The Scholarship & Prize Presentation Ceremony 2008 was over in mid-March. Congratulations to two Residence Tutors (RTs), Cedric Cheng Cheuk-him (Jockey Club Humanity Hall) and Gabriel Ho Kai-pong (Jockey Club Academy Hall), who received “City University of Hong Kong Top Outstanding Student Leader Awards”, in recognition of their outstanding leadership and academic performance. Apart from sharing their joy, the two RTs also shared the secrets of their success.

Cedric, who is now studying for his second degree in the School of Law, has participated in various extra-curricular activities and is now a member of the Students’ Union Arbitration Committee. He commented that the Award means more than a compliment to him. “I believed every leader has his own set of values. The award proves that the set of values working with leadership is being recognized and accepted.” Questioned about what a good leader should possess, Cedric pointed out three qualities, “they should have a good sense of judgment, responsibility and persistence in values.”

Gabriel had different opinions about the qualities a good leader should have: “a leader is actually a role model for all. He should recognize the aims and purposes of whatever he is doing, otherwise everything he does will turn out to be meaningless. A leader is not the one who takes charge everything, but should know how to assign work to appropriate team members and make use of human resources.”

Studying social work in his final year, Gabriel recalled what he had learnt from his placement and how he had applied his leadership skills when handling issues both in the university and the Student Residence. He shared that he had joined four different associations at a time. “I was always asked why I took up so many responsibilities. I would say that my curiosity urges me to make use of time and experience as much as I can during my university life.”

Cedric and Gabriel regarded good time management as important in both academic work and extra-curricular activities. Yet both disclosed different ways to success. “To be or not to be. Once you are given a task, either you reject it, or you take the responsibility and strive for the best to complete it,” said Gabriel with an affirmative tone. Cedric considered a determined will to be a critical way to success, “there is nothing you should sacrifice, but you should plan to achieve your work with determination and systematic planning.”

It has always been said that Student Residence is a crucial place for students’ personal development. Both RTs mentioned their efforts to encourage interaction among residents, so as to build up a lively residence environment. They hope residents will take every opportunity to have an enjoyable hall life and meet every resident around. Somehow RTs are like role models in creating a harmonious living environment. Residents are welcome to discuss any general and personal matters with them.