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Chan Wing-yin, a Year 3 history student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has been awarded the Link University Scholarship for two consecutive years. She sees many academic and practical advantages that the annual scholarship of $20,000 offers. “The Link University Scholarship is a highly flexible scholarship with no designated use. I’ve already used a portion of the funds to learn sign language to communicate with the hearing impaired,” she said.
“It relieves me from having to juggle part-time jobs to meet my living expenses. In addition to learning sign language, I’m using a portion of the funds for museum and art gallery tickets. [This scholarship] has provided me with the chance to engage in more extracurricular activities and broaden my horizons.”
For students aspiring to be recipients of the Link University Scholarship, academic excellence is just one part of the equation. Equally important are qualities like compassion and a genuine commitment to community service. Every week, Wing-yin dedicates her time to volunteering at a local community centre, where she provides tutoring to children from non-Chinese backgrounds and low-income families. Additionally, she participates in community events organised by Link.
“The Link University Scholarship encompasses much more than financial support; it serves as a remarkable platform for me to gain deeper insights into society. Among my most cherished memories is joining my fellow volunteers to collect surplus food from grocers at Nam Cheong Place Market to donate to Food Angel. Through this experience, I’ve found that many grocers have a big heart. They generously donate vegetables and fruits that are still fresh and sellable to help those in need. The experience has also motivated me to take part in volunteer work for the homeless. Moreover, Link’s plastic recycling and large-scale social skills workshops have opened my eyes. I’ve learned things that are not taught in school.”
“Wing-yin adheres to the motto, “opportunity favours the prepared mind”. As a history major with a minor in cultural management, she has meticulously equipped herself to pursue a dream career in the museum sector following her graduation. “I’m deeply interested in these two fields. Not only do they drive my academic pursuits, but they also align perfectly with my aspirations in museum work, a career path I’ve long cherished. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the enrichment of others’ understanding and appreciation of history through engaging museum experiences.””
During her spare time, Wing-yin actively participates in the “Hong Kong Palace Museum Student Ambassador” programme, organised by the Hong Kong Palace Museum. In this role, she engages in various activities, including attending thematic seminars, creative arts activities, conservation workshops and docent training. Recently, she became one of the 108 student ambassadors who successfully completed the programme and received an official certificate.
Wing-yin takes her responsibilities as a student ambassador seriously. “Before guiding students into the gallery for the first time, I check and verify my information repeatedly to ensure that everything is correct. Meanwhile, my partner helps maintain order and attends to other arrangements. The experience has taught me how to communicate with students and the elderly using different techniques, such as by adjusting my tone and presentation speed.”
Additionally, Wing-yin serves as a student docent at the Art Museum of CUHK. “The majority of the visitors possess a deep understanding of paintings and artefacts. As a result, I must ensure that I have a comprehensive grasp of the historical context, cultural significance and distinctive characteristics of the exhibits to provide precise explanations to our guests. This presents both a challenging task and a valuable training opportunity for me. Through these priceless practical experiences, I have acquired a heightened awareness of my strengths and areas where I can improve, offering me valuable insights as I prepare to step into the wider world. These experiences have also contributed to the clarity of my life goals and aspirations.”
