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Seven outstanding students from the Faculties of Medicine and Science of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have been awarded the Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2023, one of the most prestigious academic awards in Hong Kong, which aims to cultivate young talents who are passionate about science and technology and encourage them to contribute to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology.

The Scholarship offers each of them a scholarship worth up to HK$150,000, allowing them to participate in a series of elite training projects including overseas and mainland attachments, mentorship programmes, internship programmes, and a service project, so as to widen their international and mainland exposure and increase their experience in related industries.

Lucky Tsoi Lu-yi, a Year 3 student in Biochemistry, has always been inquisitive about the world, particularly in the fields of astronomy, natural ecosystems, and life science, and has participated in various science programmes over the years. She is applying for an exchange programme at the University of California, Berkeley and planning to take courses in molecular and cell biology, with a focus on virology, immunology, genetics, and related fields. She will utilise this scholarship to support the study during the programme.

She said, “In the summer vacation of 2022, I conducted a rhinovirus research project at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital to investigate the surge of certain rhinovirus strains during the COVID-19 pandemic. My ultimate goal is to simplify the complex research findings and transform them into products that are accessible to and understandable by the general public, which can contribute to the biotechnology sector and society. I will seize the opportunity to engage in the research programme of the University of California, Berkeley to gain insights from their ways of conducting research and pursue my target.”

Lai Lok-kan, a Year 3 Physics student is another awardee. As the participant in the Summer Undergraduate Research Exchange (SURE) Programme in CUHK’s Department of Physics, he will go to the University of Waterloo and join Professor Guo Xingmiao’s research group on topics about topological superconductors. He can also delve into the intricate process of growing topological superconductors and master the operation of state-of-the-art instruments. Meanwhile, he hopes to solidify his theoretical understanding of superconductors and quantum computation by doing literature reviews and speaking with professionals. With the support of the scholarship, he can establish more overseas study plans out of normal exchange activities, such as attending seminars and visiting more labs.

He said, “The Innovation and Technology Scholarship has provided me with strong support and allowed me to broaden my horizons. I may get in touch with international physics professionals and join frontier condensed matter physics projects. Specially, the Mentorship Programme has linked me up with professionals in material science. I can not only learn from them but also possibly cooperate with them on future projects in the future. I may receive career advice from professionals. Therefore, it is a great honour and a precious opportunity to be awarded the scholarship, and I will make good use of it to achieve my goals.”

About the Innovation and Technology Scholarship

The Innovation and Technology Scholarship, organised by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups with the joint sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Technology Commission and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, aims to give due recognition to outstanding undergraduates in science, engineering and medicine-related fields. All 25 awardees each year are nominated by their university and then selected by an Awardee Selection Committee with members from different sectors.