Projects funded by the Hong Kong Foundation
Geoffrey Ma Scholarships
Established in 2021, the Geoffrey Ma Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught scholarships stand as a testament to the University of Birmingham’s enduring commitment to Hong Kong. Funded by the Hong Kong Foundation, these merit-based scholarships are designed to support outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate students from the region.
The programme has supported 21 Geoffrey Ma Scholars, a cohort defined by their academic brilliance and leadership potential. The scholarships have helped engage secondary schools across Hong Kong and have been central to recruitment, demonstrating a strong preference among local students to choose Birmingham, and the presence of these scholars on campus enriches the academic environment creating a living bridge between the UK and Hong Kong.
The 2024 Hong Kong Global Futures Programme
The Global Futures Programme is a flagship initiative delivered in partnership between the University of Birmingham, the University of Hong Kong and Common Purpose. It is designed to take students - particularly those from under-represented backgrounds -out of their comfort zones and immerse them in a new cultural context where students build resilience, develop leadership skills and engage with diverse perspectives to prepare for the complexities of the global workplace.
Since 2023, the Foundation has enabled 85 students to take part in this enriching experience. The feedbacks peaks volumes about its success: 99% of participants stated they would recommend the programme to a friend, and 85% reported feeling greater confidence in their leadership abilities.
The programme also helps in bridging the gap between current students and our established alumni community. Participants have the unique opportunity to meet with Hong Kong-based graduates, gaining invaluable mentorship and first-hand insights into building international careers. This intergenerational exchange has proven to be a highlight for our students, inspiring them to envision their own professional futures on a global stage.
Paving the way for a sustainable future
Professor Yulong Ding, Founding Chamberlain Chair of Chemical Engineering, in collaborationwith The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), is working to find new, cleaner methods to transport temperature-sensitive goods essential to food and pharmaceutical security.
Support from the Hong Kong Foundation has enabled a concept design for the project to move to a fully functioning prototype integrating Composite PhaseChange Material (cPCM) for cold storage with Thermochemical (TCM) technology for passive refrigeration.
The system not only reduces emissions but also offers grid-friendly charging options, aligning perfectly with Hong Kong’s decarbonisation goals. The team is now engaging with operators, manufacturers and policymakers to move fromtest rigs to practical fleet trials.
Mapping Microplastics and Types in Hong Kong Rivers and the Pearl River Delta
Led by Professor Iseult Lynch, Professor of Environmental Nanosciences and Professor Stefan Krause, Professor of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry.
In collaboration with the University of Hong Kong, this project aims to sample microplastics gathered from the six major rivers of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (a major sources of plastic pollution worldwide). This will be the most comprehensive mapping ever undertaken, with data then used to model the environmental impact and how it can be averted.