Institute of Philanthropy and Jockey Club join forces to support Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project

2025-06-03 19:48 Last Updated At：22:26

The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust have approved a donation of HK$150 million to support the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG) as the strategic partner, in launching the three-year Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project. A launch ceremony for the project, which aims to nurture a pool of talented youngsters with a passion for innovation and technology (I&T),was held today (3 June) at the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Technology Cultural Exchange Center in Beijing.

Officiating guests included Li Bin, Chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Lester Huang, IoP Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Shen Beili, Vice Chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Nong Rong, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council; Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, IoP Director and CEO of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Zhang Jiming, Vice Chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; and Kenneth Chen, President of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups.

Lester Huang, IoP Chairman and Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, said the National 14th Five-Year Plan indicates clear support for Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub, with young people as the key driving force. IoP and the Club are therefore pleased to support the implementation of this project and look forward to seeing young people seize opportunities, strive for learning and innovation, and become future InnoTech leaders.

The Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project marks the first strategic collaboration between IoP and CSCLF focused on nurturing talented Hong Kong youngsters in I&T with a national and global perspective. Through an “industry-school-community” collaboration model, the project will leverage CSCLF’s extensive network and advantage in educational research and development to provide insights on Mainland conditions and I&T development. HKFYG, as the strategic partner in Hong Kong, will offer local perspectives on youth development to ensure the programmes meet the needs of Hong Kong students and continuous talent development. This Mainland-Hong Kong collaboration pulls the best resources together to maximise students’ learning experience, foster cultural understanding and share innovative and creative ideas in both places.

Unlike existing youth exchange programmes, participants will undergo a year-long systematic raining journey co-created with leading industry and academic partners focusing on four key themes:artificial intelligence, aerospace and engineering technology, robotics and new energy. The training will have three intensity levels, incorporating activities such as exchange visits, master classes, I&T education toolkit workshops, guidance by Mainland industry experts and in-depth incubation bootcamps. It aims to progressively enhance participants’ interest in I&T, equip them with the ability to apply I&T knowledge into solving real-world problems and identify talented students to participate in national and international exchanges and competitions, such as the Soong Ching Ling Award for Children’s Invention.

Upon completion of the training programme, secondary school students aspiring to enter the I&T industry will be well equipped with an enhanced competitive edge, creating a pool of vocational talent with both national and global perspectives and providing multiple pathways for Hong Kong youth.The project will also provide professional training, customised teaching and learning toolkits, and an exchange platform for educators to enhance their teaching capabilities. Overall, the project is expected to benefit over 2,000 young I&T talents with a sense of national pride and enhance the teaching skills of around 500 I&T teachers.

As a not-for-profit sports and charity organisation rooted in Hong Kong for 140 years, the Club has a unique integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong. Under the banner “With You. Then. Now. Always.” the Club is organising a series of celebratory initiatives to mark its 140th anniversary and to recognise Hong Kong people’s contribution to its mission, which is act continuously for the betterment of society. For more information,visit https://campaign.hkjc.com/140/en/.

Jockey Club revitalises Penfold Park – Pony World brings new equestrian experience

Penfold Park - built and managed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club) – has recently been upgraded to enhance the visitor experience. The opening ceremony of Pony World, one of its new community facilities, was held today (5 June) as part of the Club’s Year of the Horse Campaign. The facility offers an interactive equestrian experience that combines education and entertainment.

Officiating guests at the ceremony included Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Philip Lo, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Leonie Lee, District Officer (Sha Tin).

Vivian Sum, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, noted that the Jockey Club has launched a series of Year of the Horse activities aligned with the policy areas of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau. Among them, the opening of Pony World seeks to cultivate children’s interest in equestrian sports and raise awareness of animal care through a range of interactive experiences, appealing to both local residents and tourists while promoting the development of equestrian sports. She expressed her sincere thanks to the Club for delivering this educational and recreational facility for the public’s enjoyment.

Officiating at the event, Lester Huang, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said the Club worked closely with the Government on Sha Tin’s large-scale land reclamation and new town development, dating back to the 1970s, including the establishment of Sha Tin Racecourse and Penfold Park. The latter served as one of the venues for the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, marking a milestone in the development of equestrian sport in the city. He added that the completion of Pony World provides the public with an opportunity to learn about horses by combining education with entertainment. It adds a fresh dimension to Penfold Park and its legacy of community service and Olympic heritage, reflecting not only the Club’s mission to enhance facilities, but also its commitment to popularising equine sports.

Close encounters with ponies

Occupying more than 7,700 square metres, Pony World will officially open to the public on 22 June, offering a wide range of equestrian experiences for families and school groups. Visitors can tour the stables, take photos with mini ponies, join interactive workshops and immerse themselves in hands-on learning at the activity zone. Children aged 3 to 14 can also enjoy pony rides. These close encounters aim to deepen the public’s understanding of horses and foster an interest in equestrian activities. Pony World is expected to serve around 17,000 visitors a year. (Please refer to the attachment for activity details).

The Penfold Park renovation and enhancement work has been underway since 2023. The first two phases have been completed, including upgrades to the park’s landscape and the introduction of various new supporting facilities, such as the Pet Zone, pathway lighting, covered seating areas, a newly constructed park office, toilets and Pony World. Phase Three will commence in due course, further upgrading park facilities and improving connectivity between the park and the Sha Tin Racecourse grandstands, to enhance the overall experience for visitors.

As a world-class sports and entertainment organisation, the Club is committed to equine sports development in Hong Kong. Initiatives range across the retraining of retired racehorses to the operation of public riding schools and provision of high-level coaching and professional support to equestrian riders through the Hong Kong Equestrian Performance Plan, as well as technical and logistical support for major equestrian events. All this is made possible by the Club’s unique integrated business model of world-class racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution.

The Club’s Year of the Horse campaign is a year-long celebration of the close bond between horses and humans and the contribution racing makes to Hong Kong. It also promotes tourism as well as equine and sports development. Racing is not only the city’s favourite pastime, but also a symbol of its “can-do” spirit and stability under One Country, Two Systems. Through the success of Hong Kong horses on the international stage, the sport also brings pride to the community and global recognition to our city. None of this would be possible without the horse. For more information, please visit https://hkjc.com/YOTH.

Jockey Club TUTTI Programme celebrated Maestro Kahchun Wong with a truly cross-cultural collaboration Highlighting Jockey Club’s commitment to strengthening East-West cultural exchange and support for National 15th Five-Year Plan

Institute of Philanthropy and Jockey Club join forces to support Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project

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