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Sharing of Scholarship Recipients

Daniel CHAN

 

Chan Shing Yeuk, Daniel (Government and International Studies)
Recipient of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarship 2017/18

I spotted an opportunity to apply for the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Scholarship when I was one month into my second year. The criteria of selection for the scholarship encompasses four main areas: intellect, service, character, and leadership. Although this scholarship was one of the most competitive at university, I gave it a shot because risk was the price I needed to pay for such an opportunity.

Today marks the eighth month since I applied for the scholarship, and I have officially become a HKJC Scholar, alongside 500 others since the scholarship was established in 1998. The scholarship recognises not only my academic achievements but also my contribution to the society. Some of my work includes organising fundraisers to assemble vaccines for polio-endemic countries, hosting an assimilation program for international students, organising blood drives, tutoring underprivileged students, and promoting local volunteer efforts on the international stage. While the list of my community work encompasses healthcare, policy and education, I am still keen to expand my capacity for project building and to enrich my understanding of the societal needs in Hong Kong. More specifically, I want to advocate for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

After reporting on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) measures among Hong Kong Exchange companies last summer, I grew an interest in promoting an ethical supply chain in the private sector. I wanted to assemble projects that advocate for the integration of ethical supply chains in business models, but I did not have the resources to do so. Assembling a social project requires immense funding as well as human resources, so I had not been able to bring my social initiative into a reality. However, becoming a HKJC scholar changed all that. Now that I have access to a diverse pool of talents at JCSAA, ranging from legal experts and investment bankers to musicians and social workers, I can handily assemble an exceptional team of social innovators to bring about change in the community. I can also allocate a portion of my scholarship to several social projects dear to my heart. Because JCSAA supports HKJC scholars in their initiatives, I can envision my idea turning into reality.

Furthermore, the scholarship gives me the financial freedom to pursue my passion and serve the community in full throttle. Now I can set aside my part-time job as a piano tutor and dedicate my time to the Model United Nations community. As the Director of Academics at HKBU Model United Nations Club, I have been organising weekly training workshops for university students and performing research on global issues such as the refugee crisis, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and women in armed conflicts. Through this platform, I want to unite a group of young people who are dedicated to solving global issues and build a global community that is fuelled by intellectual conversations and modest diplomacy.

The recognition and generous support of HKJC have given me the economic freedom to expand my both my academic and social endeavours, motivating me to push the world to another level higher. With no doubt in mind, I will uphold the expectations that accompany such an honour in the remaining time of my undergraduate study and beyond.

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