Media

Official Launch of HKU Young Scientist Scheme (YSS)
Engaging Outstanding Science Students in Research and Exchange Activities

15 Nov 2016

HKU Faculty of Science introduces the YSS. (Front row from left) Ms Chan Sze-wai, Year 1 BSc student admitted to the first cohort of YSS; Professor Cheung Wing-sum, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Faculty of Science; Ms Zhou qingqing, another student admitted to the first cohort of YSS.

(Back row from left) Year 4 BSc student Mr Thomas Wong Hin-hung and Year 3 BSc student Mr John Joson Quimpo Ng. 

To open the door of research frontiers to exceptionally talented students, starting from 2016-2017, HKU Faculty of Science has launched the Young Scientist Scheme (YSS), allowing outstanding students to grasp a taste of early research experience during their undergraduate studies in the 6901 BSc degree curriculum. The Faculty is pleased to announce that 27 outstanding students have been admitted to the first cohort of YSS, of which 17 were admitted through the JUPAS channel while the rest were through non-JUPAS channels.

As a strong, research-oriented faculty, the Faculty of Science understands the importance of nurturing talented students at an early stage.  With great commitment in incubating the next generation of scientists, the Faculty aims to expose YSS participants to ample authentic research opportunities and equip them with proper scientific training, in the hope of broadening their horizons and developing their personal strengths. Students accepted to YSS are guaranteed with the following opportunities:

• Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) in the first summer
• A further SRF or Overseas Research Fellowship (ORF) at a renowned overseas university or a research institute
• International exchange, visiting or summer study at a renowned overseas university
• Attendance to an international scientific conference
• A research mentor
• Enrolment in Frontiers of Science Honours Seminar
• Stipends for research activities
• Entrance scholarship#

#  Scholarship for Non-JUPAS students are considered on a case-by-case basis

During an earlier meeting with the first batch of YSS participants, the Faculty was delighted to hear many positive feedbacks from participants of the scheme, especially in the flexibility and abundance of learning opportunities that students can grasp and explore.   Examples of research experiences of our undergraduates and sharing of our YSS participants can be found in the supplementary information attached.

For press enquiry, please contact Ms Cindy Chan, Senior Communication Manager of Faculty of Science, on +852 3917-5286/ +852  6703-0212 or by email at cindycst@hku.hk, or Ms Rhea Leung, Manager (Media) of Communication and Public Affairs Office (Tel: +852 2857 8555) / +852 9022 7446; email: rhea.leung@hku.hk)