A total of 56 police children were awarded scholarships by the Police Children's Education Trust and the Police Education and Welfare Trust for 2016/17. The Scholarship Presentation Ceremony took place at the Police Headquarters on August 18, with Acting Commissioner Lau Yip-shing, Chairman of the Joint Management Committee of the trusts Mr Lee Tze-hau and Chairperson of the Joint Investment Advisory Board of the trusts Ms Tsang Wai-sze as officiating guests. The two chairpersons also presented certificates to the recipients.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the two education trusts this year, a commemorative film was shown at the ceremony. The film featured a message from Commissioner Lo Wai-chung and Assistant Commissioner (Personnel) Siu Chak-yee as well as thank-you messages from 10 recipients.

Mr Lo said that since the establishment of the two education trusts 50 years ago, the trusts have gradually expanded with the aid of the successive chairpersons and members of the Joint Management Committee and donors. Given their ample reserves, a total of 51 038 police children have benefited from the trusts with more than $188 million granted over the years. On the other hand, Mr Siu remarked that as a second-generation police officer, he finds the trusts of significant importance to police children. He witnessed how fellow colleagues benefited from the trusts and realised their dreams. Hence, he thanked community members for their support for and donations to the trusts.

The two education trusts have provided scholarships, bursaries and grants for numerous police children for five decades with an aim to motivating them to study hard and contribute to society. For the 2016/17 school year, the trusts gave out more than $6 million in subsidies to the recipients.

Addressing the audience at the ceremony, Mr Lau said that the trusts had been optimising the use of donations over the years with the guidance and assistance in trusts management and investment, given by the chairpersons and members of the Joint Management Committee and the Joint Investment Advisory Board. He also thanked the generous donors, adding that their donations showed their recognition of the trusts' commitment to educating the next generation as well as the community's support for the Force. Mr Lau encouraged the recipients to contribute back to the trusts after their studies for the benefit of more police children.

Mr Lau also extended a special vote of thanks to the retired Chairman of the Joint Investment Advisory Board, Mr Tsang Kwong-wing, who gave invaluable professional advice and significant contribution over the past 12 years.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lee congratulated the recipients and urged them to bear in mind their parents' love and care. He called on them to set a personal goal, find a suitable job after graduation and be humble and open-minded, transforming challenges into opportunities.

A representative of the recipients, Ms Tsang Tsz-wing, thanked donors for their benevolence and financial support. In addition, a former recipient, Senior Inspector Tai Chun-ting, said at the event that he followed his father's footsteps to join the Force. He firmly believed that one could achieve one's dream by setting a personal goal and staying positive during difficult times. On the other hand, Ms Yung Muk-yan, one of the recipients last year, told the audience that she had picked up from her father the qualities of bravery, responsibility and perseverance, which helped her overcome difficulties and challenges.