（15 July 2018, Hong Kong）About 400 secondary school students, principals and teachers came together yesterday for a combined graduation and orientation ceremony held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for the Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme. Co-organized by NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or “the Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659) and the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong, the training programme is in its eighth year and has received over 540 applications from students who are enthusiasts in the fields of earth science and geoconservation. A total of 300 students from more than 70 schools have been selected to join this year-long training scheme.
The Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme is a large-scale geological training programme dedicated to senior secondary school students. Over 1,300 participants from 250 schools have received training since the programme’s inception, clocking up more than 40,000 training hours. The year-round training programme balances theoretical and practical components, including geological and thematic theory classes, field trips to the Hong Kong Global Geopark, and stakeholder debate workshops. Participants also have opportunities to put their knowledge into practice in their schools and communities, and the most outstanding teams and their teacher supervisors are sponsored to take part in a cross-border field trip and exchange tour.
“Geological Landforms and Urban Natural Environment” is the theme of this year's training, which closely links to the Geography and Liberal Studies content that forms part of Hong Kong’s secondary education curriculum. The training covers the inter-relationship between environmental protection, economic and social development, with the objectives to deepen participants’ understanding of the topics and actively promote conservation. The organizers also invited Dr. Lam Kin-che, Adjunct Professor at the Department of Geography and Resource Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, to speak at the ceremony. He explained the importance of striking a balance between planning and conservation, and highlighted some of the most interesting features of geological landforms in Hong Kong.
Sheila Tang, Director of Corporate Communications and Sustainability at NWS Holdings, remarked, "NWS Holdings has long been committed to promoting education and youth development. Powered by our corporate resources, we have been providing support to young people through multi-partnership collaboration. Apart from implementing a long-term, focused programme to promote geoconservation, we also offer high school students training in career planning, to further help them unlock their potential."
Patrick Lai, Assistant Director (Country and Marine Parks) Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (“AFCD”), said, “Conservation, education and countryside recreation are some of the core duties carried out by the AFCD. We have been working with the local communities and other relevant stakeholders to promote nature conservation through education and partnership programmes. I am glad to know that the number of trainees for the ‘Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme’ has been growing over the years, and I wish those joining the programme this year will have a rewarding experience.”
“Hong Kong is a buzzing metropolis with a world-famous skyline, but we are also blessed with geodiversity in the countryside and urban areas. Through this year’s thematic training, we hope students to have more in-depth understanding of the processes and landforms in their vicinity. We also hope they will be inspired to consider the balance between geoconservation, economic and social development, so as to build a better, more livable city,” said Cindy Choi, Chairman of the Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong.
A team from Pooi To Middle School in the 2017-18 programme intake won the Gold Award for their diversified and lively on-campus geoconservation promotion activities. In addition, “Young Geo-guide Awards” were presented to 12 students for their outstanding performance in leading guided public tours.
For more information about The Young Ambassadors for Geoconservation Training Programme, please visit http://geo.nws.com.hk or the 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) is the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17). It has diverse businesses and investments predominantly in Hong Kong and Mainland China, comprising toll roads, environmental management, port and logistics facilities, rail container terminals, commercial aircraft leasing, facilities management, healthcare services, construction and public transport. Please visit www.nws.com.hk for details.
The Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong (“AGHK”) is a charitable institution composed of volunteers with a mission to preserve Hong Kong’s landforms and rocks; to promote earth sciences; to promote sustainable geotourism and ecotourism; and to make Hong Kong a better place to live. AGHK organizes seminars, geo-appreciation tours and campaigns, publishes articles and books to promote geoconservation, closely monitors developments and projects that might destroy our invaluable heritage, and cooperates with government and conservation bodies to conserve our rocks and landforms.
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