Science and Culture Courses for Youth

Promote Career and Economic Development in the Greater Bay Area

The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and Tencent have brought The Master Classes for Youth to Hong Kong and Macao. An exchange session and launch ceremony were held on September 14 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Through the Face-to-Face with Masters and Quality Science Education on Campus series of activities, the program aims to enhance the understanding of cutting-edge technology as well as traditional culture among youth in Hong Kong and Macao. In this way, multi-dimensional exchange promotes multiple levels of development in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The Master Classes for Youth is an initiative launched by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and Tencent to expand the minds of young people. Since its debut two years ago in the Chinese mainland, more than 80 experts and celebrities across science and culture have shared insights and experiences on high tech and cultural history. So far, 139 episodes have run, with hundreds of millions of views on different channels.

At the launch ceremony, Madam Shen Beili, Vice Chairperson of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, said that “‘The Master Classes for Youth’ (Hong Kong) is to introduce the charm of Chinese traditional culture, the development of cutting-edge technology, and the spirit of sports to the Hong Kong public, especially the youth. We expect the event to inspire and empower young people with culture, sportsmanship and knowledge.”

Leon Guo, Senior Vice President of Tencent Group, said that the hope of innovation and conserving traditions for the future lies with the younger generations. Tencent, in cooperation with China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, has brought The Master Classes for Youth, popular science book Becoming a Scientist (《成為科學家》), and AI & Programming Lesson 1 to youth in Hong Kong and Macao, hoping to leverage the power of technology to promote exchange and co-development among youth in the GBA.

Esteemed Experts and High-Quality Science Education Support Youth Development in Hong Kong and Macao

The step into Hong Kong and Macao exchange session invited experts in different fields of science and culture, including Director of National Art Museum of China Wu Weishan, astrophysicist and academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences Wu Xiangping, Women’s World Chess Champion Xie Jun, and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Chinese University of Hong Kong Lu Yuming. These professionals had face-to-face interactions with nearly 400 Hong Kong youth at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, aiming to broaden their horizons.

Quality science education materials jointly developed by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and Tencent, including The Master Classes for Youth and AI & Programming Lesson 1, will be brought to Hong Kong. A traditional Chinese version of AI & Programming Lesson 1, along with relevant training for Hong Kong teachers, will also be launched in October to help teachers master the materials and equip them with comprehensive AI and programming skills and literacy.

In addition, Tencent has released the traditional Chinese version of the popular science book Becoming a Scientist for youth in Hong Kong and Macao. It profiles 10 well-known scientists at home and abroad, such as Tu Youyou, Zhong Nanshan, and Lisa Randall, aiming to encourage more young people to make a life for themselves in science.

Tencent has been focusing on talent exchange, integration, and growth and development in the GBA, and continuously helping to build a bridge for communication in the area. Going forward, it strives to provide more high-quality study experiences for youth in the Greater Bay Area in promoting exchange and growth among youth in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, and to cultivate more career opportunities for youth who will continue expanding the GBA.