(21 July 2012, Hong Kong) In celebrating the fifth anniversary of NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike, NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or the “Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659) and the co-organizer, the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (“AGHK”), scale up the Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme to enable more senior secondary school students in Hong Kong to acquire geoconservation knowledge and broaden their horizons. Outstanding students will be sponsored to a learning and exchange tour to Danxiashan Global Geopark in Guangdong Province. While reflecting the organizers’ commitment to advancing geoconservation, the training scheme aligns with the requirements of “Other Learning Experiences” under the New Senior Secondary Curriculum.
As the first corporation in Hong Kong hosting large-scale geoconservation campaign, the Group has organized a variety of public engagement activities with a view to promoting geoconservation. Amid increasing public support for geoconservation, the organizers launched the first of its kind Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme in 2011 to target at young generation. A total of 40 Form four or above students were shortlisted to receive both theoretical and practical field training instructed by geo-experts, and subsequently assisted in public guided tours. The Award Presentation Ceremony for the Young Ambassadors last year was held today at the Discovery Park Shopping Centre in Tsuen Wan.
Tommy Cheung, Executive Director and Member of Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of NWS Holdings, said “As a key initiative under the NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike, the Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme enables students to learn and grow through interactive ‘Geo Classes’ and giving back to society. This programme underscores the commitment of NWS Holdings and our community partners to investing in and supporting environmental conservation and social integration.”
Dr Young Ng, Chairman of AGHK, said, “NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike demonstrates a close partnership between the government, business community and NGO in driving public engagement and geoconservation activities such as the Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Programme, creativity contests and many more, bringing Hong Kong Global Geopark of China closer to our daily life and raising public awareness of geoconservation.”
All Form four and five secondary school students are eligible to join this year’s training programme, which accepts a maximum of 180 participants. Shortlisted participants will first undergo a series of theoretical and practical field training about geology and geoconservation for over 20 hours. In the following phase, the Young Ambassadors will take a hand in campus promotions and public guided tours, where they can practise their acquired knowledge and geoappreciation techniques as well as polish their communications and leadership skills. Distinctive ambassadors along with their advisory teachers will be invited to Danxiashan Global Geopark in Guangdong Province for a field study and an exchange with their counterparts in Mainland China. Interested students can apply directly with the organizers or through school. Application deadline is 31 July 2012.
At today’s ceremony, awards were presented to ambassadors who demonstrated outstanding performance last year. The gold, silver and bronze awardees are Charles Chui from Ying Wah College, Holly Chan from Helen Liang Memorial Secondary School (Shatin) and Karen Leung from Cumberland Presbyterian Church Yao Dao Secondary School.
NWS Holdings and AGHK today also appointed a young celebrity, Det Dik, as the Ambassador for the 5 th NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike. A promotional video featuring Dik and some of the Young Ambassadors from last year was previewed at the ceremony as kick off for the campaign this year. The video will subsequently be broadcasted on Citybus, New World First Bus and New World First Ferry.
The NWS Hong Kong Geo Wonders Hike has been a joint effort between NWS Holdings and AGHK since 2008. Aimed at encouraging geoconservation, the campaign supported by various community partners over the years has attracted over 20,000 participants in a wide range of activities. The supporting organizations for this year include Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, The Department of Geography and Resource Management of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Rotary Club of Tolo Harbour, Citybus, New World First Bus, New World First Ferry, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hip Hing Construction Co. Ltd. and Vibro (H.K.) Limited.
For more information, please visit the website http://geo.nws.com.hk or Facebook page www.facebook.com/geo.nws.hk.
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This press release is also available on the Group’s website ( www.nws.com.hk).
NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings”, Hong Kong stock code: 659), the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17), embraces businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. Its Infrastructure portfolio includes Roads, Energy, Water and Ports & Logistics projects. Its Services division comprises Facilities Management (the management of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Free Duty), Construction & Transport (Hip Hing Construction and bus and ferry services) and Strategic Investments (Newton Resources, Tricor, Haitong and securities investments).
Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (“AGHK”) is a charitable institution composed of volunteers with mission to preserve Hong Kong’s landforms and rocks; to disseminate earth sciences; to promote sustainable geotourism and ecotourism and to make Hong Kong a better place to live in. AGHK organizes seminars, geoappreciation tours and campaigns, publishes articles and books to promote geoconservation; closely monitors developments and projects which might destroy our invaluable heritage and cooperates with government and conservation bodies to conserve our rocks and landforms.
For further information, please contact:
NWS Holdings Limited
