The Food and Health Bureau today (August 28) invited interested parties to apply for the Research Fellowship Scheme under the Health and Medical Research Fund.
 
     The scheme aims to support researchers or professionals in their early to mid-career, particularly healthcare professionals, to enhance their skills in public health research, in particular public health policy. 
 
     To tie in with the launch of the Government's "Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Hong Kong" and the Hong Kong Cancer Strategy 2019, higher priority will be accorded to applications which address the preventable or modifiable risk factors for NCDs, namely smoking, alcohol drinking, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. Subject to the quality of the applications, at least four of the eight awards will be granted to applications which can address the aforementioned four factors for NCDs, with one award in each area.
 
     In addition, as the main purpose of this research fellowship scheme is to equip fellowship awardees with the knowledge and skills to become independent scientists/researchers, starting from this round of application, more emphasis will be put on the training plan by raising the budget ceiling and weighting on assessment of the training programme.
 
     The grant ceiling per award is $1.2 million inclusive of $400,000 for training. Tertiary institutions funded by the University Grants Committee can each nominate up to five fellowship applicants. Each applicant can only submit one application.
 
     The application should cover:
 
* a local or overseas training programme (regular programmes for higher academic qualifications, e.g. Master or PhD degree will not be considered); and
 
* a research project relating to the proposed training programme which could be a small-scale study, preferably with no more than three research objectives. Pilot studies are also welcomed.
 
     Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview. Applications will be subject to peer review. The vetting will take into account the capability of the applicant and his or her performance at the interview, the support by the mentor and administering institution, the importance of the training proposal and its relevance to the proposed research project. The proposed research project will be evaluated on its scientific merit, local relevance, translational potential or value, value for money of the proposals, research ethics and the track record of the applicant.
 
     The closing date for application is 6pm on November 19, 2019. Application guidelines can be downloaded from the website of Research Fund Secretariat. Enquiries can be made by fax at 2102 2444 or by email to rfs@fhb.gov.hk.

     The Transport Department (TD) today (August 28) reminded students to attend school early on the first school day next Monday (September 2) as traffic is expected to be busier than normal.
 
     "Students, especially those attending a new school, should familiarise themselves with the public transport routes to be taken to school and allow more travelling time on the first school day. Students living on the outlying islands or attending schools on the outlying islands should check the ferry schedules, the vessel types to be used and journey times for their intended ferry trips beforehand. Students are also reminded to pay attention to road safety when attending school," a department spokesman said.
 
     Major public transport operators have been reminded to provide adequate public transport services to meet the transport demand on the first school day.
 
     "The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre (ETCC) will closely monitor the traffic situation and public transport services on September 2. The department will maintain close liaison with major public transport operators and relevant government departments. Staff will be deployed at various major locations throughout the territory to observe the traffic conditions and provide on-site information to the ETCC for arranging public transport service enhancement or informing the Police for traffic regulation when necessary," the spokesman added.
 
     More information may be obtained through the following hotlines and websites of major public transport operators:
 

 
     Motorists are advised not to drive to the school areas if possible. Drivers of nanny vans and school buses should not carry excess passengers or leave schoolchildren in vehicles unattended. An escort should be provided on board when serving kindergarten or primary school students. Parents should agree well in advance with schools, operators of nanny vans or school buses on the locations for picking up and dropping off their children.
 
     Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the latest transport and traffic news on radio and television before leaving home. For enquiries, please call the department's hotline at 2804 2600 or the 1823 Call Centre.

     Police today (August 28) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in North Point.

     Wong Kwong-shing, aged 44, went missing after he left a hostel on King’s Road yesterday afternoon (August 27). His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 47 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt, black shorts and blue slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     A correctional officer at Pik Uk Prison stopped a fight among persons in custody yesterday (August 27).

     At 5.30pm yesterday, two male persons in custody aged 36 and 39 respectively were found fighting inside the kitchen. An officer at the scene immediately stopped the fight and called for reinforcement.

     During the incident, one person in custody sustained injuries to his head and back, while another person in custody sustained an injury to his hand. They were referred to a public hospital for further examination and treatment after treatment by an institution Medical Officer.

     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

     The two persons in custody were sentenced to imprisonment for the offences of using an identity card relating to another person and taking employment while being a person in respect of whom a removal order was in force respectively.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 28) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District are suspended until further notice.

     First aid service will be maintained at the beach.