In addition to monetary prizes, the award offers winners a chance to advance their science career in one of Asia’s premier research hubs. Past winners have included a young man using technology to assist homeless individuals, and an artist interpreting human rights concepts in their fine art works. The Hongkong Prize is open to Southeast Asian and mainland Chinese residents as well as international applicants, making it a unique opportunity for scientists from across the globe.
The Hong Kong Prize is open to students who are enrolled in a secondary school in the territory and have been nominated by their teachers. The nominated students must submit an original work that addresses Hong Kong’s theme and follow the submission requirements. The shortlisted works will be displayed at a public exhibition, and the winner will receive cash awards, as well as a travel voucher to attend the ceremony in Hong Kong.
This year’s competition saw the most number of entries from Hong Kong, and nearly two-thirds of the shortlist were female artists – a first in the prize’s history. In the visual arts category, HK-based painter Gigi Wong is among the top three finalists. The 61-year-old’s winning entry, entitled “Spirits Embrace,” was inspired by her childhood memories in the SAR. The painting is now part of the permanent collection at the Hong Kong Museum of Arts.
Another HK-based artist, Yeung Chin-hung, also made the cut for the top three. His work “Reversal of Fortune” is a series of mixed media works on paper that are both abstract and figurative, and explore the theme of fate. The piece is a commentary on the changing fortunes of the city and its people, highlighting the fact that no matter how rich or poor you may be, you can’t avoid the twists and turns of life.
The final award of the day was the BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize, sponsored by the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited. This prestigious award recognizes the outstanding achievements of researchers and scientific enterprises in the SAR and beyond. The prize aims to encourage scientists in Hong Kong to persist in innovative exploration, and to apply their research findings for the benefit of the community.
BOCHK’s runner-ups included senior reporter Xi Tianqi for her series on the thriving art scene in the SAR, and copy editor James Cook for his story In the Green Fast Lane, which highlighted the city’s efforts to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles. The award ceremony was attended by 113 journalists from all over the world. Winners were congratulated by a standing ovation. Yawning, they were greeted by the crowd and offered champagne, chocolates, and shopping vouchers. They will also be invited to attend a networking event. This event will provide them with the opportunity to network with journalists and potential employers, as well as gain valuable industry insights. They will also be able to showcase their skills and build their portfolios.