The Hongkong Bank Foundation nurtures next generation at different stages of their growth journeys
Through various programmes, scholarships and mentorships, HSBC and its volunteers provide support that enables local young people to thrive
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HSBC nurtures next generation at different stages of their growth
Young people are our future, and it is a responsibility of society to nurture and support the next generation at different stages of their lives.
Through The Hongkong Bank Foundation, HSBC offers a range of initiatives, supported by volunteers from the bank, that are aimed at empowering young people by helping equip them with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to reach their full potential.
Instilling empathy and a sense of mission
The teenage years are an important life stage – a time that shapes one’s world view, values and dreams. Anson Yung, like other 15-year-old students, is still finding his way. Besides facing academic pressure, Yung also struggles to navigate a path where his dreams might take him in the future.
He became more confident about his ambitions and talents after joining the Hong Kong government-led Strive and Rise Programme, which helps students in Form One to Four who are from underprivileged families broaden their horizons and create a brighter future.
He was paired with an HSBC volunteer, Cyrus Chu, who is a senior wealth planning consultant at the bank. “My mentor is very passionate. He often invites me to participate in various activities and genuinely wants to help shape my future,” Yung explains. “He is like a brother to me.”
The teen says that Chu not only offered to help with his studies – especially in mathematics, a subject he struggles with – but his mentor also encouraged him to take part in different charitable activities to contribute to the community.
The programme and interactions with Chu enabled Yung to find more clarity about what he wants to do with his life. “I hope to be a secondary school teacher, teaching Chinese history. I want to be an interesting teacher who makes history engaging for the students,” he says.
As he looks to the future, Yung acknowledges the significance of the support he has received. “The confidence I gained from this programme is something that will stay with me. I’ve had many opportunities to discover and meet new people,” he says. “[Chu] may not be my mentor any more after the programme, but he is going to be my friend.”
Celebrating young people’s unique gifts
Every young person is different, with unique talents and gifts they can offer to the world.
Nineteen-year-old Yeung Man-ching, who has Down’s syndrome, swims competitively and has a penchant for creative activities such as drawing and dancing.
Through the HSBC GameChanger programme – driven by volunteers from the bank and supported by 11 non-governmental organisations and business partners – Yeung was paired with an HSBC volunteer, Alice Tse, who inspired the young woman to explore her passions and start building her future.
The initiative offered workshops and job-sampling experiences in different sectors, empowering young people with special educational needs to pursue their dreams.
During the programme, Tse encouraged Yeung to participate in various activities, including handicraft making, that would help her build confidence and skills. One of them was a day of creating handprints and bracelets that also offered Yeung the opportunity to make new friends and broaden her horizons.
Feeling more assertive, Yeung now joins dance competitions on a regular basis and, with the support network she has built, is looking forward to a future where she can continue to flourish.
Supporting young people pursuing their ambitions
Academic excellence opens up a world of opportunity – that is something 21-year-old Afrah Bathiudeen strongly believes in. The senior-year student at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is studying global business and finance.
She was awarded both local and overseas scholarships from HSBC’s scholarship programmes, which allowed her to take a semester abroad in the US at the Wharton School, the business school of the University of Pennsylvania. “These scholarships are like ‘wings’ that enable students to fly and see the world,” she says.
In addition to learning about American culture, Bathiudeen also had the opportunity to make friends with other foreign students during her time overseas. The experience has not only made her more international, but it also boosted her self-confidence and affirmed her ambitions.
“These scholarships give students the confidence and the affirmation that students do have a shot at changing the world. It’s given me the confidence to realise that I can really achieve anything I set my mind to,” she says.
When it comes to her career goals, Bathiudeen hopes to work her way up to a leadership role where she can contribute to Hong Kong’s economy and also mentor the next generation.
“I already take on a couple of volunteer mentorship roles in university,” she says. “Mentorship is one of the most important functions for society, to inspire a better generation. That’s one of the main ways I would attempt to change the world.”
Facilitating young adults’ transition to the working world
Giving young people a good head start in their working life can make a world of difference to their future. At age 23, Taiwanese-born Stanley Hung is working as a graduate analyst at HSBC. “The reason why I chose to join HSBC is because of how globalised this organisation is,” he says.
Hung adds that the bank played a role throughout his pursuit of a double major in business and finance at HKUST. During his sophomore year, he had an internship at the bank, and also formed a team to join the HSBC/HKU Asia Pacific Business Case Competition 2024, winning with a solution to help a local social enterprise retain talent for its business.
Curiously, Hung believes his passion for writing music is what helped him excel in the competition. He says songwriting and problem-solving for business both call for combining a structured approach with creativity, which is why he drew from his musical background during the competition.
Aside from the win, Hung most valued the experience of taking part in what has been described as the world’s largest business case competition for undergraduate students. “The Hongkong Bank Foundation has empowered me in terms of transitioning me from university life to a workplace setting,” Hung says.
“It’s very eye-opening to see how different people approach problems,” he adds. “I’ve made friends with other participants from different universities and all around the world. I also built relationships with managers in HSBC across different departments, to get to know more about what they do and to get advice from them.”
These personal stories underscore HSBC’s commitment to community partnerships and programmes that not only recognise the unique strengths within young people, but also inspire them to maximise their potential.
Through the initiatives offered by The Hongkong Bank Foundation, young people in their formative years are being empowered to pursue their passions and achieve their dreams.