Jackie Chan Scholarships for Film Announced

Some months ago applications were requested for the Jackie Chan Scholarship for Film Studies at the University of Kent, today the first recipients of this scholarship were announced.

First Jackie Chan Scholarships for Film studies announced

Two Hong Kong graduates are the first recipients of Jackie Chan Scholarships at the University - enabling them to study for a master's degree in Film.

Lucia Yuen and Man Man Wong, who began their degrees at the University's Canterbury campus last month (September), are the first studying outside Hong Kong to receive Scholarships from the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. The scholarships are worth £15,000 over one year towards tuition fees and accommodation.

Lucia said: 'I feel very lucky to have received the Jackie Chan Scholarship this year. The scholarship has enabled me to come to Kent and provides me with an opportunity to receive a proper academic training in film.

'As a film art teacher and scriptwriter who graduated from film school over eight years ago, it wasn't easy for me to go back to studying full time, especially overseas. However, with Jackie Chan's generosity in support of my education, everything has become possible.'

Man Man said: 'Studying abroad was always my dream but funding this was a big problem. Receiving the scholarship relieved my family of the financial burden and gave me a chance to pursue my studies at the University of Kent.

'The Film department at Kent brings together many students who have specialized in film studies before, which provides a great opportunity for me to learn by shared experiences.'

Sir David Akers-Jones, Chairman of the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation and former Chief Secretary and Acting Governor of Hong Kong, said: 'We are delighted to be able to make the first award of this scholarship to these two very talented graduates. I am sure they will both make the most of this great opportunity to study at one of the UK's most exciting Film departments.'

Dr Jonathan Friday, Head of the School of Arts, said: 'I am very pleased to welcome Lucia and Man Man to the School. Our Film department is rightly regarded as one of the very best in the UK and I'm sure they will both find the master's course provides them with the skills needed to take their careers forward.'

The launch of the postgraduate scholarships represents one of a number of exciting initiatives which the University has developed in Hong Kong and China over the past two years. Many of these developments are focussed on the University's Hong Kong and China Portal, which raises funds to support scholarships for students from the region, student exchanges and joint research activities between Kent and its university partners in Hong Kong and China.

SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF KENT PRESS RELEASE