Two recipients of the First-in-the-Family Education Fund (第一代大學生獎學金), Daniel Ho (Engineering, Year 2) and Kia Cheung (Education, Year 2), together with 3 other HKU students, made use of the fund for a service trip to Kenya with a simple goal - help combat the spread of malaria. With six months of planning and preparation, they installed 200 mosquito nets at local orphanage and hospital, and built a sustainable water filter at refugee camp in Kenya!

Their story is featured in Issue 803, Sunday Kiss of Oriental Sunday (30/4/2013).

Over 300 students, families and friends, alumni and supporters gathered at Rayson Huang Theatre on February 27, 2013 for the First-in-the-Family Education (FIFE) Fund 5th Anniversary Presentation Ceremony.

The First-in-the-Family Education Fund (FIFE Fund), which enables students with financial difficulties to benefit from learning opportunities outside the classroom, will open for application from 21 January, 2013 to 28 February, 2013 . Students who are interested to apply should submit an on-line application at FIFE Fund’s website (http://www.fife.hku.hk) during the application period.

Over 150 students, families and friends, alumni, supporters gathered at the First-in-the-Family Education Fund Presentation Ceremony on February 23, 2012 for an interactive sharing on learning and of touching personal experiences in Convocation Room filled with warmth and joy.

學生事務長周偉立博士的話:

「為學生提供平等教育機會」

本年的財政預算案中，政府將會撥款1億元推行為期五年的「專上學生內地體驗計劃」，每名學生最高可獲3,000元資助，以鼓勵學生們透過到內地交流，豐富其學習經歷。現時的學習費用愈來愈高，隨著知識型經濟發展，教育不再是單向的知識傳授，更重要的是學生要通過各式各樣的體驗和學習經歷，建立自己的知識體系和培養多元能力，達至全人教育的目標。但這些學習活動涉及額外開支，對低收入家庭的大學生構成沉重負擔....見全文

The First-in-the-Family Education Fund Scheme won the Overall Grand Gold medal and a Gold medal in the Fundraising Programs Category of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Awards 2009.

The CASE Circle of Excellence programme recognises CASE members who implement programmes that have a lasting impact, demonstrate exceptional professionalism and deliver extraordinary results. There were a total of 2,800 entries from 690 member institutions in 2009.

Mr John Lippincott, President of CASE congratulated HKU, “The First-in-the-Family Education Fund Scheme is a stellar example of this high standard. We commend this innovative and socially mindful programme, and congratulate HKU for bringing great distinction to not only the university but also setting a high standard in Asia Pacific.”