Twenty outstanding Hong Kong pupils received top honours at the 44th Student of the Year Awards, with a ceremony held on Saturday morning at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Austin Leung Ngo-hei, from Diocesan Boys’ School, won the grand prize for driving positive change through STEAM innovations in robotics and education.
The awards, organised by the South China Morning Post and sponsored solely by the Hong Kong Jockey Club with support from the Education Bureau, saw a record 840 nominations from 177 schools.
This year’s theme, “Building Tomorrow: Growth Through Action”, emphasised proactive community engagement to drive innovation, mindset change and progress.
The awards ceremony drew hundreds of students, parents, teachers and community members. It also celebrated the launch of the Growth Network, an initiative that will connect all nominees with mentorship and career resources for future success.
“Hong Kong is fortunate to have so many deserving students,” said Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki in his opening remarks.
“The government is firmly committed to youth development … Our vision is to raise a new generation of youth instilled with global respect, a positive mindset and a deep love for our city and our country.”
The No 2 official said this vision required a community-wide effort to create an enabling environment for Hong Kong’s young people. He congratulated the winners and said the city had high hopes for their future.
Dr Lake Wang, executive director of people and organisational development at the Jockey Club, said: “These awards, now in their 44th year, have become a valued fixture in Hong Kong’s academic calendar, highlighting the depth of talent in the city’s secondary schools.”
“To give context to today’s ceremony, you need only look at alumni of these awards who can be found excelling in sports, business, law, public services, social enterprises, arts, charities and many other professions.”
The 10 award categories covered language, science and mathematics, visual and performing arts, and sports.
The grand prize – a scholarship of HK$25,000 (US$3,200) – recognises a student who exemplifies dedication and transformative community contributions, showcasing the power of collective action for positive change.
Runners-up receive scholarships of HK$8,000 and HK$4,000.
This year’s grand winner, Austin Leung Ngo-hei, is a Grade 12 student at the Diocesan Boys’ School. He excels in robotics and STEAM education and aspires to study engineering at Cambridge University.
“It has been a real honour … my goal is to continue to do [scientific] research at the university,” the student, who also won runner-up in the Scientist and Mathematician category, said.
“I hope I can continue to bring my experience back to Hong Kong to encourage junior students in my schools.”
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Austin led projects such as building a record-breaking compact robot designed to support children with special needs in limited spaces and donated STEAM kits to underserved communities abroad.
Ling Cheuk-laam, a Form Five student at Ho Dao College (sponsored by Sik Sik Yuen), won the Best Improvement award as she overcame personal challenges to become a key player on the Hong Kong women’s volleyball team.
Her effort in promoting the sport to drive positive change and motivate others had impressed the judges.
“I hope I can represent Hong Kong to compete and use my dream to empower many more others,” she said.
Catherine So, chief executive officer of the South China Morning Post, said celebrating such achievements inspired hope and highlighted the students’ potential for positive impact.
She added that the Growth Network initiative would provide all nominees access to corporate networks, visionary leaders, advancements in business and technology, career advice, and opportunities to shape a meaningful future.
“As you embark on your next chapter, I encourage you to stay focused, embrace challenges and continue making a difference,” So said.
