Hong Kong foil fencer Ryan Choi and AIA senior management shared insights to inspire young people to give back to Hong Kong through action
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 October 2026 – AIA Foundation awarded scholarships to 100 outstanding undergraduate students at the AIA Scholarships ceremony, marking the sixth cohort of AIA Scholars#. The ceremony also celebrated the graduation of the third cohort of AIA Scholars and highlighted the first-year progress of the "AIA Purpose in Action" initiative.
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Mr Jacky Chan, AIA Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Distribution Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (fifth from left); Mr Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (fourth from left); Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (fourth from right); and Ms Melissa Wong, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (third from left), together with Hong Kong foil fencer Mr Ryan Choi (fifth from right), representatives from partners including Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau, HandsOn Hong Kong, AIA Vitality Hub, Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong, as well as Hong Kong film director and screenwriter Mr James L.J. Hung, celebrated the first-year achievements of the "AIA Purpose in Action" initiative.
Mr Jacky Chan, AIA Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Distribution Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (seventh from left); Mr Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (sixth from right); Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (sixth from left), together with representatives of the 10 partner universities, congratulated the sixth cohort of scholarship recipients as they officially became AIA Scholars at the AIA Scholarships Ceremony.
Group photo of representatives from AIA Foundation, partner universities, partner organisations and AIA Scholars.
Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (first from left), and Hong Kong foil fencer Mr Ryan Choi (third from left), together with AIA Scholar representatives, shared how they are taking action to create change.
Mr Ryan Choi and AIA Scholars.
Mr Jacky Chan, AIA Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Distribution Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (fifth from left); Mr Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (fourth from left); Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (fourth from right); and Ms Melissa Wong, Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (third from left), together with Hong Kong foil fencer Mr Ryan Choi (fifth from right), representatives from partners including Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau, HandsOn Hong Kong, AIA Vitality Hub, Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong, as well as Hong Kong film director and screenwriter Mr James L.J. Hung, celebrated the first-year achievements of the "AIA Purpose in Action" initiative.
In 2020, AIA committed US$100 million to establish the AIA Scholarships to support 100 undergraduate students each year from 10 universities in Hong Kong. Administered by AIA Foundation in collaboration with the participating universities, the AIA Scholarships provide each recipient with an annual scholarship of HK$50,000 throughout their undergraduate studies. Since its establishment, the AIA Scholarships have supported nearly 600 university students, with more than 230 having completed their undergraduate studies.
Mr Jacky Chan, AIA Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Distribution Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (seventh from left); Mr Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer and Co-chairman of the AIA Scholarships Committee (sixth from right); Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (sixth from left), together with representatives of the 10 partner universities, congratulated the sixth cohort of scholarship recipients as they officially became AIA Scholars at the AIA Scholarships Ceremony.
In addition to academic achievement and financial need, a demonstrated commitment to community service is a key selection criterion for AIA Scholars. Since 2020, AIA Scholars have contributed more than 50,000 hours* of volunteer service through AIA Foundation's initiatives and other community projects.
Hong Kong foil fencer Ryan Choi, AIA senior management and AIA Scholars shared insights on inspiring change through action
At the ceremony, Mr Jacky Chan, AIA Regional Chief Executive and Group Chief Distribution Officer, and Mr Stuart A. Spencer, AIA Group Chief Marketing Officer, who serve as Co-chairmen of the AIA Scholarships Committee, shared their belief that building a healthier, more resilient and sustainable future requires collective effort. They highlighted how the AIA Scholarships equip young people with opportunities to broaden their horizons, realise their potential and explore new possibilities, with the aim of inspiring them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and help shape a better future.
Group photo of representatives from AIA Foundation, partner universities, partner organisations and AIA Scholars.
Mr Ryan Choi, Hong Kong foil fencer, joined Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation, and the AIA Scholar representatives for a dialogue on resilience and overcoming challenges. Through sharing their personal journeys, they inspired young people to pursue their dreams with confidence, realise their potential, create value for society and work together to help more people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.
Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Hong Kong & Macau and Director of AIA Foundation (first from left), and Hong Kong foil fencer Mr Ryan Choi (third from left), together with AIA Scholar representatives, shared how they are taking action to create change.
