Israel offers postdoctoral fellowships for HK researchers

The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

The University Grants Committee (UGC), in conjunction with the Consulate-General of Israel in Hong Kong, announced today (October 25) the launch of a fellowship scheme for Hong Kong researchers to conduct post-doctoral research in the State of Israel.

With the generous support of the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council of Higher Education of Israel, fellowships will be given for two Hong Kong outstanding researchers to conduct post-doctoral research in one of the seven research universities in Israel. Each fellowship consists of an all-inclusive sum of US$15,000 per year for up to two years. The scheme will start in 2001-02.

"The fellowship scheme is a milestone in fostering closer collaboration between Hong Kong and Israel in higher education and research. It opens up a new opportunity for Hong Kong researchers to pursue post-doctoral research in top-notch universities in Israel, particularly in the fields of science and technology. It will benefit Hong Kong as we seek to broaden our horizon and strengthen our links with other education systems of the world," said the Secretary-General of the UGC, Mr Peter Cheung.

"Education is of the utmost importance, especially to knowledge-based economies as Hong Kong and Israel. Closer collaboration will benefit both Hong Kong and Israel, and the fellowship scheme hopefully should mark the beginning of a number of other initiatives," said the Chairman of the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council of Higher Education of Israel, Professor Nehemia Levtzion, who is now on an official visit to Hong Kong.

Professor Levtzion, together with the Consul-General of Israel in Hong Kong & Macau, Mr Uri Halfon, took part in a brief ceremony marking the launch of the fellowship scheme held at the UGC Secretariat.

Local researchers interested in the fellowships may contact the UGC for details.

Wednesday, October 25, 2000