Sing Tao News Corporation’s “Praise Quest”student recognition award scheme gathered over 1,000 student ambassadors, principals, teachers and guests on January 31 at the Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School in Hong Kong, where participants simultaneously wrote the Chinese character “fuk,” which means fortune, to set a world record promoting a culture of praise.
The event was officiated by Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, and Sing Tao News Corporation chairman Karson Choi Ka-tsan.
The three secretaries joined students and principals in writing the character, while many participants decorated their red paper with zodiac patterns and festive motifs.
World Record Association senior certification engineer Michael Vincent Heister witnessed the simultaneous calligraphy and confirmed the achievement, certifying the 1,142 participants as record holders.
In his speech, Choi praised the students for demonstrating that excellence is not only reflected in academic performance but also in kindness and helpfulness in daily life.
“The original intention of the Praise Quest program has never been to find flawless role models, but to promote a culture of praise, to learn to see the good in others, to appreciate differences, and to make praise a habit that spreads positive energy in schools and communities,” he said.
Crystal Fung Ying-ying, serving as emcee, shared her own experience of balancing a career in entertainment with postgraduate studies. She said genuine praise is more than recognition of effort; it is a powerful force that motivates perseverance in the face of challenges.
Over the past year, Praise ambassadors have actively engaged in community service, with Sing Tao News Corporation partnering with district care teams to organize outreach activities.
Chan Shuk-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Aided Primary School Heads Association, said the program helps students rethink gratitude and fosters a positive social atmosphere. Justin Chan Shui-leung, chairman of the Hong Kong Primary Education Research Association, added that cultivating praise from a young age builds harmonious relationships and healthy perspectives.
Handwritten fuk characters will be turned into festive banners and distributed with The Standard’s sister publication Headline Daily before the Chinese New Year, as well as sent to 300 participating schools and communities across Hong Kong.
Students also received specially designed seed cards that can grow into sunflowers, encouraging them to reflect on the connection between life and the environment, and to nurture awareness of sustainability.
A total of 300 primary schools participated in the Praise Quest — the Most Commendable Student Reward Program.
The 600 student ambassadors of the Praise Quest program each receive a HK$400 book voucher sponsored by Henderson Land Group, along with a badge as encouragement.
Instilling proper values in students, guiding them to think critically, and nurturing a spirit of gratitude are essential, Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin emphasized at the event.
She said the Education Bureau has in recent years encouraged schools to organize diverse learning activities, adding that the praise ambassadors are sowers of a gratitude culture. She praised their good conduct and selfless dedication, and urged students not to overlook small acts of kindness.
Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen also addressed the gathering, stressing the government’s commitment to youth development.
Mak highlighted Sing Tao’s long-standing role as a trusted media organization, recalling her own experience as a beneficiary of a writing competition organized by The Standard.
She commended the “Praise Quest” initiative for recognizing good deeds and spreading positive energy across the city, noting its expansion into communities through partnerships with Care Teams to support those in need.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui added that the initiative honors unsung heroes across industries, pointing out that last year it recognized tourism workers whose quality service is vital to Hong Kong’s image as a premier travel destination.
She further emphasized the cultural significance of calligraphy, inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2009, and encouraged students to visit the Hong Kong Museum of Art, which has welcomed over five million visitors since its renovation in 2019 and houses extensive collections of Chinese paintings.
The achievement of setting a world record was hailed as the result of enthusiastic participation by teachers and students, with principals noting that the event was not only an honor but also a meaningful practice of positive education on campus.
HKBUAS Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School has been part of the “Praise Quest” initiative since 2024, actively promoting a culture of appreciation within its campus.
Chief principal Benjamin Chan Wai-kai highlighted that relationships among teachers, students, and parents have since grown more harmonious, showing the deep impact of praise on student development. He welcomed the united effort of schools across the city in setting the record, which he said demonstrated teamwork in education and strengthened connections between individuals and institutions.
Chui Ka-cheung, principal of Aldrich Bay Government Primary School, observed that students who are often overlooked became more proactive and willing to share their stories after receiving recognition.
Mak, a Primary Six student from Yaumati Catholic Primary School, said that praising others helps uncover their strengths and affirms oneself. Chow, a Primary Six student from HKBUAS Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School, added that sincerely commending classmates with better results not only
encourages them but also inspires greater seriousness and positivity in their future assessments.
