The SHKP Reading Club of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP) teamed up with the Patriotic Education Centre to organize the 2024 Read to Dream programme for the first time. The programme has sponsored underprivileged students to buy books at the Hong Kong Book Fair, and would launch a series of aerospace-themed activities in the coming school term to promote reading and enhance young people’s understanding of the country’s achievements in aerospace technology and their sense of identity.  

Officiating the kick-off ceremony of Read to Dream 2024 yesterday were Frederick Yu, District Officer (Sha Tin) of the Home Affairs Department; Allie Yim, Assistant District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong) of the Home Affairs Department; Allen Fung, SHKP Executive Director; Amy Lam, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW); Yetta Li, Patriotic Education Centre Director; and Jenny Koo, Assistant Executive Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. 

In his speech, Mr Fung of SHKP said: “For the past 20 years, the Group has been promoting reading through a variety of programmes. We believe that by creating a supportive environment, we can help young people find their own path through reading. With the exciting advancements in the country’s aerospace technology and the selection of a Hong Kong candidate as a potential astronaut, the SHKP Reading Club is delighted to launch a series of activities tied in with this theme. We hope to inspire young aerospace enthusiasts to pursue their dreams.”

Amy Lam, Vice Chairman of the HKFEW, said: “In his reply to Pui Kiu College last year, President Xi called on students to ‘integrate the pursuit of knowledge with exploration of the world, gain a profound understanding of global developments, and become talented people capable of shouldering important responsibilities from an early age.’ We will continue to nurture students’ creative thinking through reading and look forward to seeing them leverage technology to create products that enhance the quality of life and build a better Hong Kong for the next generation.”

The event also included a seminar on aerospace technology featuring Yetta Li and Leung Wai-kit, Development Director (Training & Curriculum) of the Patriotic Education Centre, who introduced the country’s achievements in aerospace technology. More than 300 students attended and showed keen interest in the topic. 

Since its inception in 2008, the Read to Dream programme has benefitted over 30,000 primary and secondary students. This year, it provided each of the 1,000 underprivileged students from Sha Tin, Yau Tsim Mong and Kwun Tong districts with a $250 allowance to buy books on STEM or Chinese culture at the Hong Kong Book Fair. In the new academic year, the programme will sponsor students to visit the aerospace science education centre, which was set up by the Patriotic Education Centre in early July, to strengthen their sense of belonging to the nation, and their knowledge of the country’s progress in aerospace technology. 

In line with the “aerospace technology” theme, the SHKP Reading Club booth at this year’s book fair was transformed into a “Space Reading Station”.  This interactive space featured articles from the Club’s “Read For More” online platform and resources on aerospace technology, as well as engaging exhibits provided by the Patriotic Education Centre, all designed to ignite young people’s interest in innovation, aerospace, and reading.