Press Release
Seven elite student athletes embark on their studies at HKBU
Monday, 26 Oct 2020
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has enrolled seven students through its Elite Athletes Admission Scheme (EAAS) this year.
With the scholarships awarded under the EAAS, the seven student athletes are now studying Year 1 or Year 3 of the Physical Education and Recreation Management (PERM) programme at HKBU. They are current and former members of Hong Kong sports teams.
The scholarship presentation ceremony was held on 22 October. Professor Roland Chin, President of HKBU, presented certificates to the scholarship recipients at the ceremony. President Chin also pointed out in his speech that the EAAS is a scheme that HKBU is very proud of, as the University nurtures talent through scholarship and support.
"Athletes here act as role models both within the student body and to the wider community. Your abilities inspire and motivate others to pursue sport and education as realistic opportunities. I encourage you to continue to inspire others and to make full use of the support available to you," President Chin told the new cohort of EAAS students.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Professor Julien Baker, Head of the Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, said that he was very excited by the diversity contained within the EAAS cohort, with a broad range of sports included. "The scheme continues to attract high performing talent each year, demonstrating both the sporting excellence within Hong Kong, and the commitment of the University in supporting athletes in pursuit of sport and an education," said Professor Baker.
Wong Tsz-to, a student athlete from the new EAAS cohort and a member of the Hong Kong Triathlon Team explained why he joined in the Scheme: "The programme provides me with the opportunity to study for a degree and it also allows me to focus on sports development at the same time. In addition, it is a university-wide admission plan, through which I can apply for other courses I am interested in."
World-champion track cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze and world-class para badminton athlete Daniel Chan Ho-yuen, who were both enrolled at the University under the EAAS, joined the ceremony to share their experience of studying at HKBU. They reminded their EAAS fellows that as a student and an athlete at the same time, time management is essential to achieve good results in both their academic studies and sports career. Establishing a schedule to revise class materials, complete assignments and prepare for assessments in advance can help students handle their studies effectively.
Chan Ho-ling, a former Hong Kong Squash Team member, is one of the HKBU elite student athletes who have benefitted from the EAAS. She was admitted to HKBU through the EAAS in 2016. After the recent announcement of her retirement from the Hong Kong team, she joined the University coaching staff as the head coach of its squash team.
The elite athletes recruited to HKBU under the EAAS this year are as follows:
PERM Year 1:
Ngai Wai-yan (Windsurfing)
PERM Year 3:
Chan Wing-chun (Lifesaving)
Karen Mok Chui-yin (Athletics – 100m, 200m, 4x100m)
Tang Pui-kwan (Athletics – 400m)
Wong Kwan-lap (Taekwondo)
Wong Tsz-to (Triathlon)
Yiu Ming-kam (Beach volleyball)
The EAAS scholarship is given to up to 20 recipients in each cohort. Launched in 2016, it accepts undergraduate student applications through the JUPAS and Non-JUPAS admission schemes. Athletes are required to meet the minimum entry requirements of HKBU and should be members of HKSAR sports teams with a record of outstanding performances in the Olympics or Asian Games. Retired athletes of HKSAR sports teams who have achieved outstanding results in international sporting events are also eligible to apply. Selected athletes can study degree programmes offered by HKBU and are not limited to physical education programmes.
Applications opened for the 2021-22 EAAS on October 21, 2020. Application timeline:
EAAS (JUPAS applicants): 21 Oct 2020– 15 Jan 2021
EAAS (Non-JUPAS applicants): 21 Oct 2020– 27 Nov 2020
