Bulletin No. 1, 2013

Let’s Build a Bridge 27  medicine and health science. Stephen also holds an LLM from the Renmin University of China. After graduating from CUHK in 1984, he did not sit for his accounting certificate. Instead, he became a social worker, and two years later, joined a Japanese company. After nearly 20 years in the business world, he quit his job in 2004 to study, travel and do volunteer work. He now works as a volunteer to a youth development scheme in Sichuan Province. ‘Many people say I’ve retired, but in fact, I haven’t. I’ve only been doing work that does not revolve around money,’ Stephen clarified. Stephen’s involvement with Wu Zhi Qiao began when he made the acquaintance of Ms. Leonie Ki, honorary secretary of the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Charitable Foundation, while studying for his EMBA. She told him about the foundation’s work and he became involved in 2009. One of the benefits of the project was it allowed him to gain a better understanding of the mindsets of students. The bridges made life easier for villagers, but what Stephen also appreciated was the rare chance it offered Hong Kong and mainland students to work together as a team. ‘I think that it gives Hong Kong students a better grasp of the situation in China. And because they are faced with a real-life problem that can’t be solved with a couple of theories, they have to think of a feasible solution. This trains them to be objective.’ With different degrees under his belt, Stephen said they allow him to view problems from multiple angles. He encourages young people to study as much as they can. ‘Acquiring knowledge in different areas will bring great changes. You will be more adaptable to shifts in your environment.’