As the 15th National Games approaches, Hong Kong Shue Yan University is proud to have 37 participants serving as “group volunteers” for the Basketball (Men’s U22) Competition. This diverse team includes university management, staff, students, and alumni, all working together to support the event.
Among them is Sociology alumnus Danny Au (Class of 1978), who returned to his alma mater to share his volunteer experiences. For Danny, it is a great honor to represent Shue Yan as a group volunteer. He looks forward to collaborating with fellow alumni and engaging with people from various cultural backgrounds — an experience he believes will be eye-opening. He encourages students to participate in volunteer work in their free time, not only to build confidence but also to discover and apply their strengths. Such experiences, he believes, help prepare students for careers anywhere and embody the enduring spirit of the university’s motto “Cultivating virtues of benevolence; broadening horizon and knowledge,” as established by founders Dr Henry Hu and Dr Chung Chi-yung.
Danny has maintained a connection with Shue Yan for over half a century. He fondly recalls his undergraduate years at the old Sing Woo Road campus in Happy Valley. Seeing today’s students at the modern Braemar Hill campus, he feels the university’s image has been revitalized. He advises students that while academic achievement is important, learning from everyday experiences and observations is equally valuable. He reminisces about how President Chung would often observe students through the windows — a subtle yet heartfelt gesture of care for their personal growth.
Reflecting on interpersonal relationships, Danny emphasizes that paying attention to small details in people’s behavior improves communication and teamwork — skills essential in any workplace. He encourages students to engage in team sports and activities, where collaboration and shared effort naturally foster interpersonal understanding. In life, he notes, mutual support matters more than winning or losing. This mindset, he says, helps individuals grow into better, more mature people.
