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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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HKU gets cream of crop in direct line from schools
The University of Hong Kong has enrolled 82 elite students for 22 bachelor's degree programs, including arts, science, engineering and business management via a first-ever schools' nomination scheme.
Each school can nominate two students under the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme.
Launched this year, 186 Diploma of Secondary Education graduates have enrolled via the scheme, with HKU's 82 being the highest.
Applicants received offers in late June before the release of DSE results last month. Upon acceptance, they are out of Joint University Programmes Admissions System consideration.
Chris Guan Ming-wa of Queen's College regards the scheme as a "Plan B" as he would also get into HKU's business administration in international business and global management program with three Level 5**, two Level 5* and two Level 5.
"But DSE results cannot reveal everything about a student's strengths," said Guan, "They cannot measure a student's leadership and interest, for example, and that's why I apply for SNDAS."
"Work hard and play hard" is Guan's motto, especially in high school.
The Lehman Brothers bankruptcy in 2008 got him interested in economics and politics and into business competitions and volunteer activities.
As a volunteer, Guan visited a Pakistani who was qualified for a clerical job but rejected because of discrimination. He is now bent on focusing on the employment situation of ethnic minorities, the disabled and other vulnerable groups after graduation.
Another HKU scheme entrant is Alex Shiu Tik-lam of SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School.
Shiu got into the scheme out of a lack of confidence in his DSE grades but ended up getting 26 in the best five subjects.
"I think a dedicated goal, enthusiasm in a specific area plus a clear plan are reasons why I would be selected," said Shiu.
An interest in computer engineering saw him join many such competitions since high school, and he's even sold products of his own design.
Shiu will read global engineering and business, courses that are "interdisciplinary" for him.
Both agree the scheme's preparations are not thorough, "but since it is the first year, most students do not know how it works, and some think they are not competent."
For Guan, "I had to research information on the scheme, and I also had to show understanding and enthusiasm for the program in my application."
Guan was a member of his school's English-language debate team and choir, while Shiu also got into the debate team and drama society in high school.
Launched this year, 186 Diploma of Secondary Education graduates have enrolled via the scheme, with HKU's 82 being the highest.
Applicants received offers in late June before the release of DSE results last month. Upon acceptance, they are out of Joint University Programmes Admissions System consideration.
Chris Guan Ming-wa of Queen's College regards the scheme as a "Plan B" as he would also get into HKU's business administration in international business and global management program with three Level 5**, two Level 5* and two Level 5.
"But DSE results cannot reveal everything about a student's strengths," said Guan, "They cannot measure a student's leadership and interest, for example, and that's why I apply for SNDAS."
"Work hard and play hard" is Guan's motto, especially in high school.
The Lehman Brothers bankruptcy in 2008 got him interested in economics and politics and into business competitions and volunteer activities.
As a volunteer, Guan visited a Pakistani who was qualified for a clerical job but rejected because of discrimination. He is now bent on focusing on the employment situation of ethnic minorities, the disabled and other vulnerable groups after graduation.
Another HKU scheme entrant is Alex Shiu Tik-lam of SKH Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School.
Shiu got into the scheme out of a lack of confidence in his DSE grades but ended up getting 26 in the best five subjects.
"I think a dedicated goal, enthusiasm in a specific area plus a clear plan are reasons why I would be selected," said Shiu.
An interest in computer engineering saw him join many such competitions since high school, and he's even sold products of his own design.
Shiu will read global engineering and business, courses that are "interdisciplinary" for him.
Both agree the scheme's preparations are not thorough, "but since it is the first year, most students do not know how it works, and some think they are not competent."
For Guan, "I had to research information on the scheme, and I also had to show understanding and enthusiasm for the program in my application."
Guan was a member of his school's English-language debate team and choir, while Shiu also got into the debate team and drama society in high school.
