EdUHK Awards Scholarships and Certificates to Athletes of the 15th National Games and
Appoints Head Coach of Hong Kong, China Cycling Team Mr Hervé Dagorné as Adjunct Professor (Practice)
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held a commendation ceremony today (26 February) to honour all student athletes and alumni who participated in the 15th National Games. At the event, the University presented the Elite Athlete Scholarship and certificates of achievement to recognise their outstanding performances on the national stage. EdUHK also announced the appointment of Mr Hervé Dagorné, Hong Kong Sports Institute Head Cycling Coach, also Head Coach of Hong Kong, China Cycling Team as Adjunct Professor (Practice) at the Academic for Educational Development and Innovation, further strengthening collaboration between academia and the sports sector.
More than 40 EdUHK student-athletes and alumni competed in the Games, achieving remarkable success by reaping gold medals in five events. Among the winners were Wang Luiyi and Wang Qianyi—both pursuing a Doctor of Education (Chinese) —who clinched gold in the Artistic Swimming Duet. Cado Lee Ka-to, a student in the Master of Social Sciences in Sports Coaching and Management programme, made history with his teammates from the Hong Kong sevens rugby team by winning Hong Kong’s first gold medal in the event at Kai Tak Sports Park. In cycling, Lee Sze-wing and Leung Wing-yee, both students in the Bachelor of Health Education (Honours) programme, partnered to win gold in the Madison Track Cycling. Lee went on to secure two additional golds in the Omnium Track Cycling and Individual Road Cycling, earning a total of three gold medals and setting a record for the Hong Kong Cycling Team at a single Games.
Around 100 guests attended the ceremony, including EdUHK Council Chairman Dr David Wong Yau-kar, Deputy Council Chairman Professor Terence Chan Ho-wah, Treasurer Ms Imma Ling Kit-sum, President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, other Council members, university management, staff and students from EdUHK.
In his remarks, Council Chairman Dr David Wong Yau-kar congratulated the athletes, “The focus, team spirit, and sportsmanship you have demonstrated on the field are not just a source of pride for EdUHK, but also a reflection of the University’s educational philosophy — valuing professionalism, encouraging innovation, and striving for excellence. Your achievements are more than personal glory; they exemplify the fruits of EdUHK’s commitment to holistic education, enabling students to grow in knowledge, character, and physical strength, and to become a new generation endowed with both wisdom and perseverance,” he said.
15 athletes, from volleyball, rowing, handball, martial arts and canoeing attended the ceremony, including gold medalists Lee Sze-wing, Leung Wing-yee, Cado Lee Ka-to and Wang Liuyi , shared their competition experiences and the challenges of rigorous training.
During the sharing session, Lee Sze-wing and Leung Wing-yee reflected on setbacks in past major competitions, with Leung even contemplating retirement at one point. Through relentless effort and the support of their coaches and teammates, they ultimately reached the pinnacle of success at the 15th National Games. Cado Lee Ka-to, a veteran of the Hong Kong sevens rugby team, shared how teamwork and leveraging individual strengths enabled them to overcome an early deficit and score decisive tries. Other athletes also spoke about balancing academics and sports, expressing gratitude to EdUHK for its support in managing their dual careers.
President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin praised the athletes’ performances, remarking, “Their stories remind us that behind every victory lies not only individual effort, but also the support of teammates, guidance of coaches, encouragement of families, and care from the EdUHK and wider community. Whether or not you received a medal, the fighting spirit and grace you displayed on the field are a source of pride for yourselves, your families, your coaches, EdUHK, and indeed all of Hong Kong SAR.”
He further expressed his gratitude to Mr Hervé Dagorné for accepting the appointment as Adjunct Professor of Practice, noting that his expertise will provide students with valuable international insights and professional guidance.
EdUHK has long been committed to supporting the dual-track career development of elite athletes, enabling them to pursue sporting success alongside their studies. Since 2010, the University has admitted over 180 student athletes into various programmes. To further support athletes, EdUHK introduced the “Nomination Scheme for Elite Athletes” (NSEA), in alignment with the “Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme” (SALSA) launched by the University Grants Committee (UGC) in the 2022/23 academic year. These initiatives provide special admission arrangements, flexible study options, and dedicated counselling, ensuring athletes to focus on training and competitions without academic concern.
As a forerunner in building an elite athlete-friendly environment and the first UGC-funded institution to sign a collaborative agreement with the Hong Kong Sports Institute, EdUHK has consistently strengthened its collaboration with the sports sector. Through the establishment of the“Scholarship for Elite Athletes” and the “EdUHK’s Tuition Scholarship for Elite Athletes”, the University continues to recognise and support athletes for their exceptional achievements in both academic and sporting domains.
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