Wilson Chan Yuen-san has a strong interest in both economics and politics. He enrolled in the OUHK after completing his Form 7 education and will graduate with a first-class honours degree in Social Sciences in Applied Social Studies.
In the first year of his university studies, Wilson’s only wish was to gain a degree. However, he gradually found university life very fruitful, while the relatively small campus offered a close-knit atmosphere to facilitate closer relationships between teachers and students. He always formed study groups with classmates and shared study tips and techniques. Apart from doing well academically, Wilson joined an internship programme with a political party, through which he helped to organize activities for the community. Last summer, he also participated in the Auxiliary Undergraduate Scheme and is now an auxiliary police constable. He said he has improved his communication skills and developed a sense of justice by serving on the frontline as a police officer. To better equip himself for the future, he will be pursuing further studies at the University of Warwick in the UK, where he will start a Master of Science in Economics and International Financial Economics programme.
Olivia Chui Pui-kei took up the Education and English double degrees programme at the OUHK after completing her Form 7 education in 2007.
Olivia actively participated in extra-curricular activities in her university days. She was a committee member of the Students’ Union in 2008. In 2009, she worked as an editing and translation intern at China Central Television for a month. Last summer, she served as a research assistant at the Police College. The valuable experience gained has widened her horizons and built up her social skills. According to Olivia, her four years of university education helped to strengthen her analytical, organizational and presentation skills and inspired her to set clear goals in life. She was determined to be a teacher and guide her students to become responsible people with positive personalities and high self-value. Olivia hopes to further enhance her critical and analytical thinking abilities. She will be studying for a master’s degree in gender studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, laying solid foundations for her future teaching career.
In late 2003 when she was just 17, Lolitta Ho Yan-yee fell into a coma after suffering a brainstem stroke. When she emerged from the coma, she experienced stiff joints and frequent muscle spasms, unable to stand and speak. After years of hard training, she can now type slowly with both hands, laboriously writing her story word by word.
‘After going through five or six brain operations and being in a coma for five months, I slowly began to awaken from the coma. Waiting for me was a host of training sessions, as I had to learn to walk and pronounce everything all over again...... Taking courses at the OUHK helps me to train my brain. With all the learning materials available on a CD, I am able to study whenever I like. I have not only successfully gone back to school and continued my studies, but also received the “Top Ten Regeneration Warriors” award. I believe everyone should adopt lifelong learning and strive to do their best. I am fortunate to have joined the OUHK, which has helped me to get through some very difficult times. I have learnt a lot from my experience and would like to encourage all those who are suffering from adversities. As long as you keep striving and never give up, tomorrow will be another day!’
Raymond Lau Wai-ming has been suffering from spinal muscular atrophy since birth. His life has never been easy, and his physical abilities decline day after day. He received the ‘Top Ten Regeneration Warriors’ honour during the year, proving his determination to live a rich and full life.
Raymond was determined to fulfil his dream of obtaining a bachelor’s degree at the OUHK. His study path was tough and lonely. However, he found pleasure in it as he believes studying with a wealth of time and under no pressure to gain good grades was an opportunity which is hard to come by. He obtained his degree of Bachelor in General Studies in 1997 after five years of hard work. He enjoyed learning particularly under the extraordinary study model offered by the OUHK, as it gave him the greatest possible flexibility to arrange his studies at his own pace. Raymond is the founding chairman of the Hong Kong Neuro-muscular Disease Association, which works to improve the quality of life for people with neuro-muscular disease and to create a favourable social environment for them. Despite his illness, Raymond believes he is able to live a fulfilled life.
David Lau Siu-kwong’s aspirations for higher academic qualifications never faltered despite his tight work schedule as a fire fighter. He managed to complete his bachelor’s degree programme, even though it took him 12 years to do so. David is currently the Station Commander at Mong Kok Fire Station. A Thai boxing and martial arts enthusiast, he was once Taekwondo champion at the Hong Kong Open Tournament and is now an instructor of the Hong Kong Wushu team. David said the martial arts spirit is about persistence and dedication, which has been the guiding force in his life. It is this guidance that has driven him to pursue his continued studies. He firmly believes that he can influence our younger generations by setting a good example.
Pursuing business administration studies which have contributed to his job, David loves the interactive learning atmosphere at the OUHK. As most of his classmates are working adults, their discussions have mainly centred on real case scenarios at work across a wide public and private sector spectrum. As such, the classmates have learnt a lot from each other with this sharing of different ideas. David also feels that the online Discussion Board was particularly useful in facilitating the exchange of views among fellow students.
