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Studious SGT graduates
 Adolf Leung outside his campus in Portsmouth |
Many Hong Kong people like to spend their leisure time on karaoke, the Internet, shopping, mahjong and other forms of relaxation. But not Chai Wan Patrol Sub-unit Team One Sergeant Adolf Leung who likes to keep his head in the study books.
He has just returned from a graduation ceremony marking the completion of his three-year part-time distance degree course on Policing and Police Studies at the University of Portsmouth.
He spent 15 to 20 hours a week studying for the degree on top of his police duties, and is now looking to pursue a degree in criminology.
"I like study and will continue the theory of life-long learning. It gives me the chance to experience and to explore my aptitudes and strengths," he said. "I spend my leisure time studying as it enriches my knowledge and that cannot be obtained elsewhere."
SGT Leung said he got the study bug as an adult as he did not have the opportunity to attain tertiary education in his younger years.
"I came from a poor family and had to work to support them so I started my police career in my early 20s. There are now many modes for post-secondary education for adults, such as part-time and distance learning courses. I therefore grasped the opportunity to continue to learn and seek self advancement," he said.
"I began the course in 1996 and in the early stages had to sacrifice most of my leisure time to allocate enough study time. As I was working shifts, I found it very difficult to focus. Fortunately I did not quit and after three years of endeavour and continuous hardship I finally finished the course in October last year. It was a real challenge and I learned to make careful plans in allocating my time. Graduating was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. No matter how difficult, I am willing to tackle it and get further satisfaction from learning."
Graduates not just from the United Kingdom, but also Japan and Singapore joined SGT Leung for the July 11 graduation ceremony at Portsmouth.