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.
Shen Beili, Vice Chairperson of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (centre); Kevin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (2nd left); Hsu Siu-man, Executive Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (1st left); Dr Gabriel Leung, Director of the Institute of Philanthropy and Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (2nd right); and Professor Herman Hu, Founding President of Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation (1st right) attend the main event of “The Master Classes for Youth — Youth Stands Beyond the Horizon: Tomorrow’s Questions, Today’s Answers”.
“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.
Students from Hong Kong secondary schools learned about cutting-edge technologies, the nation’s major achievements and Chinese culture during the main event of “The Master Classes for Youth — Youth Stands Beyond the Horizon: Tomorrow’s Questions, Today’s Answers”.
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.
Since its launch in 2016, CoolThink@JC, initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, has had a significant and widespread impact. In 2023, the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government has adopted and adapted its learning materials as part of curriculum modules on innovation and technology education. Over 100,000 upper primary students across all publicly funded primary schools in Hong Kong have been empowered with problem-solving and creative skills for the digital age. Internationally, the programme has received multiple accolades including the QS Reimagine Education Awards, and its teaching materials have been shared worldwide. It has also been adopted by schools in the Chinese Mainland.
Last year, in another milestone, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) to adopt and adapt the CoolThink@JC curriculum in Cambodian primary schools. To mark the official introduction of the programme in Cambodia, an Implementation of Computational Thinking Education Launch Ceremony was held today (6 June) at MoEYS in Phnom Penh, followed by teacher exchange and training activities.
Attending guests included Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia; Dr Kim Sethany, Permanent Secretary of State at MoEYS, Cambodia; Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust; Sok Tha, Director of the Department of Digital Transformation at MoEYS, Cambodia; Dr Kann Puthy, Director of the Department of Primary Education at MoEYS, Cambodia; Sineth Seng, Deputy Director, Department of Digital Transformation at MoEYS, Cambodia; Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Education & Youth Cluster) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Daniel Lai, CoolThink@JC Programme Director of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jackson Woo said he was delighted to see how MoEYS is rolling out this approach to learning across Cambodia. He noted that the Club is a world-class horse racing and sports organisation with a single purpose of contributing to the betterment of society, and that its Charities Trust is the largest charitable donor in Asia and one of the biggest worldwide. Supporting inclusive education is one of the Club’s key priorities, particularly as students need to be digitally equipped to navigate a rapidly changing world. He added that this was the driving force behind the pioneering CoolThink@JC programme, whose impact extends beyond students to teachers through professional development and to parents through workshops, helping to drive systemic change.
He further highlighted that this collaboration is motivated by a shared commitment to promote equitable access to high-quality education as part of the Belt and Road initiative, which is designed to strengthen international trade, connectivity and economic growth. The partnership has established a foundation for cross-border educational initiatives, including collaborative research and student exchange programmes, which can inspire impactful learning for students across Asia. He also expressed deep gratitude to the HKSAR Government for its ongoing support, which has been crucial to making this collaboration possible.
Under the collaboration with MoEYS, CoolThink@JC’s curricular materials will be introduced in 100 public schools in Cambodia, between 2025 and 2028, benefiting around 30,000 students and 500 teachers. By enhancing students’ computational thinking and problem-solving skills, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and support the development of Cambodia’s education system.
The collaboration also promotes knowledge exchange between educators in Hong Kong and Cambodia, fostering regional networks and supporting future cooperation such as research partnerships and student exchanges. It is expected to enhance teaching practices and create more inclusive and impactful learning environments across the region.
The Club’s support for CoolThink@JC, 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.
Group photo.
CoolThink@JC team visits public primary school in Cambodia implementing the CoolThink@JC curriculum.
Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia (5th left); Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (5th right) and other guests officiate at the Implementation of Computational Thinking Education Launch Ceremony.
Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust delivers a speech at the Implementation of Computational Thinking Education Launch Ceremony.
Dr Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Cambodia (left) and Jackson Woo, Trustee of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (right) exchange gifts.
CoolThink@JC textbook Cambodia translation edition.
A Certification of Appreciation from Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport to the Trust.
