The Hong Kong Prize is an annual award established by the Hong Kong Alliance of Technology and Innovation, and title sponsored by BOCHK. It aims to encourage scientific researchers in Hong Kong to continue exploring, work together to build on Hong Kong’s strengths, serve the nation and contribute to the world.
The first award was given in 2022, and the aim is to reward outstanding scientific researchers for their impressive research achievements, as well as their efforts in applying their discoveries for the benefit of society. It is a new and exciting prize in the field of science and technology, which is expected to become a flagship for Hong Kong’s scientific development.
This year, it was won by a pair of students from Harrow International School Hong Kong, Kyan Cheung Ka-hin and Ethan Soh Jon-yi. Their research report on “On the Properties of the Semigroup Generated by the RL Fractional Integral” impressed judges in this year’s competition, which had more than 70 teams from around 50 secondary schools.
Another highlight of the day was a performance by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra at The Performing Arts Centre, Victoria. The HK Phil is the only orchestra in the world to record all four Ring cycles of Wagner’s music, and this release was an opportunity for the public to enjoy the renowned works in their entirety.
In other news, a Hong Kong sportswoman has won the Paris prize for athletic achievement. Kong Yao, who competes in table tennis, fencing and swimming, has suffered two ligament ruptures and several surgeries, but her remarkable determination has kept her in the sport. She said the prize is a motivation to continue pursuing her dream and push her limits further.
Lastly, the New Year Snowball draw went without a first-prize winner for a second time this week. This means the prize fund has accumulated to over HK$138 million for a single winning unit of HK$10. A spokesperson from HKJC explained that when there is no first-prize winner, the total amount of money that would have been paid out to the winners goes into a jackpot instead, and this can be seen as a way to encourage more people to bet.
The New Year Snowball draw is one of HKJC’s largest charitable events and raises funds for various taxes and charities. It is a highly competitive draw and there are a number of steps that take place to ensure the fairness of the process. For example, employees from HKJC’s security and customer service departments check all the materials used for the draw, including the balls, on a daily basis. Balls are also tested and examined by X-ray and sealed in a special box following each draw.
Besides the HK$10 million prize money, there are also bonus prizes worth up to HK$5 million. The winning units of the HK$10 million first prize will be announced on 26 January. For more information, visit the website.