2014 Gala Dinner

May 30, 2014

Professor Lui Tai-lok Shares Insights on Needs of Young People with Program Mentors at TUF Gala Dinner

To the TUF program mentors, who are in the forefront of helping socially disadvantaged students with special learning needs; it was an invaluable opportunity to reflect on their efforts and explore new ideas effective in bringing about positive changes among the students.

At the TUF 2014 Gala Dinner on Friday, May 30, 2014; Professor Lui Tai-lok, head of Department of Sociology, University of Hong Kong; shared his insights on the needs of today’s young people. He also engaged in an on-stage dialogue; with two passionate TUF program mentors, Debbie Mak and Shirley Leung, during which they exchanged and explored ideas of effective ways to serve these students with special learning needs. (Click for the audio of speech of Professor Lui and audio of dialogue with the program mentors)

“It is a great advantage for TUF to be able to reach out to students outside of the classroom,” said Professor Lui. “It allows you more flexibility of activities to understand the students so as to help them find their interests and strengths.”

Lui also added that by offering students more exposure outside of school, program mentors helped expand their horizon and could encourage more proactive planning of their future.

In attendance at the event were over 60 partners and supporters of TUF; including representatives from the five secondary schools in which the TUF program is being implemented. It was also an occasion to celebrate the humble accomplishments of TUF; and an opportunity to thank those who had been walking with the organization since its inception three years ago.

“In the first year, we ventured out by ‘crossing the rivers through touching the stones’;” said Roger Ng, Ph.D, chairman of the board. “In the second year, we found our path and we are now confident that we are on the right track.”

“In the coming years, we shall consolidate our knowledge and experiences; as we find ourselves many steps closer to realizing our dream,” added Dr. Ng in talking about the future of the organization.

Besides listening to the expertise sharing of Professor Lui, guests to the event took the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-mind colleagues from different organizations on how to better serve the needs of students from families with limited resources.

It was an evening of inspiration and sharing; and an affirmation that TUF is not alone in this journey.