This file photo dated Aug 15, 2022 shows the night view of the campus of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

About 100 Hong Kong youths, who have excelled themselves in science or en-gineering subjects and gained admission to universities on the Chinese mainland, will be admitted to a talent program initiated by Hong Kong and United Kingdom-based conglomerate Swire Group to encourage knowledge exchanges and forays into major sci-tech innovations.

The “Hong Kong Young Technology and Innovation Talent” scheme, launched on June 19, aims to galvanize undergraduate students from the special administrative region to take up science and technology studies at mainland institutions of higher learning.

A cash incentive of HK$40,000 ($5,128) will be granted each year to success-ful candidates for the duration of their undergraduate course to cover tuition fees and living expenses

From this year to 2025, the program will admit up to 100 Hong Kong overa-chievers who’ve exhibited outstanding academic performance and virtue ethics, and who’ve received an offer from a mainland university to study science or engineering as undergraduates.

A cash incentive of HK$40,000 ($5,128) will be granted each year to success-ful candidates for the duration of their undergraduate course to cover tuition fees and living expenses.

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The scheme includes research and study tours, such as visits to key scientific research centers and sci-tech innovation enterprises on the mainland. Participants will have the chance to join research and innovation projects with re-nowned scientists, technology entrepreneurs and heads of scientific research institutions.

Subsidized summer internship opportunities in scientific research institutions or sci-tech innovation enterprises will also be offered.

The program is backed by the Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs of the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China; the Beijing Office of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office of the China Association for Science and Technology; and the Innovation and Technology Commission of the HKSAR government.

“Swire has a longstanding tradition of supporting young people in Hong Kong through education. As we keep up with the times, we want to introduce an initiative that will cultivate future innovation and technology professionals,” said Guy Bradley, chairman of John Swire & Sons (HK), at the program’s launch.

“Sci-tech innovation is booming on the Chinese mainland, and the quality of teaching in this field is constantly going up. Through our program, we expect to provide more opportunities and resources for young people in Hong Kong, helping them develop their skills in sci-tech innovation. As such, they’ll  be able to make greater contributions to transforming Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology center, as well as facilitating the city’s integration into the country’s overall development,” he said.

Zhang Yaqin, dean of the Institute for AI Industry Research at Tsinghua University and a fellow of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has been appointed as the program’s chief scientist. As one of the two chairpersons of the Selection Committee, Zhang will lead the selection process and guide successful candidates through the sci-tech adventure.

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“I’m delighted to see that Swire Group has launched this program with the aim of motivating and inspiring young people in Hong Kong to devote themselves to the cause of sci-tech innovation for the good of Hong Kong and the whole country,” said Zhang.

He urged Hong Kong students to “proactively respond to the call for historical responsibility, stay agile, carry out scientific research that truly serves humanity, and fully leverage their talents in the vast space provided by the country for scientific and technological development”.

Applications for the 2023 program are open from June 16 to August 15 this year. Applicants must be a Hong Kong permanent resident and hold a valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, as well as proof of admission to a bachelor’s course in science or engineering at a mainland university.