Jockey Club celebrates new and graduating Jockey Club Scholars and awards fellowships to the first cohort of JC STEM Early Career Research Fellows

The Hong Kong Jockey Club today (17 March) held its Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner. In addition to awarding scholarships to 116 students in recognition of their outstanding academic performance and commitment to serving the community, the very first JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application was awarded to 10 outstanding STEM researchers. The Club also congratulated 40 graduating JC Scholars as they embarked on a new chapter in their lives.

Pictured with JC Scholars and JC STEM Early Career Research Fellows are Club Chairman Michael Lee (front row, centre); keynote speaker Tsinghua University Chair Professor of AI Science and Dean of Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) Zhang Yaqian (front row, 8th left); members of the Club’s Board of Stewards; Club management members and representatives of participating tertiary institutions.

Club Chairman Michael Lee was joined by keynote speaker Tsinghua University Chair Professor of AI Science and Dean of Institute for AI Industry Research (AIR) Zhang Ya-qin;Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao; Club Stewards Dr Silas Yang, Lester Huang, Dr Henry Chan, Jackson Woo, Ann Kung and Philip Lo; Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; and representatives of participating tertiary institutions, who attended the dinner to witness and share the joy of the awardees.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (6th right); Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao (5th rigth); Club Stewards Dr Silas Yang (5th left), Lester Huang (4th right), Dr Henry Chan (4th left), Jackson Woo (3rd right), Ann Kung (3rd left) and Philip Lo (2nd right); Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (6th left); Club Executive Director, Racing, Andrew Harding (2nd left); Club Executive Director, Charities and Community, Dr Gabriel Leung (1st right); and Club Executive Director, Legal and Compliance, James Bidlake (1st left), who attended the dinner to witness and share the joy of the awardees.

Club Chairman Michael Lee said that The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships have grown in scope and scale over the past 20-plus years. In addition to supporting Hong Kong undergraduates, they have extended to students pursuing vocational education, to gifted young minds from the Mainland and around the world, and to students who have excelled while overcoming adversities and challenges. He highlighted the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application, launched by the Club’s Charities Trust in 2024 to help STEM researchers translate scientific findings into practical industry applications. Given the rapid pace of technological change, especially AI, he urged JC Scholars and JC STEM Fellows to harness its power for the benefit of all members of society, driving positive change for future generations.

Club Chairman Michael Lee delivers a speech at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner.

Congratulating the awardees, this year’s keynote speaker Professor Zhang Ya-qin noted that AI is the most transformative force of our time. The era of AI calls for a new generation of leaders with new skills and vision. He sincerely appreciated the Club’s unwavering support for students and for research initiatives. This is a defining moment for students to rise, shine, and answer the historic call of duty—not only through their talent, creativity and innovation, but also with compassion, courage and humanity.

Keynote speaker Professor Zhang Ya-qin congratulates awardees at The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner.

The Club has long been committed to supporting education and talent development in Hong Kong. Established in 1998, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships are dedicated to nurturing caring leaders for a better society. Over the years, they have expanded to provide diversified talent development pathways. To date, HK$891 million1has been disbursed, with more than 1,100 outstanding students receiving scholarships. Further details can be found on The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships website: https://jcscholarships.hk/en.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (front row, centre) with recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman’s Scholarship.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (front row, centre) with recipients of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman’s Scholarship.

James Li, one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship awardees, is studying Engineering at The University of Hong Kong. Diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy in childhood, and relying on a wheelchair for mobility, James has not given in to the challenges he faces. Instead, he strives to apply his knowledge to create products that enhance the lives of people with disabilities. He has greatly benefited from the support provided by his scholarship. He is especially focused on using technology to create a more inclusive world in the future.

Club Deputy Chairman Martin Liao (front row, centre) with The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship awardees.

To meet the needs of the 21st century, to promote industrial innovation development in Hong Kong and to support its development as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub as outlined in the National 14th Five-Year Plan, the Club established the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application in 2024 with the support of a donation from its Charities Trust. The fellowship aims to nurture STEM researchers by providing comprehensive support and unique opportunities for them to develop their research and innovation career, to expand their professional networks, and to create social impact. Further details can be found on the JC STEM Fellowship website: https://www.jcstem.hk/en .

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, 5th left) with graduating JC Scholars.

Dr Hu Delin is one of this year’s recipients of the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship. His research focuses on AI-assisted optimal design, perception and control of miniature magnetic robots, with the aim of enhancing the precision and automation of minimally invasive interventions using innovative AI tools. He says the fellowship has provided him with greater freedom in his research, which was one of the key factors attracting him to Hong Kong.

Club Chairman Michael Lee (centre) with JC Scholars Jenna Choi (2nd right), James Li (2nd left) and Horace Pong (1st left); and JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Hu Delin (1st right).

As a not-for-profit sports and charity organisation rooted in Hong Kong for 140 years, the Club’s partnership with the community has thrived thanks to a unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong. The Club – under the banner “With You. Then. Now. Always.” – has organised a series of celebratory initiatives to mark this milestone and recognise Hong Kong people’s contribution to its mission to act continuously for the betterment of society. For more information, please visit https://campaign.hkjc.com/140/en/.

Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (front row, 2nd right) with JC Scholars Jenna Choi (front row, 1st right), James Li (front row, centre) and Horace Pong (front row, 2nd left); JC STEM Early Career Research Fellow Dr Hu Delin (front row, 1st left); and representatives of The Jockey Club Scholars Alumni Association.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) officially opened today (21 January) in Tai Po. Supported by a donation of HK$130 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the new centre serves as a key base for environmental conservation, sustainable living and nature education programmes, strengthening KFBG’s role as a regional hub for Hong Kong’s biodiversity conservation.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre will strengthen KFBG’s role as a regional hub for nature conservation.

Officiating at the opening ceremony today were Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Andrew McAulay, Chairperson of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden; and The Hon Sir Michael Kadoorie.

Officiating at the opening ceremony of the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre were Chan Kwok-ki, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); Andrew McAulay, Chairperson of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (1st right); and The Hon Sir Michael Kadoorie (1st left).

Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, remarked that Sustainability is one of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s nine impact programmes.  The Trust’s support for the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre reflects its strong commitment to advancing sustainability and building a liveable Hong Kong.

Club Deputy Chairman Lester Huang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre replaces the existing conservation building constructed in the 1960s, enhancing KFBG’s capacity for conservation education. The new five-storey building is equipped with multi-purpose rooms and roof gardens for public education. These will support exhibitions, experiential programmes and guided tours to foster appreciation of the environment, alongside workshops and international knowledge sharing. The centre is expected to receive more than 42,000 visitors a year.

Guests tour the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre.

The centre incorporates multiple energy-saving and eco-friendly features, including natural daylighting, integrated low-e glass and a solar heating system. It has achieved a Provisional Gold rating under the BEAM Plus New Buildings standard. The centre’s design blends with the natural landscape, featuring a terraced profile that complements the surrounding hillside. Nature-friendly elements include bird-safe glass and artificial nest boxes to support local wildlife.

Guests tour the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre.

The Club’s support for the Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre, like all its charity and community donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong.

The Jockey Club Nature Conservation Centre will strengthen KFBG’s role as a regional hub for nature conservation.