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 16 January to 29 February 2012. Students who are interested to apply should submit an on-line application at FIFE Fund’s website (http://www.fife.hku.hk)

Over 250 students, families and friends, alumni, supporters gathered at the First-in-the-Family Education Fund Presentation Ceremony for an interactive sharing on learning and of personal experiences in a room filled with warmth and joy.

A number of supporters of the Scheme and alumni joined these students and encouraged them to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead. They were Dr Philip Wong, Dr Robin Y H Chan of HKU Foundation, Dr Sin Kuen Fung of Law’s Charitable Foundation, Mr Yeung Kwok Keung of Country Garden Holding Ltd and Mr Lam Sum Chee.

The Scheme has benefited over 750 students in the past three years. It has also made possible many first-time experiences for these students; for example, first-time climbing a volcano, first-time volunteering as a teacher in a poor rural village and first-time learning Arabic. For many of these students, these are dreams once far beyond reach but now duly fulfilled.

A big thank-you to all the supporters of the Scheme, which helps us to advocate equal learning opportunities and enables these students to realise their dreams.

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.”