Individual Application - Rational Communication Educational Society

Terms and Conditions

Last up dated on August 22, 2018

PLEASE READ THE PRIVACY POLICY AND THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE USING THIS WEBSITE. BY SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION AND USING THIS WEBSITE, YOU ARE CONSIDERED TO UNCONDITIONALLY AGREE TO AND ACCEPT THE PRIVACY STATEMENT, THE RULES OF CONTEST AS WELL AS THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET OUT BELOW. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL REFUND OF THE ENTRY FEES BE MADE.

The content available on this website, including but not limited to all text, graphics, drawings, diagrams, photographs, video clips and compilation of data or other materials are subject to copyright owned by the Rational Communication Educational Society Limited (“the RCES”). Except as expressly permitted herein or where prior written authorization is obtained from the RCES, any reproduction, adaptation, distribution, dissemination or making available of such copyright works to the public is strictly prohibited.

Permission is granted for users to download the materials, provided that this is solely for personal or non-commercial internal use, and provided further that this copyright notice is downloaded at the same time. Users should note that this permission only applies to the RCES copyright materials. Where third party copyrights are involved, an appropriate notice will appear in this website.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this website is compiled by the Rational Communication Educational Society Limited (“the RCES”) for general information only. Whilst the RCES endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this general information, no statement, representation, warranty or guarantee, express or implied, is given as to its accuracy or appropriateness for use in any particular circumstances.

This website can also contain information contributed by others over whom, and in respect of which, the RCES may have no influence. Users may link from this website to sites provided by others. The RCES expressly states that it has not approved or endorsed the information provided by others on this website or any other sites linked to this website and the RCES accepts no responsibility or liability (howsoever caused) for such information.

The RCES is not responsible for any loss or damage whatsoever arising out of or in connection with any information including data or programmes on this website. The RCES reserves the right to omit, suspend or edit all information compiled by the RCES in this website at any time in its absolute discretion without giving any reason or prior notice. Users are responsible for making their own assessment of all information contained in this website and are advised to verify such information by making reference, for example, to original publications and obtaining independent advice before acting upon it.

User’s Conduct

As a condition of your access or use of this website, you must not:

Trespass, break into, access, use or attempt to trespass, break into, access or use any parts of our servers, and/or any data areas for which you have not been authorised by us; or
Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the website; or
Post or transmit any unlawful, fraudulent, libellous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, profane, threatening, abusive, harmful, hateful, offensive, or otherwise objectionable or unreasonable Information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that may constitute a criminal offence, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any local, state, national or foreign law; or
Post or transmit any advertisements, solicitations, chain letters, pyramid schemes, junk email, investment opportunities or schemes or any other unsolicited communications or messages (commercial or otherwise), or engage in spamming or flooding; or
Post or transmit any Information or software which contains any virus, trojan horse, worm or other harmful component or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of this website or any computer software or hardware; or
Post, publish, transmit, reproduce, distribute or in any way exploit any Information obtained through this website for commercial purposes; or
Upload, post, publish, transmit, reproduce, or distribute in any way, Information obtained through this website which is protected by copyright, or other proprietary right, or create derivative works with respect thereto, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner or rightholder or otherwise infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret or other intellectual property rights or other rights of third parties; or
Stalk or otherwise harass or violate the legal rights of others; or
Collect or store personal data about other users.

You have no rights in or to the Information available on this website and you will not use the Information available on this website in any manner or for any purpose, except as permitted by laws or under these Terms of Use.

Prohibition of Access

We reserve the right at all times to prohibit, deny or suspend your access to this website or any part thereof immediately and without notice, where we consider it unacceptable or we are of the opinion that you have breached any of the terms contained in the Terms of Use or that such prohibition or denial is appropriate, desirable or necessary in our sole discretion.

Links to and from the Website

The links on this website may take you to other sites that are not under our control. Links to other websites do not constitute an endorsement by us of such websites or the Information, products, advertising or other materials available on those websites. You acknowledge and agree that we have no responsibility for the content, accuracy or availability of any Information provided by linked websites or liable for any loss or damage caused by, arising out of or in connection with use of or reliance on any Information, materials, goods or services available on or through any such websites.

Privacy Policy & Statement

Last updated on August 22, 2018

Rational Communication Educational Society Limited (“the RCES”) pledges to meet fully with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, Chapter 486 of the Laws of Hong Kong. In doing so, the RCES will ensure compliance by its officers and staff to the strictest standards of security and confidentiality in respect of all personal information and data submitted by users via http://rceshk.com and its sub-domains (collectively, “Websites”) and the RCES will not, subject to the terms herein, release such information to anyone without the prior consent of the relevant user(s) of the Websites (whether registered or not) (“Users(s)”) except to the authorized persons listed under the section headed “Disclosure or Transfer of Data”.

