Government, business sector and community witness mentees’ achievements in second graduation ceremony of Strive and Rise Programme (with photos/video)
The Graduation Ceremony of the Strive and Rise Programme (Second Cohort 2023-24) was held at the Kai Tak Arena today (January 12), where 4 000 graduates of the second cohort not only showcased their learning achievements to representatives from the Government, the business sector and the community but also expressed their gratitude to the mentors who have long been providing care and support for them.
The ceremony was officiated by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun; the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin; the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak; the Director of Social Welfare, Miss Charmaine Lee; and the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, also attended to witness the graduation of the mentees.
Addressing the ceremony, Mr Chan expressed gratitude for the staunch support from different sectors of the community, which has contributed to the successful implementation of the second cohort of the Programme. He said that the second cohort has been a huge success. The number of Mainland study and exchange tours organised has increased to 19, covering not only neighbouring Shenzhen and Zhuhai but also places much farther away, such as Sichuan, Yunnan and Hangzhou, which greatly enhances mentees' understanding of the country's development and achievements in different fields.
Mr Chan also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the mentors for their support and selfless dedication to the Programme, which has helped mentees broaden their horizons, reinforce self-confidence, and develop a positive outlook on life. He said that the Programme enables the mentees to strive for excellence. Some of those who joined the first cohort have already become youth leaders of the Alumni Club. The confidence and ability they displayed in planning and organising activities have fully demonstrated the immense benefits they have gained from the Programme. He encouraged graduates to carry forward the knowledge and skills obtained from the Programme to strive for success and improvement.
The successful implementation of the Programme relies on support from the business sector and the community in response to the Government's appeal for donations and funding, as well as the provision of diverse group activities and the nomination of mentors for mentees. Awards were presented to strategic partners, star mentors, and supporting organisations at the ceremony in recognition of their contributions to the Programme. In addition, more than 150 mentors were awarded at the ceremony for their time and active participation in the Programme and for their selfless care for mentees, enabling them to thrive and grow.
Among the graduates of the second cohort of the Programme, 150 mentees were awarded for their active participation and outstanding improvements. Performances by mentees, including band shows, singing, dancing and sand art, were also featured at the ceremony to showcase their achievements, energy and confidence to the audience.
The Strive and Rise Alumni Club was established last year to provide graduates with diverse social activities and job-tasting opportunities. At the ceremony, two alumni shared what they have gained from the Alumni Club and their job-tasting experiences, and encouraged graduates to actively participate in relevant activities. Videos featuring the feelings and thoughts of mentors and mentees about their participation in the Programme were also shown at the ceremony, during which mentees took the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to their mentors.
The Strive and Rise Programme is formulated and implemented by an interdepartmental task force led by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Through tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, the Programme provides focused support for Secondary One to Secondary Four students from underprivileged families. The soon-to-start third cohort of the Programme will enhance training for mentors and encourage youth leaders from the Alumni Club to organise more activities to foster self‑development, thereby sustaining the spirit of the Programme and maximising its effectiveness.
