Press Releases

HKBU establishes Hong Kong’s first fellowship scheme for working journalists

Supported by the Dorothy Shen Wong Memorial Fund, the School of Communication and Film of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has announced the establishment of the HKBU Professional Journalism Fellowship (PJF@HKBU). As the first-of-its-kind in Hong Kong, PJF@HKBU aims to raise the standards of journalism by allowing practising journalists to take a break from work to enrich their knowledge through studying at HKBU. The programme also seeks to enhance local journalism education by fostering connections between the School and the media industry.

Applicants will be screened by the PJF@HKBU selection committee comprising scholars of the School and external members including representative(s) of the news industry. The selected fellows will have the privilege of studying full-time at HKBU for one or two semesters, and they can attend any courses at the undergraduate or postgraduate level as auditors with the prior approval of course instructors. During this period, they can participate in activities organised by the School, and access HKBU’s on-campus learning resources and amenities including the library and sports facilities. The fellows will each be granted a stipend commensurate with their respective incomes and levels of journalistic experience.

Professor Huang Yu, Dean of the School of Communication and Film, said: “Similar fellowship schemes have been implemented overseas for a long time, allowing working journalists to take a sabbatical. PJF@HKBU will make a contribution to the sustainable development of the news industry in Hong Kong by providing talented journalists with an opportunity to enrich themselves without having to leave their jobs.”

PJF@HKBU is now welcoming applications from full-time journalists who are employed by established Hong Kong-based news organisations and have at least seven years of journalistic experience. Writers, columnists and producers who regularly contribute to these news organisations are also eligible to apply. Applicants must be nominated by the management of their corresponding news organisations.

Upon the completion of their studies, the fellows are expected to share what they have learned through PJF@HKBU with their respective employers, colleagues and other media counterparts. They are also expected to work with or keep contributing to their original news organisations for at least 12 months or 24 months, depending on the duration of their fellowship.

PJF@HKBU application deadline is 12 April 2022. More details are available on the website http://jour.hkbu.edu.hk/pjf-jour/

PJF@HKBU is one of the strategic initiatives launched under the Dorothy Shen Wong Memorial Fund. The HKBU School of Communication and Film received a HK$50 million donation in 2020, the biggest single gift it has ever received, from veteran journalist Professor Raymond R Wong in support of the School’s strategic development and journalism education. The donation led to the establishment of the Dorothy Shen Wong Memorial Fund in loving memory of Professor Wong’s late wife.

	Through the Dorothy Shen Wong Memorial Fund, Professor Ray Wong launches the HKBU Professional Journalism Fellowship which is the first-of-its-kind in Hong Kong. The Fund was established in loving memory of Professor Wong’s late wife.

	PJF@HKBU provides talented journalists with an opportunity to enrich themselves without having to leave their jobs.

Media enquiries:
Wong Suk-ling of the Communication and Public Relations Office (3411 2119, hkbunews@hkbu.edu.hk).