Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today officiated at the Kick-off Ceremony of the Strive & Rise Programme and announced the official launch of its first phase.

While delivering his opening remarks during the event, Mr Chan said the programme aims to support junior secondary school students who are in need of societal support for upward social mobility.

He noted that the first phase of the scheme, being a milestone of the tripartite collaboration between the Government, the business sector and the community, has admitted all 2,800 eligible mentees, 40% more than the enrolment target, in a spirit of supporting as many as possible.

Meanwhile, the programme has received support from more than 120 enterprises and organisations in terms of sponsorship, nomination of mentors and planning of group activities for mentees.

The initiative is also underpinned by a number of star tutors who will share their experiences and insights related to their respective professional fields with mentees through group activities.

Mr Chan, accompanied by Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun, also witnessed the oath-taking by mentees, as well as their parents and mentors, to pledge their active participation in the project.

He said he hopes that all mentees will actively participate in the diversified activities under the plan of action and better equip themselves upon their mentors' guidance, so as to set and attain personal goals with a positive attitude.

The programme has received sponsorship in the amount of $140 million thus far. Under its first phase, which lasts for one year, mentees will be paired up with mentors on a 1:1 basis and some 800 group activity sessions will be made available for the mentees' enrolment.