Several of Hong Kong’s top scorers of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme have said they plan to pursue further studies in the city, with medicine being their top choice and their motivation driven by a desire to give back to local communities.
At least 28 students in Hong Kong on Saturday attained a perfect score in the IB exams this year.
Of the four top scorers at the Diocesan Boys’ School (DBS), two said they chose to study locally to contribute to Hong Kong society as doctors.
Geoffrey Wong Ching-hei, who achieved the full 45 points, plans to study medicine at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). He said pursuing medicine in Hong Kong had long been his dream as he recognised the ample opportunities provided by local medical schools.
“Both the Chinese University and HKU have many very attractive opportunities for students … and the whole system of support they give their students,” the 18-year-old said.
“I would really, really want to use the knowledge I gained from medicine to help the people in Hong Kong.”
A difficult-to-treat infection also spurred Raymond Chan Kwok-wai, also from DBS and who achieved 44 points, to hope to become a doctor specialising in orthopaedics.
When he was only 10 months old, Raymond contracted Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a superbug that subsequently led to more than 16 years of treatment and a leg discrepancy that restricted his growth.
MRSA is a type of staph germ that can cause various infections, including skin and organ-specific infections.
During the pandemic, Raymond had to undergo a follow-up surgery. That experience inspired him to become an orthopaedic doctor in Hong Kong.
“I had to visit the hospital regularly … and that follow-up surgery really showed me how a doctor could comfort their patients and how their competence could mean a lot to the patients,” he said.
“If the doctor is competent, the patient will also feel a lot better. And I think that’s the key to being a doctor.”
Raymond’s experience getting treatment at a public hospital also instilled a desire to give back to the local community and help those facing similar illnesses.
“My doctor assisted me for like 17 years … And that relationship really meant a lot to me. I think that is what I want to achieve in the future – establishing a bond with my patients.”
At the Singapore International School, top scorers Christian Lu Cai and Martha Hung Wing-hay also plan to study medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Christian’s decision to study medicine stems from his background in volunteering and wanting to make a difference to society and those in need, while Martha hopes to follow in her family’s footsteps, coming from a family with a background in the medical field.
“I did a bunch of job shadowings with doctors. From that experience, I can see myself in this career path, and since a career can last you a lifetime, I want to do something meaningful for the community,” Christian said.
“From my volunteer experience, I’ve become more sensitive to people’s emotions and feelings, and understand how impactful it can be to give back and help those in need.”
But there were other high achievers who recognised the advantages of studying abroad.
Bernard Shiu Yu-hin from the Diocesan Boys’ School said that studying overseas at Cambridge would allow him to gain more exposure from international educators.
“Cambridge is one of the best universities in the world, especially in the humanities. And I particularly like Cambridge’s system of very close interactions between professors and students. I can really get more experience from these professors,” he said.
The number of Hong Kong’s Form Six graduates studying abroad has seen a decline of 25 per cent year on year, according to a government report released in May.
The figure is now at its lowest level since an official survey began 12 years ago, with experts attributing the number to students heading abroad earlier in their educational path and the vast offerings by local postsecondary institutions.
Additional reporting by James Modesto
