Openlink Vol 16 Issue 1

Leung Ka-wing must have interviewed dozens of government officials and community leaders -- and talked to hundreds of phone-in members of the public -- in his role as programme host of RTHK's morning current affairs radio programme. It is definitely a very challenging job which requires knowledge in a wide range of areas. That's why he signed up for a degree in international studies 13 years ago to firm up his academic foundation. He tried to focus on one course at a time and did particularly well in courses related to China. Leung was grateful to his wife and sons for allowing him to spend family time on his studies, even during their vacation.

Buddhist nun brushes up on Chinese culture -- and teaching skills

Brought up in Malaysia, Venerable Man Le was not taught much about Chinese culture when she was young. She went to Fo Guang Shan Monastery in Taiwan to learn to become a Buddhist nun at the age of 19 and was sent to Hong Kong to preach the thoughts of the Buddha in 1992. Despite a busy life encompassing sermons and other outreach activities, Venerable Man Le managed to finish her degree in Chinese language and literature in four years. 'Knowing more about Chinese culture has been useful for my study of Buddhism. I also learned various teaching skills from the tutors and tried to use them in my Buddhist classes,' she said.

Husband and wife graduate together

Benson Wong and his wife Wendy Lam graduated at the same time with a Master's degree in Information Technology with Internet Applications (MSCITIA). After Form 5, Wendy furthered her studies at a technical institute and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University before embarking on a career in the IT industry. She obtained her OUHK BBA degree and persuaded her then-boyfriend Benson to enrol on the MSCITIA with her as well, despite his misgivings about distance learning. The couple enjoyed each other's company and graduated with impressive results. They both appreciated the practical aspects of the programme and are planning to study further.

TV actor gets BBA

Like many OUHK graduates, Ellesmere Choy has taken quite some time -- 12 years to be exact -- to get his degree in international business. The erratic working schedule of an acting career meant that he would at times miss a study assignment, a class or even an exam. But despite all hindrances, Choy is glad to have at last finished his studies, which he sees as a milestone in his life journey.