Four of a Kind: FLASS Students Sweep the President’s Commendation Scheme

Each year, the President’s Commendation Scheme recognises EdUHK students for outstanding non-academic achievements in arts and culture, community service, leadership, sports and innovation, and science and technology. FLASS students have consistently performed well in the scheme. Among the six award winners for the 2025/26 academic year, four are from FLASS: one received the President’s Commendation Award and three received the President’s Appreciation Award. A ceremony was held in May to present the prizes to all awardees.

Andora Chan Wing-yin, a fourth-year student of the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Physical Education) (BEd(PE)) programme, was one of the two recipients of this year’s Commendation Award. She was honored to receive the award in recognition of her achievements in korfball. “I first encountered korfball in 2016 during my first year of secondary school, and began playing seriously after transferring to Jockey Club Ti-I College,” the awardee said. In 2018, Andora represented Hong Kong for the first time as a member of the city’s U16 team. Since then, she has represented Hong Kong internationally across multiple age categories, and has been a member of the HK Adult Korfball Team since 2022.

“Korfball is a mixed-gender game combining elements of basketball and netball. Every point is scored by throwing the ball into a netless basket mounted on a pole without a hoop. Players may not dribble or run with the ball; they can only pass and shoot, which demands rapid passing and sharp spatial awareness,” Andora explained. Her best results to date include representing Hong Kong to finish eighth at the 2024 U21 World Korfball Championship in Kemer, Turkey, and third at the 2024 Asian Korfball Championship, hosted by Hong Kong.

Andora had long set her sights on becoming a physical education teacher, which led her to choose the five-year BEd(PE) programme at EdUHK. “The programme builds both hands-on skills in sport and pedagogy. The internship arrangement is a draw as well. I have completed an internship at a primary school and will intern at a secondary school in my final year. At the primary school, I taught students touch rugby, which is somewhat like a seek-and-hide game. I was especially pleased to see students change their attitude towards sport after attending my PE classes; some even got excited every time they spotted me walking past,” she said.

In May, Andora received the President’s Commendation Award at the ceremony chaired by EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin and attended by other members of the senior management. Besides Andora, three other students from FLASS won the President’s Appreciation Awards: Thomas Chan Chi-fung of the Bachelor of Health Education (Honours) programme, Chu Pak-ho and Li Yan-tung, both of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sports Science and Coaching programme.

The ceremony also honoured recipients of the Whole Person Development Awards - Dean of Students’ List, and a range of 2024/25 scholarships. These awardees excelled in arts, sports, academia, community service and personal development, and embody the University’s cherished development ideal of “Education Futures, Diverse Talents”.

EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi Kin extended his congratulations to all awardees, “This year marks the 10th anniversary of EdUHK’s retitling, a milestone that reminds us of our enduring mission. The outstanding achievements of our students in academics, sports and arts exemplify perseverance and the pursuit of excellence, reflecting the University’s core values of resilience, integrity, and passion for learning.” He encouraged all students to keep striving, realise their potential, and shape a brighter future for themselves and for society.

The President’s Commendation Scheme, introduced in 2010/11, recognises students with distinguished achievements beyond academic studies, across arts and culture, community service, leadership, sports, and innovation, science and technology. Since its inception, nearly 160 students and groups have been honoured, reflecting EdUHK’s commitment to whole-person education.

Two students also received the Whole Person Development Awards – Dean of Students’ List’ for 2025/26 at the ceremony. Dean of Students Professor Bill Yeung Chi-ho presented the awards and praised the recipients for their courage to explore and willingness to embrace both academic studies and non-formal learning. He encouraged them to make good use of their strengths, push past boundaries, and shape their own futures.

FLASS recipients of the President’s Commendation Scheme included: