Outstanding Hong Kong senior secondary school students will have more opportunities to enroll in courses in the Chinese mainland in the coming years, to learn about the Chinese motherland's latest developments and boost their national identity.

Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower Fanny Law made the announcement at a presentation ceremony on Thursday.

Law received a 13-million-HK-dollar (US$1.66 million) donation as part of the Jockey Club Award Scheme for Student Leaders of Hong Kong: National Education Course.

The scheme enables six secondary student leaders to partake in the Chinese mainland study trips to help them broaden their horizons and be well equipped for future developments in Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and the world.

With 170 students to be selected for each of the three national education courses annually, the three-year scheme will see as many as 1,500 participants.

The first course will be held at the People's University of China in Beijing, from Dec. 17 to 26. It will include lectures and seminars on the Chinese mainland's latest achievements in economics, politics, science and technology and education, along with visits and sharing sessions.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2004)