The award was launched in 2005 and is designed to recognise scientific research and innovation by scientists from institutions set up by Hong Kong higher education institutions and located in the Greater Bay Area. It aims to reward outstanding scientists, researchers and teams for their significant achievements in scientific and technological innovation and transformation as well as their impact on society.

Backed by a team of dedicated professionals, HKAI has strict operating standards and conducts a comprehensive review process. The Review Committee and Compliance Oversight Team are responsible for suggesting key scientific research fields for the awards, evaluating applicants, and establishing criteria for nominations. The Organising Committee is responsible for drafting the rules of each award category, inviting entries, conducting a preliminary evaluation and the final adjudication, and organising the ceremony.

HKAI is not only a platform for honouring outstanding individuals, it also serves to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators. To that end, the organisers have introduced the Student Prize, a competition where students can submit their artwork online before the submission deadline and receive public votes. The winner will be awarded a Judges Prize of HK$8,000 and a HK$10,000 grant for his/her school.

Amid a crackdown on democracy activists by Beijing, US lawmakers have nominated a group of Hong Kong-based campaigners for the Nobel Peace Prize. The nine lawmakers across party lines wrote in a letter to the Nobel Committee that the pro-democracy activists are a source of global inspiration and urged them to consider giving them the imprimatur that would give their struggle more international weight. The activists have pushed Beijing to honor its international and domestic commitments. Among them are Joshua Wong, 24, one of the movement’s most prominent figures who is facing subversion charges in a case that has alarmed many in the city and abroad. They have also called on the US to support Hong Kong’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games. Despite the current political uncertainty, they remain determined to push for freedom and democracy in their home city. They face an uphill battle against an authoritarian government that has imposed a National Security Law that they say undermines the rule of law and human rights in the territory.