"She Inspires" Mentorship Programme Lights the Spark in Mentees' Life Planning

To promote the career development of women, Chief Executive John Lee included "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme in his 2024 Policy Address. The programme matches local female university students who aspire to pursue a career in the professional or business sectors with women leader mentors, and provides relevant training and activities to help them enhance their skills, build confidence and network to thrive in their future career and nurture the future strength that "hold up half the sky". 

On International Women's Day (March 8), prior to attending the 2026 International Women's Day Reception, Mr. John Lee and his wife met with several mentees from the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme. Photo source: John Lee's FB image

In a social media post, Mr. Lee shared that on International Women's Day (March 8), prior to attending the 2026 International Women's Day Reception, he and his wife met with several mentees from the Programme. The students, hailing from different universities and studying various disciplines, included local students as well as those from Chinese Mainland and India. He noted that, following the positive results of the inaugural Programme, the 2025 Policy Address announced its continuation, with the second cohort set to expand by 50% to 120 mentees. The expanded programme will continue to provide related training and activities, extending its reach to benefit more female university students.

Mr. John Lee and his wife met with several mentees from the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme. Photo source: John Lee's FB image

Mr. John Lee and his wife met with several mentees from the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme. Photo source: John Lee's FB image

Mr. John Lee and his wife met with several mentees from the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme. Photo source: John Lee's FB image

The mentee Rachel Cheng, a second-year student in the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Applied Artificial Intelligence programme at the University of Hong Kong, aspires to develop products and start a company, using technology to assist those in need in the future. "For example, using VR technology to allow women to experience being a football player or an astronaut, thereby broadening their perceived possibilities and preventing society from limiting them," she shared.

Rachel noted that while she initially thought she needed to start a business during her student years to access government funds and resources, but her mentor encouraged her to connect network with more people, taking her to visit companies like Port Community System and Lenovo, etc., which broadened her horizons and deepened her understanding of the practical application of technology.

Rachel Cheng, Photo by Bastille Post

Another mentee, Charlotte Liu, a third-year student in the Bachelor of Social Sciences in Public Policy and Politics programme at City University of Hong Kong, hopes her attendance at the "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme can better prepare her for her future career planning. Her mentor, Ms. Margaret Fong, the former Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, has provided her with substantial career wisdom and life advice. As for Charlotte, what particularly impressed was her mentor's constant encouragement to maintain curiosity about the world and to actively learn: "Don't limit yourself to your profession or the familiar aspects of daily life; our worldview should be broader." She has found this guidance immensely beneficial.

Charlotte Liu (right), Photo by Bastille Post

Moon Wong, a second-year student in the Bachelor of Business Administration in Professional Accountancy programme at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, aims for a career in accounting in the future. Recognising the increasing maturity of artificial intelligence, she aspires to become an accounting professional with professional judgment and strategic thinking, capable of improving herself alongside technology and remaining indispensable.

Moon observed that accounting is often cited as a profession at risk of being replaced by AI. However, after in-depth discussions with her mentor, she discovered that "accounting is constantly evolving with the times, so we need to improve our capabilities of utilising AI to avoid being replaced." Her mentor also taught her that accounting extends beyond numbers to encompass communication. "Communication is something I'm interested in," she said, adding that her mentor also suggested she explore society more extensively in the coming years.

Moon Wong (middle), Photo by Bastille Post

Amanda Chen, a non-local student from Xi'an Province, has a deep love for Hong Kong culture. Currently, she is a third-year student in the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Scheme in Hotel and Tourism Management programme at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, who hopes to work in the hotel and convention industry in the future. Her mentor has provided her with many specific and practical suggestions for career planning, which she finds immensely helpful for her future development. She also expressed her enjoyment in learning and growing alongside other similarly aged, goal-oriented mentees.

Amanda Chen, Photo by Bastille Post

Yashica VIJAYAKUMAR, an Indian Hong Kong Permanent Resident, has been actively involved in various activities of the Programme. She aspires to dedicate herself to the legal profession in the future, advocating for the rights of vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities, foreign workers, and women affected by domestic violence or cultural pressures, to promote equality and inclusion in society.

