Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, awardees,
In line with the Hong Kong SAR Government’s policy of promoting bilingualism, I will first address the audience in Cantonese, followed by English.
各位嘉宾、各位校长、各位老师、各位获奖同学：
很高兴出席今天的奖学金颁奖典礼，分享同学得奖的喜悦。首先，我要向所有得奖的同学，致以衷心的祝贺！
教育是强国建设、民族复兴之基。二十大报告提出，到2035年建成教育强国的目标。随着国家教育高速发展，香港教育将迎来黄金十年。在「一国两制」下，香港教育具有高度国际化和多元化的优势，拥有一流的大学、优质的基础教育、优秀的教师团队。配合国家发展大局，教育局会坚持守正创新，抓住国家「一带一路」、大湾区等发展机遇，深化香港作为国际专上教育枢纽和人才集聚的角色，巩固和发展香港教育的优势。我们现正在全球推广「留学香港」品牌，通过奖学金等，吸引更多境外尤其是东盟及「一带一路」国家的学生来港升学。
「香港特别行政区政府奖学基金」及「自资专上教育基金」分别于2008及2011年成立，目的是表扬在不同方面有卓越表现的学生，吸引更多优秀的非本地学生来港就学，以提升香港作为国际专上教育枢纽的地位。两个奖学金推出至今，已经有超过11万3千位同学获奖，涉及奖学金额约24亿元，而今个学年的受惠学生超过6 400位。
奖学基金下设的「一带一路奖学金」，一直广受相关国家和地区的杰出学生及参与计划的本地大学欢迎。自2016/17学年推出至今，我们收到了来自亚洲、欧洲、非洲、北美洲以及南美洲72个「一带一路」国家的提名，累计超过680名来自49个国家的学生获奖。近年我们已将奖学金名额增加至每年150个，希望吸引更多优秀学生来港升学，同时加强对非本地学生的支持，让他们在香港求学期间有愉快充实的体验，增加毕业后留港发展的意欲，一齐说好香港故事。
政府一直致力支持自资与公帑资助专上教育界别并行发展。自资院校在开办课程享有更大弹性，能够灵活响应社会不同界别的人力需求，提供多元升学出路。为促进自资界别的健康稳健发展，我们已于3月向立法会提交《2025年专上学院（修订）条例草案》，期望完善自资院校的监管及质素保证机制，提高治理水平，并为院校拆墙松绑，支持自资界别扩容提质。此外，政府亦积极推动职专教育，培育更多应用型人才。目前，香港已有两所自资院校通过评审，成为应用科学大学。我们亦已支持有潜质的专上院校成立「应用科学大学联盟」，实行联动推广。未来，我们会继续支持应用科学大学发展，为同学进一步完善职专进阶路径。
在此，我要感谢香港特别行政区政府奖学基金督导委员会、自资专上教育委员会辖下的支持措施小组委员会、两项基金的投资委员会主席和各委员，以及各参与大专院校的全力支持，与教育局齐心协力，推动两个奖学金顺利运作。
再次祝贺所有得奖同学，希望同学继续努力充实自己，尽展所长；迎接各种挑战和机遇，为国家和香港作出贡献。
I am most delighted to be with you today at the Joint Scholarship Presentation Ceremony for the 2024/25 academic year. First of all, a very warm welcome to those non-Cantonese speaking guests or students attending this Ceremony.
Education is the foundation for building a strong nation and reviving the nation. The 20th National Congress Report has indicated the goal of building a strong education nation by 2035. In the coming decade, the country will develop education at a rapid pace, with Hong Kong’s education in a golden era. Under ‘One Country, Two Systems’, education in Hong Kong enjoys the advantages of being highly internationalised and diversified, with first-class universities, high-quality basic education and excellent teaching staff. To tie in with the overall national development, the Education Bureau (EDB) will adhere to the principle of integrity and innovation, and seize the development opportunities arising from the country’s “Belt and Road initiatives” and the Greater Bay Area etc., to deepen Hong Kong’s role as an international post-secondary education hub and a cluster of talents, and to consolidate and develop Hong Kong’s advantages in education.
On nurturing talents, the HKSAR Government established the Committee on Education, Technology and Talents to enhance the systemic, holistic and synergistic nature of policies. Based on the manpower demand of Hong Kong's strategic positioning of "eight centres", the Committee aims to promote integrated development of education, technology and talent from the top and fully implement the work of invigorating the country through science and education. EDB will proactively develop Hong Kong as an international post-secondary education hub, including promoting the “Study in Hong Kong” brand globally, and attracting more international students, particularly those from the ASEAN and Belt and Road countries, to study in Hong Kong through providing scholarships or other initiatives.
The Belt and Road Scholarship has gained significant recognition from countries and regions along the Belt and Road since its launch. We have received nominations from 72 countries up to the 2024/25 academic year; whilst the annual quota for the Scholarship has been increased from the initial 10 to 150 starting from the 2024/25 academic year. The number of scholarship awardees has exceeded 680 coming from 49 Belt and Road countries. EDB will continue to collaborate with participating local universities to further promote the Scholarship to ASEAN and other Belt and Road countries. It will also support these universities in improving campus facilities and providing support to foster student integration, ensuring that non-local students have a fulfilling and enjoyable experience of studying in Hong Kong.
I hope you have found Hong Kong to be a fascinating and welcoming home away from home. This city is known for its inclusiveness and richness in social, cultural or lifestyle aspects. Beyond being a cosmopolitan hub, Hong Kong offers an abundance of beautiful mountains and stunning beaches, all easily assessable via efficient transportation. The city also boasts a diverse food scene with ample choices. In addition, Hong Kong provides an amazing platform for career development, offering plenty of jobs and opportunities on a level playing field. Both local and non-local students are most welcomed and encouraged to consider starting and pursuing their careers in this vibrant and truly international city.
Last but not least, I wish you every success in your future endeavours and look forward to seeing your incredible contributions to society. Thank you.
