Future leaders redefine “Intelligence” at the 8th Annual HKBU CIE English Public Speaking Contest

College of International Education (CIE), Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), hosted its eighth annual English Public Speaking Contest. Led and organised by the Division of Arts and Languages, the contest showcases the exceptional talent, critical thinking, and eloquence of secondary school students across Hong Kong. This year, the Grand Final featured a competitive group of 12 finalists, selected from a pool of 130 participants representing 70 local secondary schools. After delivering an insightful and captivating performance, Ms. Wong Sum Yau Bethany from Heep Yunn School emerged as the Champion of the coveted competition. 

The contest served as a platform for Hong Kong secondary school students to hone their craft in English public speaking. Tasked with addressing the timely and thought-provoking theme of “Intelligence,” finalists delivered a 3-minute prepared speech, followed by 2-minute impromptu speech in response to a question not related to the theme. Contestants impressed the panel and audience alike by exploring the theme through various lenses—ranging from technological advancements and artificial intelligence to emotional depth and personal growth—demonstrating remarkable spontaneity, linguistic agility, and emotional maturity. 

This year's Grand Final panel of esteemed judges included Professor Edmond Law, the Education University of Hong Kong, Mr. Bosco Ng, CEO and founder, WEDO GLOBAL, and Ms. Olivia Wong, Lecturer from the Division of Communication, CIE. 

The panel praised the high calibre of the presentations, offering practical advice that converged on two core principles: the power of personal storytelling and vocal mastery. The judges highlighted personal narratives as vital for grounding complex ideas, making speeches simple, memorable, and relatable. They also emphasised that true impact stems from understanding one's voice, noting that vocal confidence and deliberate volume control far outweigh merely being loud.

Full list of Award Winners:

12 Finalists of the Grand Final (by schools’ alphabetical order):