Award Ceremony of the 34th Shell/Island JC Scholarship for the Disabled Promoting Inclusiveness and Making Life Colourful

The 34^th Shell/Island JC Scholarship for the Disabled award ceremony was held today at the EDB Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre. Jointly initiated by Shell Hong Kong Limited, Junior Chamber International Hong Kong, the Education Bureau, the Special Schools Council and the Social Welfare Department in 1981, the scholarship is committed to helping students develop their potential and make a contribution to society. Having benefited some 720 winners to date, the scholarship is designed to recognise students with special educational needs who can overcome their disabilities and to actively foster their potential to serve the greater community of Hong Kong. It aims to promote a sense of inclusiveness and encourages them to realise the importance of education in making a colourful life.

At the event, Mrs. Regina Leung, wife of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms. Joanna Chow, General Manager – Commercial Fuels of Shell Hong Kong Limited, Mr. Parco Wu, President of Junior Chamber International Hong Kong, Mr. Raymond Ho, Principal Inspector (Special Education Support 2), Education Bureau, Principal Siu-fong SHUM, Chairman of the Special Schools Council, and Ms. Siu-ming Ip, Social Welfare Officer for Kwun Tong District, Social Welfare Department, acted as officiating guests and award presenters.

The choir of Mary Rose School was invited to kick off the award ceremony. To the accompaniment of an electronic organ, 25 students sang two songs – “Because He Lives” and “Creating Happiness with Hands”. The inspiring performance touched the hearts of all the guests.

Mrs. Leung said in a speech at the award ceremony that, “We should provide learning opportunities and appropriate support for students with special educational needs, to make it possible for them to give full play to their potential just like ordinary students. For its part, the government should promote a sense of inclusiveness among the public in different ways and forms, and encourage tolerance and acceptance of differences to build a caring and harmonious society.” She added, “But the government’s promotion is not enough in itself to build an inclusive society. Support from all walks of life is indispensable. The Shell/Island JC Scholarship for the Disabled is an excellent example of the joint promotion of equality and inclusiveness by business, education and government.”

Ms. Chow said, “Shell always attaches great importance to corporate social responsibility. We set up the scholarship more than 30 years ago, in the hope of encouraging students with special educational needs to enthusiastically expand their potential to serve the Hong Kong community. Personally, I very much appreciate the winners’ efforts and the immense dedication and talent they have demonstrated. In addition, the efforts and contributions of their parents and teachers as well as volunteers are also worthy of special note. We believe that everyone has his or her own talent. As long as support and care are available from all stakeholders, each student will be able to make a happy and fulfilling life. Therefore, I strongly encourage everyone to play a part or provide support for inclusive activities in future, in order to build a diversified society built on mutual appreciation and respect for all.”

At the event organiser’s invitation, a popular group of sideshow performers consisting of 10 students from Hong Chi Tuen Mun Morninghill School sent by Hong Kong charity organisation TREATS gave a wonderful plate spinning performance, which prompted thunderous applause. Moreover, an elaborate greeting cards area was arranged at the event, where the attendees could write their encouragement and best wishes for the winners of the scholarship on the butterfly greeting cards and then stick the cards on a decorative multi-coloured rainbow, implying that the winners can fly up high just like butterflies to make a colourful life and serve society. This also echoed the theme of the event – “Promoting Inclusiveness and Making Life Colourful”.

About Shell/Island JC Scholarship for the Disabled

The Shell/Island JC Scholarship for the Disabled has been well received by schools, students and parents since the inception of the International Year of the Disabled in 1981. Each year, the scholarship selection committee selects ten outstanding students and recognises their achievements with “The Outstanding Disabled Student Award”. In 1993, the committee added “The Best Progress Award” to recognise students who have made significant progress in all aspects. To recognise students with special educational needs from ordinary schools, the committee introduced “The Best Integrated Student Award” in 2001. To further promote integrated education, the committee established “The Caring Integrated Student Award” in 2011 to recognise ordinary students who help students with special educational needs participate in school life and play a positive role in the promotion of inclusiveness at schools. The Scholarship has become both a spiritual encouragement and a respected tribute for students.

List of Winners 2015

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External Relations Manager - Maggie Lam - 2506 7341