Memories and reflections on the values and meanings of my career in education

On 22 September 2009 The University of Hong Kong presented the Honorary University Fellowships to ten distinguished individuals, in recognition of their contributions to the University and the community. Amongst them were Ms So Moy YUEN who had served at University Hall for over four decades, from 1957 until her retirement in 1998. Affectionately known as 三嫂 to hallites of University Hall, she dedicated a lifetime of service to the University, in the process contributing to the development of many generations of students residing at U-Hall. At the conclusion of the Citation delivered by Dr Albert CHAU, Dean of Student Affairs, he remarked "... she is certainly an inspiring mentor and teacher. Education is about life-affecting-life and she has certainly altered the lives of many Castlers – the name hallites of University Hall call themselves." (http://www3.hku.hk/cpaoonweb/honfellows/fellow_detail.php?section=fellow&id=221)

What makes her contributions to education truly distinguished is that due to war, she did not have the benefit of any formal education. Unlike her learned colleagues in HKU, she did not possess expert knowledge nor education ideology. I was not lucky enough to be a resident of University Hall in my school days to come under her maternal care and listen to her advice on how to court a girl, but I suppose when she was serving as a cook at University Hall, she did not realize what she did for the students in addition to preparing their daily meals would mean so much to them as to altering their lives. I believe her good deeds were entirely out of genuine love and caring for the students. In this regard I think everyone working in the education sector should reflect on the key to her success, and the values and meanings of our job.

Now that I am approaching full retirement from HKBU, it is opportune time for me to revisit the fond memories of my own career in education in the past 39 years. I don't know 三嫂 personally, but I am sure her biggest job satisfaction was not in receiving the Honorary University Fellowship. It must be enjoying the honour of being served “Daughter-in-law tea” when she was invited to the wedding banquets of University Hall graduates.

I would like to share my memories and thoughts with all my good friends on this blog.

Where should I begin? Well, it all started on one fine day in November, 1970, when my brother and I graduated at the same Congregation. Getting a PhD degree was the first step to embark on building an academic career in teaching and research, a much respected profession in those days that my parents were proud of, but I had little idea of how to do a good job other than lecturing dutifully and publishing research papers regularly.