The Most Outstanding PolyU Student of the Year
Muskan Sunish Shah
BA (Hons) in Fashion and Textiles (Retail and Marketing)
The Most Outstanding PolyU Student 2022/23
School of Fashion and Textiles
It gives me great honour and pleasure to be selected as The Most Outstanding PolyU Student of the 2022/23 academic year. My strong passion for fashion has developed since childhood, and I have gradually become more interested in sustainable fashion, which I believe will be a future trend.
At PolyU, I tried grasping every opportunity available to learn practical skills, acquire industry knowledge and expand my horizons through various extra-curricular activities, internships and competitions. As a Fellow of the Millennium Fellowship programme organised by the United Nations Academic Impact and Millennium Campus Network, I created an Instagram page called “Rethinking Fashion” with like-minded friends to explore the possibilities of utilising sustainable fashion for charitable causes. It was also a valuable opportunity to represent PolyU as a participant in the World Retail Congress – Future Retail Challenge in 2022 and 2023. Through internships at a non-government organisation and a well-known local department store, I have gained much understanding of the Hong Kong working landscape.
After graduation, I am eager to build the foundation of my career in sustainable fashion management here in Hong Kong. I am also considering pursuing an MBA degree in a few years to sharpen my business acumen, hopefully taking my career to the next level while also benefiting society.
Obtaining the President’s Distinguished Student Leadership Award has fuelled my desire to become a leader. This recognition will empower me to continue striving for self-improvement and pursuing excellence and success in my leadership journey.
As a PolyU student, I proactively pursued opportunities to enhance my leadership skills. As an entrepreneur, I founded Kard Nation to make a mark in the entertainment industry. For research and project management, I served as the project leader for the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme (URIS) and the PolyU Student Entrepreneurial Proof-of-Concept Funding Scheme. For community service, I was the principal of the Wellness Fund project, working to benefit over 200 PolyU professors and students. Additionally, I served as a PolyU Student Ambassador and a Bybit Ambassador, sharing my knowledge and experiences with younger generations.
In addition to my journey at PolyU, I gained valuable experience during my internships at HKEX, HKMC, Hang Seng Bank and other organisations. I am also committed to becoming a philanthropist and mentor. My volunteer work in India made me aware of the hardships faced by those living in poverty, which was a deeply moving experience. Through my participation in the "INSPIRE" Mentorship Programme and the CEO Shadowing Programme, I gained valuable insights from the guidance of my mentors.
In the future, I aspire to impart leadership skills to young people, fostering their community-oriented mindsets and encouraging kindness in them, thus promoting their career excellence.
Wendi PAN
SHTM’s inbound exchange student
(left in the back row)
I was lucky enough to be an exchange student at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of PolyU and have an enriching experience that left a lasting impact on my academic and personal growth. One of the highlights of my time here was the opportunity to meet new friends from diverse backgrounds, including my Korean roommate who ended up as my lifelong friend now. The professors at SHTM were not only knowledgeable but also passionate about their subjects. They went above and beyond to ensure our learning experience was engaging and thought-provoking. Field trips were an integral part of SHTM’s curriculum, offering invaluable hands-on opportunities. The field trip to the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Guangdong, China, remains one of the memorable experiences to me. These trips allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, gaining practical insights into the industry. Overall, my experiences as an exchange student at PolyU were fruitful, contributing to a well-rounded educational journey. I am truly grateful for it.
Peer Mentoring Scheme Participant
Rahat BATOOL
BSc (Hons) Scheme in Biomedical Engineering
(left in the photo)
My first year at PolyU was wonderful. The positive atmosphere on campus and the diverse community warmed my heart and broadened my perspectives. Participating in the Peer Mentoring Scheme was one of the enjoyable experiences. Among the highlights was a meticulously planned trip to Sha Tau Kok and the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. The trip deepened our understanding of Hong Kong’s rich heritage and provided an excellent platform to make like-minded new friends. The people here made me feel at home, and their warm welcome helped me settle in easily, for which I’m deeply grateful.
CHAN Ying Laam, Ada
Graduate of BA (Hons) in Social Work
Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
Awardee of The Outstanding Student Award 2017
To me, tertiary education is not only about qualifications, but also a chance to cultivate a global perspective and positive attitude towards life. The journey at PolyU transformed me! I used to focus on grades during sub-degree study, getting nervous easily with ups and downs in GPAs. I changed my mind gradually after I entered PolyU. Apart from acquiring knowledge, attaining experience through fruitful activities held in PolyU and outside Hong Kong is also vital. These activities broadened my horizons and widened my social circle. Being selected as the Outstanding Student in 2017 was a testament to my breakthrough and growth, which encourages me to strive for the best!
