It is an immense honour to be awarded the Wu Yee Sun Award for the Most Distinguished Graduating Student. Below is an excerpt from my personal statement.

“Imagine the Earth is trapped in an oven, with continually escalating temperature”, polar explorer Dr. Rebecca Lee showcased photographs captured at the Poles while explaining climate change to us, a group of primary students conducting a relevant project. Despite the lack of background knowledge, this vivid oven analogy was engraved in my mind ever since. It ignited my initial interest in environmentalism and left a permanent trace on my path.

Similar to other mass environmental problems, climate change is a global dilemma which involves diffuse causes and remote consequences. Not only are such problems difficult to comprehend, they require strenuous effort to tackle. Yearning for a solution, I committed to the major programme of Geography and Resource Management, in hope of accumulating academic expertise to protect the environment.

In an unequal world, I strive create a more equitable future through service. Before leading the college service learning trip to Sri Lanka, I contemplated its meaning to both the local community and participants. Recognizing time is insufficient to significantly improve lives of locals, we focused on identifying true needs of war-affected communities, including orphans and widows. We spoke out for them by sharing our insights to Hong Kong people, so those intending to help can better cater for the needs of service targets. On the last day of service, Sri Lankan boy Tanoja handed his only ornament to me as gift. I was deeply moved and humbled by his act of kindness. The civil war shattered homes and families in Sri Lanka, yet never could it diminish the innate kindness among civilians. Tanoja taught me to serve with humility and maintain openness to learning – a memorable lesson imprinted in my heart.

I was elected as the scholar for Esther Yewpick Lee Millennium Scholarship 2019, which fully covers my tuition, board and lodging as an MPhil student in Environmental Change and Management at the University of Oxford. The progressive course structure can equip me as an all-rounded environmental leader with analytical mindset and global vision. Through my MPhil research, I endeavor to advance environmental policies and management practices. There were also two important appointments this year. I was selected as he first Sustainable Development Goals Coordinator in Hong Kong, under the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. In addition, I am appointed as one of the two youth council members of Sustainable Development Council under self recommendation scheme. These are examples of how scholarship can be integrated into actions, bringing concrete changes to the society.