Play Hard, Study Hard
At HKUST we bring together young people of many different talents, including those with exceptional athletic abilities.
It starts with our Student Athletes Admissions Scheme (SAAS), which we launched in 2019 to help Hong Kong athletes pursue their dreams. In addition to its more flexible admission policy, SAAS provides assistance, scholarships, extensions of study periods, study load adjustments, examination rescheduling and class attendance waivers top local athletes. We have also recruited more tutors to provide individualized academic support.
The financial assistance we offer includes annual tuition scholarships and living allowances of up to HK$42,100 and HK$55,000 respectively, as well as sponsorships for sports competitions, injury prevention, treatment training and counseling services. In the current academic year, there are around 15 elite athletes studying at HKUST.
Sisters in sport
Minnie SOO and her elder sister Queenie SOO are both devoted to the sport of table tennis and are examples of how HKUST recognizes athletic achievement.
Minnie brought glory to Hong Kong at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games by taking home a bronze medal for the Table Tennis Women’s Team. The daughter of a former Hong Kong table tennis team member, Soo Chun-wah, she started training at the age of five and left secondary school early to become a full-time athlete.
Minnie applied to the School of Science at HKUST and became the first student to be admitted based on her sports performance. She looks forward to taking courses in engineering and physical science while keeping a rigorous training program.
Bronze medal winner of the Table Tennis Women’s Team Competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
“I chose to become a full-time athlete at an age when I should be studying at school, because there is a golden period for every athlete, and I wanted to unleash my full potential. It has been a wonderful and rewarding journey, and now I will dedicate passion to the second chapter of my life at HKUST.”
Professionalizing athletics
A former member of the Hong Kong China Table Tennis Junior Team and a graduate of HKUST School of Business and Management, Queenie is the Director of Sooper Star Management Limited, a local sports agency providing sponsorships and marketing opportunities for local athletes.
Queenie considers the four years at HKUST and her experiences with HKUST Sports Association, case analysis team had helped her find her career path.
In addition to having her sister as a client, Queenie works with other athletes such as WONG Wan Chun (distance running HK record holder), CHEUNG Siu Lun Shawn (Fencing Olympian), CHAN Chung Wan (Hurdles Olympian) and TAM Hoi Lam (Swimming Olympian). She coordinates event attendance and brand promotional activities for her clients.
By the end of 2021, she represented more than 20 athletes and hopes to bring in more local athletes. She wishes to bring her clients sponsorships to support their athletic career. Her ultimate goal, however, is to raise the profile of local athletes who may not be members of an Olympic team and help them realize their aspirations.
At HKUST, we support our students to achieve their potential and succeed.
Class of 2019
“As an athlete of two Hong Kong China Sports Teams, I was fortunate to be given all the opportunities and resources I needed. Yet, I understand a lot of people out there have the passion and potential but are lacking a platform. Now, taking a step backward, I organize competitions, training and fun days via various channels, aiming to create a stage for all to enjoy and perform.”