Ms Zara Chui, an AIA Scholar representative who graduated in 2024 and is currently a PhD candidate in Medicine at The University of Hong Kong, said: "The AIA Scholarships eased the financial burden of my undergraduate studies, allowing me to dedicate my summer breaks fully to scientific research. Through activities organised by AIA Foundation, I also had the opportunity to meet outstanding students from diverse academic disciplines. These interactions inspired me to think about the practical applications of research from different perspectives. As fatty liver disease is increasingly common among Asians yet often difficult to detect at an early stage, I hope my research can contribute to the development of innovative screening solutions that enable earlier detection and treatment, harnessing the power of scientific research to safeguard public health."
Mr Louis So, an AIA Scholar representative and active participant in the "AIA Purpose in Action" initiative, shared: "The 'AIA Purpose in Action' initiative has provided valuable opportunities for learning and personal growth. Through its activities, I have connected with like-minded AIA Scholars and people from different communities. These experiences have broadened my horizons and inspired me to contribute more actively to society. For me, the AIA Scholarships are not just financial assistance, but also an important recognition that has given me the confidence and courage to pursue my aspirations. I aspire to become an educator, fostering a culture of reading and connecting communities through literature."
Mr Ryan Choi and AIA Scholars.
"AIA Purpose in Action" initiative in collaboration with cross-sector partners advances education, health and community development
The ceremony also highlighted "AIA Purpose in Action" initiative ("Initiative") that launched last year to broaden AIA Foundation's impact beyond financial support. Through collaboration with partners and contributors, the Initiative features a series of curated experiences for AIA Scholars, supporting education, health and community development.
Over the past year, AIA Scholars have participated in a diverse range of activities under the Initiative, including:
| Partner / Contributor | Focus Area | Activities |
| Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau | Education | Artificial intelligence ("AI") and future career sharing session |
| AIA Human Resources Team | Career planning and interview skills session | |
| Tottenham Hotspur Football Club^ | Health | "AIA Purpose in Action: Physical and Mental Wellness Morning", a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session |
| AIA Vitality Hub^ | ||
| HandsOn Hong Kong^ | Community Development | Wheelchair Care & Support Volunteering Workshop |
| AIA Hong Kong | Community volunteering activities at AIA Community Day |
Building on this strong momentum, the Initiative will continue to broaden its range of experiences, with more contributors supportingnew activities designed to empower AIA Scholars making social impact and fostering their creativity:
| Upcoming Contributor | Focus Area | Background Information |
| Shared Value Initiative Hong Kong | Community Development | A registered charity advancing education on creating shared value, enabling non-governmental organisations and companies to address societal needs through sustainable business models. |
| Mr James L.J. Hung | Education - Creativity Development | Hong Kong film director and screenwriter who integrates AI technology into a two-dimensional (2D) hand-drawn production process to showcase the synergy of creativity and technology. |
The AIA Scholarships will continue to uphold their mission of empowering students to pursue higher education, broaden their perspectives, and reach their full potential, while nurturing socially responsible future leaders to help create a more sustainable society.
Notes to Editor
The AIA Scholarships are dedicated to supporting local students pursuing their undergraduate studies in one of the following universities (in alphabetical order) in Hong Kong:
- City University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Hong Kong Shue Yan University
- Lingnan University
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Education University of Hong Kong
- The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The University of Hong Kong
# "AIA Scholars" herein refers to the awardees of the AIA Scholarships.
* The volunteer hours are based on the annual declarations submitted by AIA Scholars, and include participation in AIA Foundation's initiatives and other self-initiated community service activities.
^ "HandsOn Hong Kong" herein refers to "Handson Hong Kong Limited". "Tottenham Hotspur Football Club" herein refers to "Tottenham Hotspur Limited". AIA Vitality Hub is operated by The Entertainment Corporation Limited (TECL).
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About AIA Foundation
AIA Foundation was established in 1995 with its commitment on the advancement of education and health, the relief of poverty, sickness and disability, and the advancement of environmental protection and community development through diverse charitable activities to create shared value. AIA Foundation focuses on nurturing children and youth with its long-term commitment to cultivate a healthier and more productive future human capital. AIA Foundation strives on the advancement of health helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives, and actively supports the less privileged aiming to contribute to the community at large.
For more information about AIA Foundation and the AIA Scholarships, please visit our website.
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