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Six outstanding students from the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) have been awarded the Innovation and Technology Scholarship 2024. The Scholarship was established to recognise talented students who possess a passion for innovation and technology, and provide them with opportunities to widen their international exposure, gain industry experience and nurture their commitment to science and technology.

Each awardee will receive up to HK$150,000 for participating in a series of elite training programmes, including overseas/ mainland research attachment, mentorship programme, local internship, service project programme, ideations and achievements showcase.

Cheung Hoi-shan is a Year 4 student in the MBChB Programme (Global Physician-Leadership Stream). Her long-term aspiration is to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist, integrating patient care with research. She will participate in a clinical attachment in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) this year. Learning from the team there will provide her with invaluable opportunities to acquire first-hand experience of the development and implementation of cutting-edge technologies in head and neck surgery.

She said, “The scholarship not only offers substantial financial support but also serves as a source of motivation for me to chase my dream in oncological research and surgery, with a specific focus on otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. With this scholarship, I will be able to expand my insights and knowledge by participating in overseas clinical attachments and international conferences, widening my exposure to state-of-the-art research advances and surgical techniques.”

Fu Siu-ting, another awardee from the same study programme and year, has participated in volunteer activities serving Alzheimer’s patients, gaining an understanding of the patients’ and their caregivers’ challenges. The experience further reinforced his aspiration to be a neurological clinical scientist focusing on neurodegenerative research. With the scholarship’s support, he will have the opportunity to learn at Oxford Motor Neuron Disease Centre, exploring the frontiers in the field of neurology and learning the skills and mindset needed for research.

He said, “As the problem of the ageing population in Hong Kong becomes more apparent, it places a significant burden on the healthcare and welfare system. The issue is further perpetuated by the high prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, by acquiring knowledge and skills through engaging in research, we can figure out a method of early diagnosis and effective treatment for Alzheimer’s.”

About The Innovation and Technology Scholarship

The Innovation and Technology Scholarship was established by the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR Government, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited and The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups in 2011.  The 25 awardees each year are nominated by the university and then selected by the Awardee Selection Committee, which has members from different sectors.