10-03-2014
Alumni from Education Sector Share Experiences and Insights in “The Quest for Excellence in Education” Forum
Event Information
On 25 February 2014, Alumni Affairs Office organised the second Alumni Sharing Forum entitled “The Quest for Excellence in Education” for the academic year 2013-14, which attracted some 120 students, alumni and academics to attend, including Chairman of HKBU Council and Court Mr. Cheng Yan-kee, Council member of the University Mr. Michael Hui Wah-kit and other senior management of the University.
Three distinguished alumni, Headmaster of Diocesan Boys’ School Mr. Ronnie Cheng, Principal of Heep Yunn Primary School Ms. Ada Leung and Administration Master of SKH Chai Wan St. Michael Primary School Mr. Sunny Wong shared their views on educating the next generation and managing a school with passion and quality, followed by a panel discussion chaired by Associate Vice-President Prof. Frank Fu and Head of Department of Education Studies Prof. Sandy Li, whereby the speakers engaged in an interactive and fruitful discussion among themselves.
Alumnus Sunny Wong kick-started to share his daily teaching life with different roles at school including a teacher during classes, a mediator for settling students’ disputes as well as a counsellor at moments of their frustration and anxiety. Alumnus Wong also encouraged the teachers-to-be to shoulder more out-of-classroom responsibilities and guide the students to have all-round development.
Alumna Ada Leung shared her views on generalised and specialised education in Hong Kong and the importance of lifelong learning. Despite the hardship and challenges that may be encountered by teachers, she regarded that nurturing the next generation is meaningful and rewarding and there is no way around commitment once taking up the role as a teacher.
Lastly, alumnus Ronnie Cheng introduced a phrase “It’s a DOG’s life”, in which D.O.G. is the acronym of Drive, One (means one little thing can make a difference) and Give, to bring out the message of teaching with heart. He also humorously used the phrase to describe the bittersweet experience of teaching. He echoed Ada that a teacher should be aspired to make his effort to influence others and feel privileged.
In the panel discussion led by Prof. Frank Fu and Prof. Sandy Li, three speakers opined that students should think clearly about their commitment and goals before choosing teaching as their career. Concluding the forum, Prof. Fu emphasised the extraordinary mission and duty of a teacher and added that an educator should be tough, responsible, visionary and confident in pursuit of excellence in academic arena.
