Dear Members and friends,

The RGS-HK is excited to launch the 2025-2026 Hong Kong Young Geographer of the Year competition – also known as YGOTY (http://www.ygoty.hk/)

We would like to encourage our Members and their family members, relatives and friends to participate in the competition. If you know any likely applicants, please encourage them to submit entries digitally via this form. The link can also be found on ygoty.hk

Since its first launch 6 years ago, the competition has reached thousands of students, from numerous local and international schools - across ages 6 to 23. Each year, about 25 winners receive prizes including financial prizes, Ocean Park tickets, membership to the RGS-HK, and their photos being exhibited through the Royal Geographical Society - amongst others. 
 
Our judges are an international panel; include renowned architects and esteemed photographers; are recognised by awards and publications; and feature stellar pedigrees. 
During the prize-giving ceremony this year, the students (and their parents) shared with us how excited they were to have won their awards, and to impress these experts. All the winning entries are viewable on the website.

This year, the competition’s format remains the same: a visual (photograph, map, sketch or infographic, collage) accompanied by a brief written explanation that demonstrates knowledge and application of geographical concepts that connect to the competition’s themes.

 
Each student can enter one submission for each of the following themes:

• Nature: the uniqueness of the natural environment and species of Hong Kong
• People & Culture: the character of Hong Kong people & their ideas, customs or behaviour
• Urbanscape: the unique signatures of Hong Kong's built environment
• Critical Eye: the socio-economic or environmental issues that matter in Hong Kong 

Best regards,
Rupert McCowan  
Director