Sponsored by China Merchants Foundation to recruit 100 local tertiary and secondary students, the programme aims to nurture future cultural talents and museum professionals in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) announces the launch of the “Hong Kong Palace Museum Student Ambassador Programme” today. Solely sponsored by the China Merchants Foundation, the programme will recruit 100 local tertiary and secondary students and provide them with a series of learning workshops and practical sessions. The programme aims to cultivate the interest in and knowledge of the historical artifacts, as well as the museum industry amongst the younger generation, echoing HKPM’s vision in nurturing arts and cultural talents and museum professionals in Hong Kong. Phase 1 of the programme is now opened to tertiary students for application.

Since its opening in July 2022, the HKPM has launched a number of youth learning programmes to promote Chinese culture and foster the development of local cultural industries, echoing the National 14th Five-Year Plan in transforming Hong Kong into an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. Designed from the youths’ perspectives, the “Hong Kong Palace Museum Student Ambassador Programme” offers a series of creative learning activities including lectures about Palace Museum culture, artmaking and conservation workshops, docent training, and visits to the HKPM. Students will have the opportunity to study up close the treasures on view at the HKPM and investigate their historical and cultural significance. What’s more, they will be able to apply what they have learnt through serving as the Museum’s docents.

Dr Louis NG Chi-wa, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Palace Museum, said, “The youth is the driving force of our future, and so is art and cultural development in Hong Kong. The ‘Hong Kong Palace Museum Student Ambassador Programme’ aims to empower youth to demonstrate their creativity and experience Chinese culture in a holistic way, and to provide them with a platform to share their historical and cultural inspirations with the public, testifying to the HKPM’s mission in fostering cultural exchanges and promoting the transmission of Chinese culture to future generations. We are grateful for China Merchants Foundation’s generous support for the HKPM in promoting cultural heritage and nurturing future museum talents.”

Junli Zhang, Executive Director of China Merchants Foundation, said: “China Merchants has been developing businesses in Hong Kong since 1873. Over the past one-and-a-half centuries, the company has adhered to its corporate mission – ‘to lead the times with business success’, contributing to the strength, prosperity and well-being of Hong Kong. In 2010, we established China Merchants Foundation as the philanthropic arm of the company. Through empowering individuals, investing in leadership and addressing fundamental inequity, we have joined hands with different sectors of society that are dedicated to creating a better future for the younger generation. In 2021, CMF officially launched the 'China Merchants C ME FLY Hong Kong Youth Sponsorship Programme', which encourages the younger generation to enhance their teamwork, social services and leadership skills. We are grateful to be a part of the 'Hong Kong Palace Museum Student Ambassador Programme', leveraging the vast learning resources of the HKPM as a platform to enable young people to understand the excellence of traditional Chinese culture and to promote dialogue among world civilisations. This will further broaden their horizons, strengthen their qualities and boost their self-confidence."

Participants will be recruited in two phases for the eight-month programme. Phase 1 welcomes applications from tertiary students from now until 18 December 2022, while Phase 2 will be open to secondary students. 30 tertiary students and 70 secondary students in total will be selected. Applicants who have successfully submitted their applications may be invited to attend group interviews by email or by phone. Results will be announced in the first quarter of 2023. Upon completion of the programme, students will be officially recognised as “Hong Kong Palace Museum Student Ambassador”, introducing treasures to the public from the youth perspective and will enjoy privileges such as participating in the HKPM’s educational activities and behind-the-scene events. Outstanding students will be given a one-year HKPM Friends – Youth membership, with unlimited free admission to all thematic exhibitions.

“Hong Kong Palace Museum Student Ambassador Programme” recruitment details are as follows:
 

For more information about the programme, please attend the online briefing sessions on 28 November and 5 December or email [email protected].

Remarks

About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to become a leading cultural institution committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture, while advancing dialogue among world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum, which is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment.

Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum offers a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong, the Museum will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
www.hkpm.org.hk/

About the West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on 40 hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.
http://www.westkowloon.hk/

About China Merchants Foundation
In September 2021, the China Merchant Foundation officially announced the "China Merchants C ME FLY Hong Kong Youth Sponsorship Programme”. Joining hands with professionals from all walks of life, the six-element programme provides youths on opportunities such as fruitful learning experiences, career exploration and social participation to enhance their skills on innovation design thinking, teamwork, resilience, and leadership, paving their way to becoming capable, competent, and responsible members of society.

General skills are vital to day-to-day life and development of individuals. The China Merchants Foundation is committed to providing a ladder for motivated individuals to thrive. The name of the program, "C ME FLY", is derived from the initials of China Merchants Foundation (“CMF”) which is pronounced as See Me Fly. The programme hopes will be able to realize Hong Kong youths’ dreams and aspirations through the support services provided. The six letters of C ME FLY represent the six core elements of the programme, namely Care, Motivate, Explore, Fearless, Love and Youthful.