Young people should enrich themselves by nurturing the qualities of diligence, sincerity and self-discipline to better prepare themselves for future challenges, according to the Founder and Chairman of the Chevalier Group at a sharing session at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 24 August.

 

Dr Chow Yei-ching was sharing his thoughts on education and careers at "A Dialogue with Dr Chow Yei Ching cum Thanksgiving Party" organized by CityU's School of Graduate Studies (SGS) for postgraduate students, alumni and staff.

 

As a successful entrepreneur, Dr Chow considers integrity to be a highly important quality. This quality had enabled him to raise sufficient capital when he first started his business, said Dr Chow during an interview with CityU alumni Dr Bryan Wong Siu-fai and Miss Virginia Chiu Hsuang-kuen.

 

"A friend was willing to lend me money on condition that I paid it back in five days. So on the fourth day I looked for other means to raise money to settle the debt on time. With the reputation I had built, my friends were willing to lend me money again," Dr Chow said.

 

Dr Chow also places great importance on inner qualities and cultivation. "When you get to a high position, you

are less sure about yourself and find what you know is relatively little. Only by being humble will you be able to learn more," he said.

 

"The way to success is to enrich yourself, have foresight and not to focus on short-term gains. You will be rewarded for what you have done," he added.

 

Dr Chow said young people should not only acquire knowledge and skills but also pay attention to the cultivation of high moral character, which would benefit their whole life.

 

His advice to Hong Kong's university students was to do their best to achieve their goals, and to increase their competitiveness by preparing themselves well.

 

Dr Chow is active in charitable events and has supported the development of universities in Hong Kong, including CityU, and on the mainland. He said he was only giving back what he had taken from the community, and that education would help nurture great leaders and excellent professionals for the future.

 

Mr Chung Shui-ming, Chairman of the University Council, said it was an honour for CityU students and staff to have the opportunity to share Dr Chow's valuable experience. "Dr Chow has been very supportive of the development of CityU, in particular our graduate studies. It is hoped that through today's sharing, students will learn to strive to do their best so they can contribute to the community and the country in the future," Mr Chung said.

 

Professor Richard Ho Yan-ki, Acting President of CityU, thanked Dr Chow for his support. "All staff and students will work hard to raise the standard and quality of CityU in order to repay Dr Chow," he said.

 

Following the sharing, Dr Chow answered a number of questions from students and alumni, and his humourous remarks enlivened the atmosphere.

 

Those attending the event said they had benefited a lot from Dr Chow's sharing. Research Fellow from the Department of Biology and Chemistry, So Man-ka, said she understood better how important it was to set goals and to start one's career with integrity. Postgraduate student He Yuhe noted that Dr Chow's advice had motivated him to work harder.

 

In appreciation of Dr Chow's contributions to education and support to the development of CityU's graduate studies, a ceremony was held to announce the naming of SGS the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies.

 

Professor Roderick Wong Sue-cheun, Vice-President (Research) and Dean of Graduate Studies, said he was delighted to see staff and students turning a new page together for the School of Graduate Studies.

 

"Looking ahead, we will continue to develop quality graduate education and provide an outstanding learning environment for students to study and conduct research," Professor Wong said.

 

Miss Mandi Leung Hay-man, President of CityU Postgraduate Association, said that all the graduate students would remember Dr Chow's support and would in their turn contribute to society with greater achievements.

 

The Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies offers a wide spectrum of high-quality programmes and student activities. The taught postgraduate programmes are tailor-made to meet different professional needs. The research-oriented programmes cater for a wide spectrum of research interests of students. The community-at-large looks favourably on the taught and research programmes on offer.