Terry Ching

2009 Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
Master of Science in Energy and Environmental Sustainability student

Terry Ching is a senior technical officer at the Civil Engineering and Development Department. For over 20 years, he has been a responsible civil servant with a passion for learning. Terry enrolled in the OUHK’s environmental studies programmes, which have enabled him to explore and analyze the environmental issues related to infrastructure projects. Environmental awareness is an important part of his life, and he is interested in many aspects of nature. Terry loves the excitement of being a light plane pilot and looking down on the Earth from a new angle. He has helped promote flying as a docent at the Hong Kong Science Museum and Hong Kong Aerospace Society. As Internal Vice-President of the Students’ Union, Terry also works closely with young fellow students to pursue the rights and interests of the student community.

Sushma Rai

2010 Bachelor of Education (Honours) (English Strand) and
Bachelor of Language Studies (English) (Honours)

Sushma came to Hong Kong from Nepal in 2002 to join her parents. It did not take long for the cheerful youngster to get used to the life here. In 2006 she joined the OUHK’s Education and English double degrees programme, from which she has gained a better understanding of Hong Kong’s education system and useful teaching skills. Sushma achieved good academic results, and made many friends from around the world. In her spare time she taught English in secondary schools. She is also learning Cantonese, and looks forward to starting Putonghua and resuming French studies. Sushma believes bridging the language barrier and enhancing South Asians’ understanding of the local education system would help them integrate into the community and develop their full potential. After graduation she will work as a secondary school English teacher, and plans to pursue a part-time Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

Both Leung Kai-tai and his sister Susanna got their OUHK degrees in 2009. Kai-tai lost his hearing due to illness as a child, but with persistence he became a skilled watch repairman. His pursuit of education also shows his patience and determination – he studied 17 years to obtain his degree in Chinese Humanities. After retirement, Kai-tai plans to write and teach children with hearing disability. One University Open Day he brought along his sister Susanna, and the experience stirred her desire to go back to school. Finances had made it impossible for Susanna to continue her studies beyond matriculation, and following a successful career, she became a full-time housewife. After her daughter had grown up, Susanna decided to fulfill her dream by taking the full-time Bachelor of Arts in Language and Translation programme. Her next goal is a Master of Arts in Applied Translation and she hopes to contribute her learning to society.

Bonnie Chan was born with cerebral palsy and lost the ability to walk at a young age. Various treatments failed and sometimes brought further complications. As a result, she has suffered from great mental and physical pain for most of her life. Writing opens a way for Bonnie to express herself. She turns what she sees and hears into stories and eagerly submits them to publishers. Her first book, I Have to Move On (in Chinese), was published in July 2009. In September 2009, Bonnie started her university life. She likes learning new things and has also studied some non-language courses to broaden her perspective. The budding writer has become more independent and now travels all over the campus in her electric wheelchair. Bonnie can’t write quickly, and she is grateful to teachers for making allowances for that in class.

Jason Chow had already won several local literary awards before he got the first prize in the poetry category of the 2010 City Literary Awards with A Stone Back to the Stream (in Chinese). Jason began writing about his feelings and daily life after he came across some poetry publications while working at a cultural boutique. After encountering many hurdles in finding jobs, he decided to pursue higher academic qualifications to smooth his career path. Jason enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature programme in 2007, and is now a teaching assistant at a primary school. He said the OUHK had opened the door to tertiary education for him, allowing him to study literature in greater depth. Jason hopes to develop his career in education after receiving his degree.

When Dorothy Tsang applied to study nursing at the OUHK, she just wanted to give it a try. After completing the four-year programme, she believes she chose the right university and degree. Nursing relies on clinical skills which require ample practical training, and this is one of the strengths of the programme. As Dorothy specializes in Mental Health Care, she received part of her practical training at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry where she had the invaluable opportunity of looking after mentally ill offenders. Her most memorable OUHK experience was meeting as a student representative with a programme accreditation panel from the Nursing Council, during which she successfully turned the enormous pressure into an impetus to do her best. The outgoing young lady aspires to become a community psychiatric nurse and devote herself to work for the welfare and rehabilitation of mental health patients.

Jacky Yau’s love of LEGO and his professional background in electronic engineering spurred him to develop robot building courses for young people. He later established the Robot Institute of Hong Kong, so that children can develop their creativity from robot construction. While teaching at a primary school, Jacky enrolled in the OUHK’s Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Primary) programme. Suggestions of instructors from lesson observation helped him enhance his teaching skills, and eventually train instructors for the Institute. In order to develop his management skills, he returned to the OUHK in 2008 to study for an MBA. Jacky often shares real world management problems he encounters with the class, and receives useful advice from instructors and classmates. He hopes to pursue DBA studies, with the use of robots in education as his subject of research.

Kelly Ng came to Hong Kong from mainland China as a teenager, later completing a Higher Diploma in Electronics at the former Hong Kong Polytechnic. After marriage, she and her husband explored business opportunities on the mainland. Their company is now listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. A mother of three, she decided to become a full-time housewife. Deeply influenced by her father’s ‘live and learn’ philosophy, Kelly entered the OUHK in 1995, completing an MBA and an Applied Computing degree in 10 years. She is thankful to the University for allowing her to enrol in the MBA programme via bridging courses. Kelly went on to obtain a DBA degree jointly offered by a US university and the People’s University of China. She calls herself ‘Dr Housewife (see lai)’ and is exploring how best to contribute her knowledge and experience to society.