“The Master Classes for Youth” in Hong Kong to nurture Hong Kong’s future I&T talent

2026-06-30 09:42 Last Updated At：09:43

More than 4,300 students across 23 Hong Kong secondary schools are engaging with leading Chinese Mainland experts in artificial intelligence, aerospace, robotics, energy technology, and cultural conservation through a citywide series of “The Master Classes for Youth” designed to spark interest in innovation, technology, and culture. Organised by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and funded by the Institute of Philanthropy (IoP) and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, and with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups serving as the strategic partner, supported by the Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation, the two-day “The Master Classes for Youth — Youth Stands Beyond the Horizon: Tomorrow’s Questions, Today’s Answers” programme (June 29 to 30) brings seven top experts into schools for thematic talks and face-to-face exchanges.

“The Master Classes for Youth” in Hong Kong form part of the three-year Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project, which equips Hong Kong youth with progressive, real-world exposure to innovation and technology through an “industry-school-community” collaboration model. By highlighting the intersection of cutting-edge technologies, traditional Chinese culture, and national development, the programme helps students understand how innovation shapes everyday life and future careers, while reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub under the National 15th Five-Year Plan and Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan.

To date, nearly 260 secondary school students have joined the Journey of Exploring the Motherland, 350 primary and secondary school students have taken part in Knowledge Quest, and over 100 teachers have participated in the Teacher Nurturing Scheme. These experiences also connect Hong Kong participants with Chinese Mainland universities, research institutions, high-tech enterprises, and major national projects, deepening their understanding of innovation ecosystems.

Students who joined Knowledge Quest tours shared their enthusiasm for the initiative. Li Lok Chun, a student from Queen Elizabeth School Old Students’ Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School noted that artificial intelligence “is no longer a distant concept,” citing examples from smart driving to healthcare. Sky Wan, a student from Holy Trinity College added that technology “reshapes how we understand development pathways,” showing that breakthroughs often emerge from solving real-world problems. Building on these experiences, students will travel to Beijing in July and August to participate in the “In-depth I&T Bootcamps,” where, under expert guidance, they will apply their learning from the “Nurturing Future InnoTech Talent Project” to develop their own innovation and technology projects.

Through the Teacher Nurturing Scheme, participating teachers also benefited from the programme through the use of meticulously designed teaching toolkits, online professional development training and direct exchanges with Mainland experts. By enhancing their competency and literacy in innovation and technology, the scheme empowers educators to better inspire and nurture the next generation of Hong Kong’s I&T talent.

The main event was held yesterday at the auditorium of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Building, and officiated by: Shen Beili, Vice Chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation; Kevin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government; Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups; Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of IoP and Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Professor Herman Hu, Founding President of Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Presents: “We All Shine On” Photo Exhibition opens at Tai Kwun, showcasing 45 stories of positive community impact

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust Presents: “We All Shine On” Photo Exhibition opens today (13 November) and runs until 29 November at the Duplex Studio, Tai Kwun. As one of the highlights of the Club’s Year of the Horse campaign, the exhibition brings together works by 15 photographers, documenting 45 real-life stories that showcase how projects supported by the Trust respond to societal needs and create positive, lasting community impact.

A launch ceremony for the exhibition was held today, officiated by the Guest of Honor, Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, accompanied by representatives of the participating photographers, and the individuals featured in the photos, including renowned local artists Chow Yun-fat, Simon Yam Tat-wah and Tse Kwan-ho, as well as Ian Yu, Recipient of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Striding On Scholarship, JC Scholar and Muhammad Mubashar, Graduate of C-for-Chinese@JC Multicultural Teaching Assistant diploma programme.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Club Chief Executive Officer, said: “Through 45 real-life stories drawn from projects supported by our Charities Trust, 15 photographers have captured the warmth, compassion and human connections at the heart of our charitable work. Together, they remind us that through leadership and guidance, resilience and renewal, aspiration and shared progress, each of us can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.” He added: “The Club will continue to work with the HKSAR Government and all sectors of society, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique strengths to serve the country’s needs and to support our city’s contribution to national development.”

Echoing its title, “We All Shine On”, the exhibition is presented across three interconnected zones: Sun, Moon and Stars. Featuring some 185 photographs, it highlights the positive impact of projects supported by the Trust across its nine key impact areas: Health, Education, Sports, Culture, Sustainability, Children, Youth in Families, Older Adults, Development of Professionals and Fairer Opportunities. Participating photographers include renowned local celebrities Chow Yun-fat, Simon Yam Tat-wah and Tse Kwan-ho, alongside distinguished photographers such as anothermountainman, Chan Dick, Jaze Chan, Kinwai Cheung, Hazel Chiu, Pater Ho, Joyce Kwan, Lam Hiu-man, Lo Yuk-ying, Lean Lui, Man Lim-chung and Tsai King-yan.

Visitors will discover the interactions and human connections behind each story, and see how these workers, community partners and service users work together to create positive social value. The exhibition also illustrates how The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust works across different sectors of the community through cross-sector collaboration to create positive, lasting impact.

Beyond the photographic works, the exhibition features multimedia installations and interactive experiences that bring these stories to life through video. Visitors can explore the people, memorable moments and personal reflections behind each photograph. A series of fireside conversations and photo walks will also be held. Three participating photographers will lead guided walks through Central and Sheung Wan, sharing their insights into portrait photography and visual storytelling while exploring community stories from different perspectives. Selected photographers and project participants will also take part in sharing sessions, engaging directly with the public to share their personal experiences and creative journeys. For details of the exhibition and related activities, please visit website.

Following its run at Tai Kwun, the exhibition will tour various locations, including shopping malls in Kowloon and the New Territories, from January to March 2027, bringing these inspiring stories to a wider audience. Details will be announced in due course.

The Club’s support for the “We All Shine On” Photo Exhibition, like all of its charity and community initiatives, is made possible by its unique value creation model, through which the Club generates sustainable economic and social value for the community through tax contributions, charitable donations and employment opportunities.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust presents “We All Shine On” Photo Exhibition highlighting 45 inspiring community stories by 15 renowned photographers

“The Master Classes for Youth” in Hong Kong to nurture Hong Kong’s future I&T talent

HK