Yashica VIJAYAKUMAR, Photo by Bastille Post

She shared that her mentor is a role model for women, having successfully balanced a career and family. This has greatly inspired her to achieve a similar balance and success in both areas of her own life in the future.

The "She Inspires" Mentorship Programme matches local female university students who aspire to pursue a career in the professional or business sectors with women leader mentors, and provides relevant training and activities to help them enhance their skills, build confidence and network to thrive in their future career and nurture the future strength that "hold up half the sky".  Photo by Bastille Post

HKMC enhances Reverse Mortgage Programme and launches Green Promotion

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited (HKMC) has been actively applying the principles of environmental, social and governance in its work. It is committed to operating business in a socially responsible and sustainable manner while implementing a high standard of corporate governance. To promote the development of green and sustainable finance with environmental and social benefits, the HKMC is going to launch the following two initiatives.

1. Enhancement to the Reverse Mortgage Programme (RMP) (Note 1)

Benefitting from the successful issuance of the 30-year HK$2 billion social bonds in November 2025 that lowered the cost of funds, the RMP introduces enhancement measures to lower the interest rate of its fixed-rate mortgage plan to 4 per cent per annum for the first 30 years and increase the monthly payout amounts by a maximum of 5 per cent varying by entry age. Application will open tomorrow (March 10).

Example: A single borrower selecting life payment term

Fixed-rate mortgage plan under the RMP

Monthly payout amount (per HK$1 million of specified property value)

Entry age

Before enhancement

(Interest rate of 4.5 per cent p.a. for the first 30 years and P (Note 2)minus 2per cent p.a. thereafter)

After enhancement

(Interest rate of 4per cent p.a. for the first 30 years and P minus 2per cent p.a. thereafter)

55 years old

HK$1,590

HK$1,660

60 years old

HK$1,930

HK$2,020

70 years old

HK$2,920

HK$3,070

2. Green Promotion

To foster the development of green buildings and properties in contributing to a sustainable future for Hong Kong, the HKMC will launch a promotion from March 17 to December 31, 2026, encouraging the public to use a property with "BEAM Plus" rating (Note 3)to apply for the RMP, the Mortgage Insurance Programme (MIP) (Note4)and the Fixed Rate Mortgage Scheme. A one-off cash incentive will be provided under the Green Promotion, with a brief introduction as follows:

Programme

One-off cash incentive

The RMP

HK$3,000; or 0.1 per cent of the specified property value (capped at HK$8,000), whichever is higher

The MIP

HK$3,000 (for loan amount below HK$5 million); or HK$5,000 (for loan amount at or above HK$5 million)

The Fixed Rate Mortgage Scheme

(non-MIP loans)

HK$1,000 (for loan amount below HK$5 million); or HK$3,000 (for loan amount at or above HK$5 million)

The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the HKMC, Mr Colin Pou, said, "We are pleased that the proceeds from the social bonds issued last year can be used to support the RMP, lowering the interest rate and providing higher monthly payouts to the retirees in need. This initiative promotes the development of the local retirement planning market and contributes to the silver economy. At the same time, through the implementation of the Green Promotion, the HKMC encourages the public to support green buildings, which helps foster a green culture and bring a positive impact to the environment."

For enquiries about the RMP, please call the HKMC Retire 3 Hotline at 2536 0833. For details of the Green Promotion, information will be available on the HKMC website (www.hkmc.com.hk) from March 17. The public may also reach out to the participating banks and institutions (see Annex) for enquiries.

Note 1: The RMP is operated by HKMC Insurance Limited. HKMC Insurance Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the HKMC.

Note 2: P is the Hong Kong Prime Rate which is determined by the HKMC from time to time.

Note 3: "BEAM Plus" rating: (1) Platinum or Gold rating (Provisional or Final) under "BEAM Plus New Buildings", or Platinum or Gold rating (Final) under "BEAM Plus Existing Buildings (Comprehensive Scheme)" as shown on Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)'s BEAM Plus Project Directory and Statistics; or (2) Green+ or Green rating under "BEAM Plus Interiors (Residential)" as evidenced by a valid certificate issued by the HKGBC.

Note 4: The MIP is operated by HKMC Insurance Limited.

Source: AI-found images