Staff and students at HKUGA College were regaled by Professor Peter Mathieson, the President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong, on Friday, 17th October. Following a school tour and class visits led by student ambassadors, Prof. Mathieson and Dr. Christina Mathieson, his wife, spent the rest of the morning sharing their own experiences at university, as well as how students can make the most of their time there.

Prof. Mathieson encouraged students to view university education as a two-way process; ‘The University of Hong Kong has an inclusive environment, but also expects contribution from its students’, a similarity he observed at HKUGA College. ‘Although there is no artificial divide between secondary and tertiary students, younger students are less experienced and more idealistic. University teaches students how to deal with the world, and provides them with the freedom and safety to do so’. 

When questioned by students on his views about the Occupy Central movement, he described the situation as ‘tense’. “There is a lot to learn from what is and has been going on in the last few weeks”. Prof. Mathieson and Prof. Sung, the President and Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, visited the students in Admiralty as they believed ‘it was the right thing to do’. Prof. Mathieson added that ‘differences in opinion should flourish, and people should learn to be open-minded’; university education coupled with experience provides the platform and opportunity for students to question the norm.

He believes that every day should be treated as an opportunity to learn: “from your parents, your teachers, your friends and even your enemies, if you have any”. HKUGA College prides itself in its diversity of subjects and extra learning activities, and the teacher-student relationships that help foster independent, life-long learners. “Textbooks give you guidance; life gives you experience.” The school retains close ties with The University of Hong Kong and shares the same values that teach the students the right way forward. “Here at HKUGA College, you are being schooled to be ready for the opportunities at university,” remarked Prof. Mathieson.