Press Release

The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) held The Academy Awards for the Gifted 2026 today at the Jockey Club Auditorium, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The Academy presented multiple awards, including the Outstanding Graduate Award, Outstanding Alumnus Award, and Gifted Star Awards, to honour over a hundred gifted students and an alumnus recognised for outstanding performances in local, national, and international competitions. This annual Academy event witnessed award recipients receiving their honours before family, friends, and teachers, creating a touching atmosphere.

The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Transforming Giftedness to Achievement”. Dr CHAN Kin Keung Eugene, SBS, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Gifted Education, served as the Guest of Honour. The event also invited Ms CHOI Man Yee Katharine, Principal Assistant Secretary (Education Infrastructure) of the Education Bureau, Dr LAM Tat Ho Lander, Chief Curriculum Development Officer of the Gifted Education Section of the Education Bureau, members of the Advisory Committee on Gifted Education, and Directors of the HKAGE Board of Directors to attend and present the awards.

The Awards Presentation Ceremony aims to recognise gifted students for their exceptional achievements in various territory-wide, national, and international competitions, particularly in innovation and technology, leadership, and community contributions. Award presenters also issued certificates to participants of the Hong Kong Gifted Apprentice Programme and to the Awarded Student Ambassadors, and presented letters of appreciation to mentors of the Hong Kong Gifted Apprentice Programme and to selection judges of the Principal’s Nomination Scheme (Visual Arts Domain), in recognition of their valuable contributions.

Honouring Over a Hundred Students – Affirming the Impact of Gifted Education

In his speech, the Guest of Honour, Dr CHAN Kin Keung Eugene, SBS, BBS, JP encouraged the students: “Gifted education serves as a vital platform for driving Hong Kong’s development. In a future where both artificial and human intelligence advance in tandem, we look forward to harnessing everyone’s professional strengths to guide students in exploring the unknown, creating new possibilities, and translating the Government’s educational vision into tangible outcomes — nurturing the talent that will pave the way for a successful future.

Mr TAI Lun Paul, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the HKAGE, congratulated the award recipients: “The society of the future not only requires students to possess innovative technological knowledge and skills, but also resilience and tenacity. In this rapidly changing era, facing unknown challenges, students need more than outstanding digital skills and academic competence — they also require the ability to bounce back quickly from adversity and the adaptability to create new opportunities amid change.”

Gifted Students Pass on Knowledge and Give Back to Society

This year’s Outstanding Graduate Award and Outstanding Alumnus Award were presented to graduate KWAN Yung Ho and alumnus Dr CHANG Man Hei Jeffrey respectively. KWAN Yung Ho, recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Award, was selected to represent Hong Kong at the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) in 2023, 2024, and 2025, achieving one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in total. Passionate about mathematics, he has recently been assisting the Academy in training other students with potential in the subject and aspires to pursue mathematical research in the future. KWAN expressed gratitude to the Academy for its nurturing and encouraged fellow students: “I hope everyone can find a field that makes their eyes sparkle and ignites their passion. Follow your heart and realise your full potential.”

Dr CHANG Man Hei Jeffrey, recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award, holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Climate Modelling from The University of Hong Kong, specialising in microclimate and planning of future sustainable cities.  Dr Chang works in the education field, that through teaching students to create their own measuring instruments using 3D printing technology, he integrates urban climate and citizen science education into secondary school curriculum and field studies. Dr CHANG has long been committed to promoting research, education, and popularisation of geospatial data applications in Hong Kong. He has received the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships for Postgraduate Research Students and the JC STEM Early Career Research Fellowship for Translation and Application. He currently serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at university and has also been a course instructor at the Academy, teaching environmental science and meteorology. In his speech, Dr CHANG encouraged his junior fellow students at the Academy: “As long as you make good use of your abilities and strive forward, I believe the gates of the sky will lead you toward the right path.”

Sustaining Excellence and Nurturing Future Leaders

The Academy hopes that all award recipients will carry the strengths and confidence gained at the HKAGE to continue pursuing excellence on a broader stage. It also encourages newly enrolled student members to explore boldly and realise their talents. Moving forward, the Academy will continue to identify students with potential and, guided by the spirit of whole person development, provide them with diverse programmes and learning experiences. These efforts will lead them towards specialisation and excellence, nurturing more internationally minded leaders for Hong Kong and the nation.

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The Guest of Honour and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Gifted Education, Dr CHAN Kin Keung Eugene, SBS, BBS, JP, remarked: “As a key platform for advancing gifted education in Hong Kong, the HKAGE will continue to shoulder its important mission. In a future where artificial intelligence and human intelligence advance in parallel, the Academy will fully leverage its professional strengths to lead students in exploring the unknown, creating possibilities, and transforming the Government’s education vision into tangible outcomes in nurturing talent, achieving an outstanding future that belongs to you.”	Mr TAI Lun Paul, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the HKAGE, stated: “The society of the future not only requires students to possess innovative technological knowledge and skills, but also resilience and tenacity. In this rapidly changing era, facing unknown challenges, students need more than outstanding digital skills and academic competence — they also require the ability to bounce back quickly from adversity and the adaptability to create new opportunities amid change.”
Outstanding Graduate Award recipient Mr KWAN Yung Ho encouraged students not to forget their original aspirations on their learning journey. He said: “I hope everyone can find a field that makes their eyes sparkle and ignites their passion. Follow your heart and realise your full potential.”	Outstanding Alumnus Award recipient Dr CHANG Man Hei Jeffrey expressed his hope to continue passing on his knowledge to other students. He remarked: “As long as you make good use of your abilities and strive forward, I believe the gates of the sky will lead you (the students) toward the right path.”
Distinguished guests officiated the launching ceremony to set sail for gifted students, supporting them to embark on their unique learning journeys and strive for excellence. From left:  Prof JONG Siu Yung Morris, Chairperson of the Research Committee, HKAGE Prof. WOO Kam Tim, Chairperson of the Curriculum Development Council Committee on Gifted Education and Chairperson of the Talent Development Committee, HKAGE Mr TAI Lun Paul, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, HKAGE Dr CHAN Kin Keung Eugene, SBS, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Gifted Education Ms CHOI Man Yee Katharine, Principal Assistant Secretary (Education Infrastructure) of the Education Bureau Ms CHAN Ching Chu Rebecca, Chairperson of the Finance and General Affairs Committee, HKAGE Ms WAN Shuk Fan Suki, Chairperson of the School and Student Services Committee, HKAGE Mr WONG Chung Po, Acting Executive Director, HKAGE
Group photo of guests with all gifted students, showcasing the fruitful achievements of gifted education.