Unforgettable judo moments and life lessons at HKSYU

There was a one-year gap between the entry years of Ngai Chi Yuen and his wife Ng Chui Yee to Hong Kong Shue Yan University. The husband studied Social Science, the wife Journalism. The University Judo team brought the two together. Still, the couple reckons the life lessons learnt were the greatest gifts from the University – the values of sparing no effort, persistence, and earnestness.

In the summer of 2001, Ngai received his A-Level exam results, which were – as he had expected - mediocre. The science student thus knocked at the door of HKSYU and tried to enrol himself into one of the departments - History, Chinese Language and Literature, Journalism and Communication, Accounting and Social Science. For some reason, Ngai was convinced that social science was the most science-related discipline, hence his decision. Here he also fulfilled a childhood dream – to learn judo by joining the University judo team. As he summarises the four eventful years, Ngai expressed gratitude for his coach and peers.。

The HKSYU Spirit in the Lung’s words

This 50th-anniversary interview features George Lung Chee Ming and his son Lung Wil Ho. In the 1970s, many HKSYU students divided their time between study, work, and family. What added to the challenging strike of balance was the 4-hour commute to the University on every school day. According to Lung, the perseverance of President Dr Hu and Principal Dr Chung inspired him to finish his studies against all odds. In Lung’s words, his life was inspired by “The HKSYU Spirit”. When his son expressed interest in enrolling in HKSYU, Lung was “very supportive”.

The Biz Couple

Leung Ka Hung met his future wife, Lai Wan Ting, in 2008 through the Mentorship Programme by the Office of Student Affairs. The two eventually fell in love and tied the knot. In this 50th-Anniversary interview, the couple expressed gratitude to the University for the red thread – they also expressed gratitude for the mentorship, guidance and support from the President, Principal, teachers, and staff members of Hong Kong Shue Yan University.

Leung enrolled in the Department of Counselling and Psychology in September 2005 because he wanted to know himself better and learn how to help others. The day before his application, he travelled from his home in Sai Wan Ho to Braemar Hill just for a glimpse of the campus. When the sports enthusiast first saw the new Amenities Building and then the Academic Building, he was impressed by the contrast between the old and new. To this date, Leung still remembers the yellowish and rough papers used at the office when he submitted his enrollment application the next day.

One year later, Lai Wan Ting enrolled in HKSYU in September 2006. When she was still a Form 3 student, Lai was fascinated by the job nature and passion of the in-school social worker; and this fascination became an aspiration that she would study hard for. When she signed her enrollment form at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, it was almost a no-brainer to choose Social Work (Hons) Bachelor’s Degree programme. The Ma On Shan dweller, who had hardly set foot on the Hong Kong Island, was so nervous on her way to HKSYU to submit her application. A step on Wai Tsui Crescent, she was amazed by the historic feel of the Academic Building. From the papers used by the University and the clothing of the teachers and students, Lai Wan Ting learnt how ‘down-to-earth’ this institute was.

Alex Wu Chun Wing & son Wu Ho Tin

Alex Wu Chun Wing, Founder of Photo Magazine, and his son were invited to this 50th-anniversary interview for their alma mater.

The father and son seated themselves in our lecture rooms respectively in the 1980s and 2010s. Despite the 30-year gap, the Wus share similar feelings about Hong Kong Shue Yan University. They are most impressed by Principal Dr Chung Chi Yung and the close-knit relationship between our teachers and students.

Alex Wu holds Principal Chung in high regard – especially for her priceless contribution to Hong Kong’s education by giving countless young students an opportunity for further studies and personal development under the roof of the college she founded. According to Wu, Principal Chung was very kind to teachers and was happy to discuss with them. “Before Principal Chung had a stroke in 2001, she would invite me to her office every time I went back to teach my lessons.”

Alex Wu recalls when one of his publications, Baby Magazine, organised an essay competition, and he invited Principal Chung to be the keynote guest. To make her presence at the occasion, Principal Chung rushed back to Hong Kong, and this gesture deeply moved Alex Wu. “I felt sorry for putting her through a weary journey just for an activity organised by her student.”

Wu Ho Tin recalled the day when he followed his father to visit Principal Chung. Back then, he was still in primary school. A step into the principal room, Dr Chung greeted him with a packet of haw flakes from her drawer. After the first bite, Wu recalled, he tasted something weird and thus restrained from taking another bite. Later, he realised the snack had already gone bad. “I didn’t blame Principal Chung because I knew her courtesy was out of kindness. She just didn’t notice the expiry date.”

Brothers Ng Ka Ho and Ng Ka Chun

Ng Ka Ho and Ng Ka Chun were invited to return to their alma mater for this 50th-anniversary interview. With a 10-year age difference, the brothers studied Business Administration and Accounting at HKSYU and shared their fondest memories of the football team.

Ng Ka Ho, the elder brother, recalled those days when he had to get up very early in the morning for practice. According to him, it’s all about attitude. “Young people find it hard to get up early in the morning. Our coach required us to be there 30 minutes in advance for warm-ups, so that we could give our best performance as the reserved time slot began. Coach wanted us to make the most of every moment of our training. It’s because laze would be just a waste of your own time and Coach and team members’ time.”

The younger brother nodded at the importance of attitude. “First of all, we must not look down on ourselves. HKSYU might not have comprehensive infrastructure and generous funding, but our team has a strong team spirit. We value persistence and defy remorse. This attitude inspires my studies and career. I was involved in team administrative work since Year 1, and I was faced with many bumps in the road. But I accumulated more solution experience and shared some with junior team members.”

The Leung’s couple 

Leung Ka Chun, Felix and his wife were students of Professor Catherine Sun (recently the Senior Vice President of Shue Yan) during their four-year undergraduate study at the Department of Counselling and Psychology since 2003.

They both took the subject ‘Chinese Psychology’ taught by Professor Sun, and they had learnt a lot from such an inspiring teacher. Let’s read more about their story!