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 TWGHs “iRun” – The Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026 (iRun) took place today (11 January) along the Central and Western District Promenade and Lung Wo Road. This year, the event, supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, saw a record turnout of over 5,500 runners of varying abilities and their pair-up partners joined the fun while promoting social inclusion.

Over 5,500 runners, including participants of varying abilities and their pair-up partners, participated in iRun 2026 to promote social inclusion within the community.

Among the officiating guests cheering on the runners were HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun, Club Steward Philip Lo and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng.

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (3rd left), Club Steward Philip Lo (3rd right) and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 1st Vice-Chairman York Tseng (2nd left) officiate at the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Club Steward Philip Lo (centre) receives a souvenir from HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (left), accompanied by Tung Wah Group of Hospitals the 4th Vice-Chairman cum Chairman of Community Services Committee Jason Lee (right).

HKSAR Government Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun (centre), Club Steward Philip Lo (right) and iRun ambassador So Wa-wai (left).

Speaking at the ceremony, Club Steward Philip Lo emphasised that the significance of iRun extends beyond a single day of competition. The initiative provides diverse support to improve participants’ physical health and foster social inclusion. The Club has always placed great emphasis on the community’s needs, with “Health” being one of the strategic priorities of its Charity’s Trust. It consistently supports various organisations, including the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs), to launch initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and enhance citizens’ overall quality of life.

Club Steward Philip Lo delivers a speech at the starting ceremony of the TWGHs “iRun” – Hong Kong Jockey Club Special Marathon 2026.

Organised by TWGHs and supported by the Trust since 2012, iRun aims to give people with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of sports and become more involved with the community. 

A member of the CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team and runner pose for a photo.

This year’s event welcomed participants not only from Hong Kong but also Beijing, Guangdong Province and Macau. Runners with intellectual disabilities were paired with volunteers in a 3km challenge race, with pre-race training sessions arranged to help pairs get to know each other. The winning teams will receive sponsorship to participate in marathons outside Hong Kong, broadening their horizons and boosting their self-esteem.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.

This year, the event once again hosted the 1km “iRun for Family”, giving children aged six to 11 with intellectual disabilities and their families the chance to enjoy sporting fun together. To further promote social inclusion, a new “1km iRun Group” race was introduced to include participants with disabilities such as visually impairment, hearing impairment or those undergoing mental rehabilitation. About 800 volunteers, including members of the Club’s CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team, participated as pair-up runners or helpers to share the joy of running.

CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners receive the trophy for the Corporate Social Inclusion Tournament.

Additionally, the “i-Runners’ Club” provides regular training for participants under the guidance of professional coaches, while “Green Marathon” elements remain integral to the event to encourage waste reduction and recycling, and advocate for environmental awareness.

The Club’s support for iRun, 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.

Club Steward Philip Lo with CARE@hkjc Volunteer Team members and runners.