The business sector has two roles to play in education -- as a user and as a supporter, according to Chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, David Eldon, speaking at the annual scholarship and bursary award presentation held at the OUHK on 2 June 1999.

'Improving our education system is not a challenge the Government can or should be expected to tackle alone. Everyone from parents to students to teachers to administrators to businesses must take an active interest. As a user, the business sector relies on a steady supply of educated men and women to meet its goals successfully. As one business leader noted 'Education is to business what fertiliser is to farming'. The second role for the business sector is to be a supporter of education,' he added.

The Open University of Hong Kong is one of the HSBC's beneficiaries. HSBC has funded a number of education-related initiatives including an extensive scheme of scholarships and bursaries through the Hongkong Bank Foundation. Since 1994, the Foundation has provided bursary grants for OUHK students every year -- totalling more than $930,000 to help over 120 students in need.

In spite of the economic recession, the OUHK student assistance scheme supported 183 students with external donations. Of the $2 million in total, $1.3 million was disbursed as bursaries to 125 needy students, representing a 30 per cent rise in the number of recipients over the previous year. Another $700,000 was shared as scholarships by 58 outstanding students. The University has so far received $7 million-plus to help 640 students pay for their tuition and carry on with their study.

Dr Philip Wu, Deputy Council Chairman of the OUHK, pointed out that financial support for OUHK students had been substantially strengthened in 1998Ð99, thanks to the Government's allocation of another $50 million to boost the Student Loan Scheme and the extension of the Non-means Tested Loan Scheme to OUHK students.

Grantham Scholarship winner: Mrs Susan G Anderson

At my age, with so many years having passed since I last studied, it was not easy getting back into the routine of studies and constant reading but I was thrilled to have the opportunity which I had been denied in my early years.

The studies I have undertaken while completing my degree have opened up a whole new way of thinking for me. I began to realize that there were many sides to every issue and that most issues could not be simplified into black-and-white facts. I learned to question, to reason and to think around topics.

The Bank of China Group -- OUHK Scholarship winner: Paul Sit

The distance learning mode of the OUHK provides working adults with the flexibility they badly need in order to balance the competing demands of family, work and studies. This was an important consideration when I decided to enrol in the OLI (the forerunner of the OUHK) six years ago. Of course, attaining a degree was another incentive as this would be beneficial to my career. However, even with the flexibility and all of the support provided by the OUHK, there is no guarantee of success in attaining an academic award. Good planning, self-discipline and persistence are the key to success. In my opinion, it is worth the effort if you can rise to the challenge. Apart from attaining a recognized qualification, you will broaden your horizons through learning, which in itself is rewarding and motivating.

Kowloon Chamber of Commerce Scholarship winner: Gary Chung

My study skill is no secret: time management and hard work. I believe nothing happens by chance. I spend five hours studying on weekdays and ten hours on weekends. I read all the text books and course materials required for the courses. Moreover, I never hesitate to ask my tutors when I have problems with studies.

My wife just gave birth to our first born son. This scholarship not only provides me with financial relief, but also gives me great encouragement in my studies. After graduation, I will apply for jobs which I always dreamed of but did not have the qualifications for. I hope to apply the knowledge and skills I have learned at the University to my work.

Bursary for Students with Disabilities awardee: Cheng King-him

I have been blind since 1992 and cannot study or work as a sighted person. I have been living on an allowance from the Government, but it is not enough for the OUHK course fees. Without the bursary, I definitely would not be able to continue with my studies.