Over the years, Chung Chi College has nurtured a wealth of talents across generations and invests in student development with abundant resources ongoingly, aiming to cultivate talents with the attributes of “Excellence in Academics and Sports”, “Cultivation of Virtue and Talents”, and “Enhancement of Spirituality”. Since the academic year of 2023/24, Professor Ng Shek Nam Marques has taken up the position of the Dean of Students. What ideas and ambitions does he aspire to realise concerning College student development? From being a Chung Chi student, alumnus, and teacher, to Dean of Students today, how does Professor Ng interact with students harmoniously and witness their happy and healthy growth in the College?
Unchanged Original Aspiration Despite Changing Roles
When Professor Ng assumed office as the Dean of Students in August 2023, it had been ten years since he obtained his bachelor’s degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Though his identity in the College has been changing over the past decade, his original aspiration of connecting with Chung Chi remains unchanged. “As early as the days when I was preparing for the A-Level examination (Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination, the university entrance public examination up to 2013), I always did my revision at Chung Chi Tang. I only had a mission — pursuing my further studies at the CUHK School of Nursing. Though other universities also offered nursing programmes at that time, I was fascinated by the campus environment of Chung Chi College. Therefore, CUHK was my only choice for fulfilling my hope to be a Chung Chi-er,” Professor Ng said cheerfully. After graduation, he joined the healthcare sector and worked in the emergency department and operating theatres at a public hospital. After gaining hands-on experience, he wondered if the overall Hong Kong medical system could be improved for enhancing medical services, and thought that education and research could realise his mission. It happened that he was awarded a scholarship for further studies, and then decided to return to his alma mater to pursue the Doctor of Philosophy programme in nursing. Upon completing his doctoral degree programme in 2019, he engaged in education and research in the Nethersole School of Nursing at CUHK, and returned to the Chung Chi family two years later, getting involved in the College Staff Club and Music Committee affairs.
In just a decade, Professor Ng has changed his role from being a Chung Chi nursing graduate to the Dean of Students. Though his identity has been changing over the past decade, his original aspiration of connecting with Chung Chi remains unchanged.
Putting Himself in Students’ Shoes
Professor Ng believes that taking up the position of the Dean of Students is a new attempt, yet it appears to be familiar to him. “I was seldom involved in student development beforehand. This role is said to be a new challenge to me; however, I may understand what students think and need from their perspectives easier as I have been there and my days as an undergraduate student seem not too long before. Having said that, youths of different eras have diverse views on society, education, and life. I will get to know what they feel about different aspects through joining College events and everyday Campus life so that we can have face-to-face interactions. It would help us address their needs and steer student development towards better directions.
Be Happy, Be Bright, Be You
Professor Ng said he will foster student development based on the three directions driven by the mission of Chung Chi Student Development Office, namely “Be Happy, Be Bright, Be You”. First, “Be Happy” means creating a happy campus where students can be cheered up and interact with their peers of various cultural backgrounds harmoniously, leading to higher social inclusiveness. For example, the “International Night” held annually and the recently launched “Cultural Shock” series enable Chung Chi teachers, staff members, and students to get to know one another and enhance their sense of belonging to the College. Second, “Be Bright” encourages students to explore their strengths and unleash their potential actively through a broad array of College events such as scholarship award schemes, student exchange and summer exchange programmes, CC Star, and the soon-to-be-launched Servant Leadership Training, among others. Last, “Be You” motivates students to enhance their sense of belonging to Chung Chi and find their position at last after taking part in diverse College activities. “The ultimate goal of the above aspects is to encourage Chung Chi teachers and students to get to know one another proactively, which helps improve students’ physical and mental well-being and social inclusiveness. Thanks to the steadfast College foundation and all-round support of Chung Chi teachers and staff members, student development can keep abreast of the times and cater to students’ needs with comprehensive services,” said Professor Ng.
Nursing and Student Development: Caring is the Essence
Professor Ng mentioned that there is a commonality shared by both the teaching and research work in the Nursing discipline and Chung Chi student development, “The motto of the Nethersole School of Nursing, CUHK is ‘to serve the community with compassion’. The healthcare profession is committed to the spirit of caring for patients, which can be applied to nurturing students’ growth and development. The training in nursing attaches great importance to not only medical skills, but also caring for people’s needs and feelings. This attitude is equally important in understanding students’ needs and devising student development directions. On the other hand, I am currently the Year-1 coordinator of the Bachelor of Nursing programme and have to handle various student issues. Apart from programme content, I often deal with their study progress, attendance, and even involvement in group projects, among others. I will arrange face-to-face meetings with students individually to have a better understanding of their situations when necessary. Such experiences are also utterly applicable to Chung Chi student development and counselling.”
Professor Ng said the training in nursing attaches great importance to not only medical skills, but also caring for people’s needs and feelings. This attitude is equally important in understanding students’ needs and devising student development directions.
Empowered Teams with Unwavering Backup
It has been over half a year since Professor Ng took up the role of the Chung Chi Dean of Students. He is truly grateful for the ceaseless support and care of the College. “Thanks to the steadfast foundation laid by Chung Chi predecessors and the unwavering backup from our colleagues as always, we can work in teams with a positive attitude, achieving rewarding and satisfactory results. Since I was on board, it has been the support of our teams that makes me more engaging in my present duties, be it brainstorming and planning student development initiatives, or student counselling. It also constitutes valuable experiences in the College apart from those that I have gained from the teaching and nursing professions.”
Always be with You
What ambitions does Professor Ng aspire to realise during his tenure as the Dean of Students? He expressed it with a precise yet meaningful phrase, “Always be with you!” Ever since he returned to Chung Chi, he has got close to students through College activities, and forged a more intimate connection with them when he took up the role of the Dean of Students. “As I live in the College staff hostel, and the faculty office and Student Development Office are also on the Chung Chi campus, what’s more, I am used to working out in the College Fitness Centre, I always come across students day and night. Recently, some Executive Committee members of the Chung Chi Student Union have reached out to me and asked for my opinions on certain matters. Though I might not address all of their issues immediately, I am eager to interact with them. Just like friends, we chat and interact with one another happily,” Professor Ng said gratefully, “We will always be with Chung Chi students! All I want to realise is that they can grow happily and healthily, which is my ultimate mission.”
As Professor Ng lives, works, and even exercises on the Chung Chi campus, he always comes across students and interacts with them like friends, forging an intimate connection.
Interviewed and written by Cabbie Kwong
