The Hong Kong Prize and BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prizes
Hong Kong Prize is a annual award scheme sponsored by the Society for Hong Kong Studies (SHKS). It seeks to recognise outstanding young researchers, scholars and professionals in the field of Hong Kong studies. The award aims to promote and encourage research into Hong Kong as an international city, while rewarding those who contribute to the development of the field. The winning submission will be presented to the society and key stakeholders in the development sector.
This year’s competition saw a record number of entries from 102 different artists from across Hong Kong and beyond. The shortlisted works explore the theme of ‘Our Changing World’, inviting participants to delve into how global evolution is taking place socially, culturally, economically and technologically. Among them, Pakistani artist Sameen Agha’s sculpture A Home Is a Terrible Place to Love won the Grand Prize and HK$30,000. His work depicts a house dismantling and falling apart.
Other winners included a team from the United States that developed a multi-sensory mixed reality therapy for dementia patients. Their virtual reality game, The Islanders, enables players to immerse themselves in the cityscape and interact with characters in a virtual environment. Their HK$10,000 prize will be used to develop the prototype for their therapy, which they hope to bring to market by next year.
The BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize is a flagship award created by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited in 2022 to champion the mission of attracting world-class science talent, nurturing forward thinking scientists and building the city into an active innovation and technology hub. The prize is judged by an independent review board comprising experts from Hong Kong and overseas, who evaluate candidates based on scientific research achievements, their application, transformation and the social or economic value they create.
Founded in 2006 by property tycoon Lui Che Woo, the award carries the tagline “advancing world civilisation and inspiring people to build a better future.” Each of the three categories—sustainability; welfare betterment; and positive energy—has its own theme that changes annually. Laureates receive cash prizes of up to HK$20 million, which is significantly more than the Nobel Prize winner’s reward, making it one of the richest prizes in the world.
The finalists of the Frank Martin Book Prize and Lyn Edinger US Scholar Awards were celebrated at a ceremony on June 21, while the scholarship winners were recognised at an event on June 26. AmCham believes that education makes a difference to our future, and is committed to supporting the next generation of Hong Kong’s workforce through a series of giving programs. These include the Frank Martin Book Prize, Lyn Edinger US Scholar Awards, Tom Gorman Scholarships and other scholarships. To learn more, click here.