Mr Lau Hiu-fung, a PolyU computing student, received rounds of applause when he received his first-class honour on stage at the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Engineering held on 3 November 2009. He has been on the Dean’s honours list for outstanding academic performance. He also won a gold award in the 2009 Amway Pan-Pearl River Delta Region Universities IT Project Grand Competition, and another gold award in the U-21 category of the Hong Kong RFID Awards 2009 with his final year project, RFID/SMS-based Flight Information and Advertisements System.

But what brings Hiu-fung most applause is not his achievements, but his indomitable spirit and efforts. This young man has been suffering from a disease that has caused his muscles to deteriorate to the point where he can barely move his limbs, but it has not dampened his passion for learning. He continues to pursue knowledge with enthusiasm and very hard work. Under the condition that he can move only a bit of his head and fingers, he completed his final year project, by sitting in front of the computer and tapping the keys on the keyboard with a pair of chopsticks. He never gives up, always giving his best.

He has earned the nickname “Hong Kong’s Stephen Hawking”. In this issue, we are very honoured to have Hiu-fung to talk with us.

Q: You were diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that causes heart function and muscles to deteriorate, when you were only eight years old, and then restricted to wheelchair when you were 12, how did you face this blow in life?

Hiu-fung: My physical disability does not make me feel that the world is all gloomy. I think everything has two sides, fortunate and not fortunate. I remember a teacher once told me that, there is a good side in everything. What’s most important is that we will be able to change our perspective.

Q: What difficulties do you encounter during your study?

I have difficulty in turning over pages in books, so I do much of my learning on a computer. My final year of study was very demanding because of the workload and the increased difficulty of the subjects.

Q: Did you enjoy your university study?

Yes, studying in university is like having a buffet, you can get whatever you want, by your efforts. University teaching encourages us to ask questions. I remember I stayed on campus talking to my professor until 11 pm one night.

Q: You’ve stood out above your classmates and gained the first-class honour, how did you achieve this?

Hiu-fung: I don’t think I’m better than other classmates, very often, we have to work on group projects, and team work is very important. I think I’m just the more fortunate one - I’ve many good friends and they are all very willing to help me.

Q: Your feelings about having all these honours and awards after the many years of hard work?

I am most grateful to my mother, for all the things she has done for me. Over the years, my mother has accompanied me to class, from morn till night. She has helped me to turn all the pages of my books. And during mid-night, she has to wake up to turn my body to soothe my pain. Without her help, I can’t even go to school, not to mention getting the first-class honour. I really want to say thank you to my mother, for her love and care.

Q: How do you overcome the many challenges in life?

All I can say is to try my best. This is a concept that my mother has taught me since I was young.

Q: What’s your dream?

My first dream was realized when I was admitted to PolyU to pursue a BSc degree in computing in 2006, after my study at John Kennedy Centre. I’ve had a strong interest in computers since I was young. My physical condition does not allow me to move around, but computers have allowed me to learn a lot of things.

Now, my dream is very simple. To live every day to the fullest. To live without regret every day.

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Sharings from …

His mother:
Hiu-fung has tried to make the most of his life. His achievement is the result of his hard work and talent, plus getting help from other people. For myself, I don’t think I’ve made any sacrifice. I’m an ordinary housewife, and taking care of my children is just my responsibility. We know that there is no way to cure him. All we want is for him to live every day happily.

Dr Henry Chan, Associate Professor of the Department of Computing, supervising Hiu-fung:
In my 11 years’ teaching, Hiu-fung is the smartest student I’ve ever seen.

I am also extremely impressed with his attitude. Despite how inconvenient it is for him to travel, he was never late for class.

He is hard working, attentive, always gives his best, and I think he is a role model for our students. I have great respect for him for his perseverance.

Ms Maria Wong, former Principal of Hong Kong Red Cross John Kennedy Centre, who attended the graduation ceremony of the Centre’s three former students, Hiu-fung, Daphnie Cheng and Chiu Chi-hang, at PolyU:
It was such a memorable moment to see these students march into another new chapter in their lives with dignity and achievement. Other than the students themselves, I think our society owes PolyU due respect for the many good things that PolyU has done for youngsters with special needs. I look forward to more innovative plans to involve more students with less abilities in the new era of the new academic structure 334!

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Upon graduation, Hiu-fung is now employed by PolyU’s Department of Computing as a project assistant, putting his knowledge to good use. Undaunted, unyielding, yet humbly accepts what life has offered him, and lives the most out of it -- Hiu-fung, PolyU’s pride.