Users are strongly recommended to read this Privacy Policy carefully to have an understanding of the RCES’s policy and practices with regard to the treatment of personal information and data provided by the Users on the Websites. This Privacy Policy is applicable to both registered and unregistered Users, and the terms herein may be updated, revised, varied and/or amended from time to time as the RCES may deem necessary and/or appropriate.

If Users have questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, they should contact Project Officer of the RCES, whose contact details are set out under the section headed “Enquiries” below.

Purpose of Collection of Personal Data

In the course of using the Websites, Users may disclose or be asked to provide personal information and/or data. In order to have the benefit of and enjoy various services offered by the Websites, it may be necessary for Users to provide the RCES with their personal information and/or data. Although Users are not obliged to provide the information and/or data as requested on the Websites, the RCES will not be able to render certain services on the Websites in the event that Users fail to do so.

The RCES’s purposes for collection of the information and data on the Websites include but not limited to the following:

(a) for the daily operation of the services provided to Users;

(b) to assist Users applying for job vacancy of the contest;

(d) to handle and follow up enquiries, requests and complaints from Users;

(e) to contact Users regarding administrative notices and communications relevant to his/her use of the Websites and to respond to Users’ inquiry or request;

(f) to assist the RCES with developments for future marketing and promoting purposes or other internal purposes;

(g) to allow Users to enjoy their benefits as members of the Websites by enrolling for special events and promotions hosted by the RCES and or its affiliates and or partner of the RCES;

(h) to identify Users who have enjoyed their benefits as members of the Websites by receiving and using marketing promotional materials;

(i) to facilitate the RCES and/or its affiliates to use the Users’ personal data for the purposes relating to the provision of services offered by the RCES and marketing services and/or special event of the RCES and/or its affiliates; and

(j) to obtain statistics about Users to analyze usage of the Websites in order to help its further development for internal use;

(k) for academic research;

(l) for purposes other than the above mentioned which are related to the RCES’s and/or its affiliates’ provision of their product and/or services as the RCES may deem fit.

If a User is under the age of 18, the RCES would strongly recommend him/her to seek prior consent from a person with parental responsibility for him/her, e.g. parent or guardian, who may contact the responsible Project Officer whose contact details are set out under the section, headed “Enquiries” for registering the User as member of the Websites.

The RCES strives to only collect personal data which are necessary and adequate but not excessive in relation to the purposes set out hereinabove.

If the RCES requires the use of your personal data for a purpose other than those set out hereinabove, we may request your prescribed consent to the same. If you are a minor, the prescribed consent should be given by your parent or guardian.

Collection of Personal Data

The RCES may collect personal information and/or data about a User such as his/her name, log-in ID and password, address, class, class number, email address, phone number, age, gender, date of birth, nationality, education level and work experience that is/are not otherwise publicly available. Occasionally, the RCES may also collect additional personal information and/or data from a User in connection with contests, surveys, or special offers.

Only duly authorized staff of the RCES will be permitted to access Users’ personal information and data, and the RCES shall not release such personal information and data to any third parties save and except for the circumstances listed out under the section headed “Disclosure or Transfer of Data”.

Disclosure or Transfer of Data

The RCES agrees to take all practicable steps to keep all personal information and data of Users confidential and/or undisclosed, subject to the following.

Generally speaking, the RCES will only disclose and/or transfer Users’ personal information and/or data to the RCES’s personnel and staff for the purpose of providing services to Users and organization of the RCES who have made specific requests for such information and/or data with Users’ prior consent. However, the RCES may disclose and/or transfer such information and/or data to third parties under the following circumstances:

(a) where the information and/or data is disclosed and/or transferred to any third party suppliers or external service providers who have been duly authorized by the RCES to use such information and/or data and who will facilitate the services on the Websites, under a duty of confidentiality;

(b) where the information and/or data is disclosed and/or transferred to any agents, affiliates or associates of the RCES who have been duly authorized by the RCES to use such information and/or data;

(d) where the RCES needs to protect and defend its rights and property;

(e) where the RCES considers necessary to do so in order to comply with the applicable laws and regulations, including without limitation compliance with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process served on the Websites;

(f) where the RCES deems necessary in order to deliver the products and services that we offer and cultivate a positive user experience; and

(g) where the RCES deems necessary in order to maintain and improve the services on the Websites.

