Pride and passion: three FLASS graduates reflect on their time at EdUHK

Each year, the University confers the President’s Honour title on outstanding students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and positive personal qualities. In the 2024/2025 academic year, eleven FLASS graduates stood out among more than 1,500 graduates from the faculty and received this prestigious recognition.

Ten of the awardees were presented with their honours at the faculty-based graduation ceremonies held on 20 and 22 November 2025. FLASS FORWARD interviewed three of these distinguished graduates — Ms Joyce Chen Jingrong, Ms Aashia Asif, and Mr Samuel Wong Man-tak — about their most memorable moments, key takeaways from their studies, and future aspirations.

Ms Aashia Asif, a graduate of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology and Community Studies (BSocSc(SCS)) programme, shared how her previous experience as a kindergarten teacher inspired her academic journey. “Being a kindergarten teacher allowed me to observe identity issues in education and areas within early childhood education that need improvement. I joined the programme to better understand these issues and learn how to analyse education from a sociological viewpoint,” she said.

Aashia is currently working as a research assistant in the Department of Anthropology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She expressed gratitude to the BSocSc(SCS) programme for introducing her to theories that help her understand issues relating to kindergarten education and education in general. “Because of the academic learning from the programme and my own reflections, I am now in a better position to suggest solutions to address the issues I find crucial to education in Hong Kong,” the fourth-generation Indian said. To further equip herself in the field, Aashia is planning to pursue a research master’s or a doctoral programme in sociology and education.

Mr Samuel Wong Man-tak is a graduate of the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Integrated Environmental Management BSc(IEM) programme. He said the development of human civilisation has placed an increasing burden on the environment and, as environmental problems worsen, they pose a threat to the future of many generations to come. “To reverse this trend, effective environmental management is essential. Such efforts not only help mitigate current problems but also foster a sustainable natural environment and human civilisation. I want to fight for such a cause because it ensures that future generations can thrive in harmony with the planet,” the young graduate said.

The BSc(IEM) programme is designed to teach students through multiple channels, including classroom teaching, study tours and internship. “The programme has significantly broadened my perspective on local and global conservation work. I learnt that populations of certain wild bird species in Hong Kong were declining, but thanks to improved environmental efforts, their numbers have started to increase,” he said. Samuel is now looking for a job in environmental management. He is also actively considering further studies in environmental conservation when the right opportunity arises.

Ms Joyce Chen Jingrong, a graduate of the Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Geography) (BEd(GEOG)) programme, said fieldwork is the most distinctive element of geography education. “During fieldwork, we can observe and apply textbook knowledge to explain geological features in a real-world context,” she said.

Among the many field trips she joined, the UK study tour in 2023 is the most memorable. “During the tour, we had an opportunity to appreciate the breathtaking beauty of the Seven Sisters White Cliffs at close range. I learnt a lot from the visit to the learning centre near the cliffs, where professional tutors explained how geological forces contributed to their formation,” she said. Joyce is delighted that the UK tour has also strengthened the ties between classmates. “How we lived and laughed together, and worked collaboratively to prepare for our presentations throughout the trip has become my lifelong memory,” she said.

Joyce is currently working as a geography teacher at a secondary school, where she teaches junior forms and senior DSE classes. “The role comes with several challenges, such as managing administrative duties, preparing lessons and grading assignments within a tight schedule. Additionally, I am learning to adapt my teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of students and guide them toward continuous progress,” the BEd(GEOG) graduate said.

Dean of FLASS Professor Li Wai-keung is proud of the achievements that Samuel, Asif, Joyce and other awardees have made. “University education is not merely about knowledge acquisition, it is about preparing graduates for a lifelong learning journey. I believe FLASS education has instilled in our graduates the motivation to learn, the critical skills to process and analyse information, and the drive for personal growth. The awardees are exemplary of our education. I am confident that the education they received at FLASS will serve as a solid foundation as they embark on the next chapter of their lives,” he said.

Awardees of the President’s Honour title:

Please read related article FLASS hosts three graduation ceremonies to celebrate the hard work and achievements of the Class of 2025.