Personal data collected via the Websites may be transferred, stored and processed in any country in which the RCES or its affiliates operate. By using the Websites, Users are deemed to have agreed to, consented to and authorized the RCES to disclose and/or transfer their personal information and data under the circumstances stated above, as well as to any transfer of information (including the Information) outside of the Users’ country.

Access to or request for correction of data

Any User is entitled to request access to or make amendments to his/her own personal information and data kept with the RCES by contacting Project Officer of the RCES at whose contact details are set out under the section headed “Enquiries”. Subject to the paragraph below, the RCES may alternatively edit, amend or delete his/her personal information and data at any time by logging into the Websites.

In the event that a User wishes to access or amend his/her personal information and data, the RCES may request him/her to provide personal details in order to verify and confirm his/her identity.

The RCES will not retain your personal data if Users request the RCES to cease his/her membership with the RCES. We will only keep your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which the data was collected as set out under the section headed “Purpose of Collection of Personal Data”.

Please note that if you do make a data access request and if we deem the same as appropriate, only a copy of your personal data would be provided.

Cookies and Log Files

The RCES does not collect any personally identifiable information from any Users whilst they visit and browse the Websites. When Users access the Websites, the RCES records their visits only and do not collect their personal information or data. If cookies are deployed for collecting personally identifiable information in the future, we will make separate notices accordingly.

The Websites’ server software will also record the domain name, server, address and track the pages Users visit and store such information in “cookies”, and gather and store information like internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, referring/exit pages, operating system, date/time stamp, and clickstream data in log files.

Links to Other Websites

The Websites may provide links to other websites which are not owned or controlled by the RCES. Personal information and data from Users may be collected on these other websites when Users visit such websites and make use of the services provided therein. Where and when Users decide to click on any advertisement or hyperlink on the Websites which grants Users access to another website, the protection of Users’ personal information and data which are deemed to be private and confidential may be exposed in these other websites.

This Privacy Policy is only applicable to the Websites. Users are reminded that this Privacy Policy grants no protection to Users’ personal information and data that may be exposed on websites other than the Websites, and the RCES is not responsible for the privacy practices of such other websites. Users are strongly recommended to refer to the privacy policy of such other websites.

Testimonials

The RCES posts Users’ testimonials on the Websites, which may contain personally identifiable information such as the Users’ names. The RCES does obtain the Users’ consent prior to posting the testimonials to post their names along with their testimonials.

Security

The security of Users’ personal information and data is important to the RCES. The RCES will always strive to ensure that Users’ personal information and data will be protected against unauthorized access. The RCES has implemented appropriate electronic and managerial measures in order to safeguard, protect and secure Users’ personal information and data.

All personal information and data provided by Users are only accessible by the authorized personnel of the RCES or its authorized third parties, and such personnel shall be instructed to observe the terms of this Privacy Policy when accessing such personal information and data. Users may rest assured that their personal information and data will only be kept for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it is collected. Registered Users should safeguard his/her unique Username and Password by keeping it secret and confidential and never share these details with anyone.

The RCES uses a third party service provider to facilitate the electronic assessment system on the Websites.

The RCES follows generally accepted industry standards to protect the personal information and data submitted by Users to the Websites, both during transmission and once the RCES receives it. However, no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. Therefore, while the RCES strives to protect Users’ personal information and data against unauthorized access, the RCES cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Retention of Personal Data

Once the RCES has obtained a User’s personal information and/or data, it will be maintained securely in the RCES’s system. Subject to legal requirements, the personal information and/or data of Users will be retained by the RCES after deactivation of the relevant service until Users request the RCES to erase his/her own personal information and/or data from the RCES’s database or to terminate his/her membership of the Websites.

Changes in this Privacy Policy

The RCES reserves the right to update, revise, modify or amend this Privacy Policy in the following manner at any time as the RCES deems necessary, so Users are strongly recommended to review this Privacy Policy frequently. If the RCES decides to update, revise, modify or amend this Privacy Policy, the RCES will post those changes to this webpage.

Rules and Regulations of the Speaking Contest for Hong Kong Students

By submitting an application, you indicate that you had the opportunity to review, and agree to comply with, all the Rules and Regulations set forth in the Contest Overview. For more details, please refer to the handbook and contest overview of The Thirteenth Speaking Contest for Hong Kong Students.

Media Activity: the RCES reserves the right to use the entries in any manner it sees fit (including with or without attribution) within future internal or external the RCES communications. The entries may also be used for press and media purposes and you agree to waive any moral rights and to not assert any other intellectual property rights that you have or may have in the entries. The RCES reserves the right to publish the name and likeness of winners and their school information on its website www.rceshk.com or through other media for publicity purposes. On entering into the Competition, you agree to be involved in media activity or other promotional activity regarding the Competition. The RCES will contact you in advance to seek your permission if any media request interviews with the winning entries/class. When you enter competition you will be asked to tick a box informing us you have received consent from the parents/guardian (in case, you are under 18 years old) to the use and disclosure of personal data as outlined in these terms and conditions.

Intellectual Property:

In submitting entries each entering participant (and their parent/guardian, if necessary) warrants that he/she is the owner of the entries and the intellectual property in it. Any intellectual property infringement, misuse or plagiarism of another person’s work in any form or state in the RCES’s opinion will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of eligibility to receive all awards, recognition and prizes. Each participants (and their parent/guardian, if necessary) also consents to his/her entries being used in the manner set out in these terms, or (where the entrant is not the owner) that he/she has obtained the consent of the owner(s) to use it in the manner set out in these terms without any further compensation.

No Recourse to Judicial or Other Procedures: To the extent permitted by law, the rights to litigate, to seek injunctive relief or to any other recourse to judicial or any other procedure in case of disputes or claims resulting from or in connection with this Competition are hereby excluded, and you acknowledge and agree, and expressly waive any and all such rights.

Limitation of Liability: To the maximum extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and keep indemnified the RCES at all times from and against all liability, claims, demands, losses, damages, costs and expenses resulting from any act, default or omissions by you and or a breach of any warranty by you detailed herein to the maximum extent permitted by law. You indemnify and agree to keep indemnified the RCES at all times from and against any liability, actions, claims, demands, losses, damages costs and expenses for or in respect of which the RCES will or may become liable by reason of or related or incidental to any act, default or omission by you under these rules including without limitation resulting from or in relation to any breach, non-observance, act or omission whether negligent or otherwise, pursuant to those rules by you. To the maximum extent permitted by law, you agree to hold the RCES, its respective Directors, Officers, Employees and assigns harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Competition and/or use or acceptance of any prize won.

General Conditions:

The RCES is not responsible for any typographical or other error in printing of the offer, administration of the Competition, or in the announcement of the prizes. The RCES accepts no responsibility for entries lost, delayed, damaged, defaced, or mislaid, howsoever caused. The RCES is not responsible for the policies, actions, or inactions of others, including your School that might prevent you from entering, participating, and/or claiming a prize in this Competition. Entries will not be returned. Only one entry per person. The RCES’s and/or any judge’s decision is final and binding and no correspondence will be entered into in relation to such decision. The RCES reserves the right to disqualify any entry or entrant that violates the Competition rules or that adversely affects the fairness or the legitimate operation of the Competition. There is no cash alternative and the prizes must be taken as offered. The RCES reserves the right to substitute prize(s) of an equivalent value should the prizes become unavailable for any reason. If any winner is not able for whatever reason to accept their prize then RCES reserves the right to award the prize to another participant. Potential prize winners may be required to sign, notarise, and return an Affidavit or Declaration of Eligibility, a Liability/Publicity Release and provide any additional information that may be required by the RCES. Failure to comply within this time period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner.

The Competition is governed by the laws of Hong Kong, excluding its choice of law rules. The parties agree that they will try in good faith to settle within thirty days any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of, relating to or in connection with this rule (“Dispute”). If the Dispute is not resolved within thirty days after such Dispute arose, such Dispute must be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration, to which the parties hereto expressly agree and submit. The arbitration will be submitted to the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) applying the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in force as of the date of this rules. There will be one arbitrator, the arbitration will be conducted in English and the place of arbitration will be in Hong Kong. Any decision rendered by the arbitral tribunal will be final and binding on the parties. In the event of an inconsistency in interpretation between the English language and Traditional Chinese language versions of the Terms and Conditions, the English language version shall prevail.

Internet: The RCES is not responsible for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission. The RCES is not responsible for theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of Competition materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind. The RCES is not responsible for inaccurate transmissions of or failure to display Competition materials on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof. If for any reason the Internet portion of the Competition is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Competition, the RCES reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition.

Enquiries

Should you have any enquiries, please email at info@rces.hk, telephone at +852 3521-0540 or write to us at the following address:

Rational Communication Educational Society Limited
P.O. Box.54840, Tai Po Post Office