Primary School Experience Cultivates Lingnan Spirit - Selflessly Dedicates to Education Dr Peter Wong Pak-heung, though only spending a brief two years within the Lingnan Primary School, has fostered a profound and enduring connection with Lingnan. He has been upholding the belief of "persevere without fear of difficulties" along with enthusiastic senior alumni, tirelessly striving for the flourishing development of Lingnan. Since the early 1990s, he has taken on roles as a member of the Court and Council of Lingnan College, which subsequently became Lingnan University. Additionally, he served as a voluntary legal advisor to the early Lingnan University Alumni Association (Hong Kong) and held a directorship at the Lingnan Club for many years. In 2012, Lingnan University appointed Dr Wong as Honorary Court Member, in recognition of his contributions to the University and to society. Subsequently, in 2013, he was awarded Doctor of Laws honoris causa for his exceptional contributions to the education sector, also his dedicated service to Lingnan and society. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Lingnan Education Organization (LEO). He aspires for the spirit of Lingnan to remain ever-relevant, perpetuating the longstanding contributions of alumni to the continuous development of Lingnan's educational mission.
Fostering Intergenerational Friendships: Two Years of Hostel Life at Lingnan Primary School Growing up as a child in wartime, Dr Wong studied at a number of schools including St Paul’s Co-educational College, Lingnan Primary School and Wah Yan College. Although Dr Wong studied at Lingnan Primary School for only two years, hostel life allowed him to develop close friendships with his schoolmates, and beyond them, to develop a deep affection with Lingnan. Dr Wong reminisces, "While studying in the third and fourth grades at Lingnan Primary School in Hong Kong, I originally planned to attend Lingnan-affiliated Middle School in Guangzhou. However, due to its closure, I switched to Wah Yan College, an English-based college." In Guangzhou, the prestigious Lingnan-affiliated Middle School stood out as a competitive institution. Dr Wong’s uncle ardently recommended that he enrol there, convinced of the benefits it would bring in immersing Dr Wong in Chinese culture.
Even after more than 70 years, Dr Wong vividly recalls his two years of hostel life at Lingnan. He fondly recalls the small class sizes of around 30 students, where teachers and students interacted harmoniously, displaying great unity and camaraderie. Simple hostel life was filled with childhood joy. Simple games brought profound experiences and unforgettable memories. "My classmates loved walking on stilts while kicking them around. The mischievous buddies always tried to knock each other's stilts down." He recalls a classmate, Mr Chan, nicknamed Monk, who enjoyed keeping doves on campus, which the students loved to play with. To this day, Dr Wong remains in close contact with two cherished friends: Dr Cheung Wing Ching, now residing in Canada, whom they meet annually upon his return to Hong Kong, and Dr Patrick Po-kong Wu, former director of Wing Lung Bank. They share lunch every week, showcasing an enduring bond of friendship.
From Studying Law in UK to Establishing a Company: Supporting the Family Business After graduating from Wah Yan College in 1958, Dr Wong expressed an interest in pursuing legal studies. Following his family's guidance, he went to the UK, where he was admitted as a barrister in 1966 and began practicing in Hong Kong. However, his legal practice lasted only three years before he transitioned into entrepreneurship. Reflecting on his journey, “At that time, I had relatives involved in manufacturing and export trades. Observing the success of foreign companies in the export sector ignited a spark within me—why not establish my own export enterprise?" Drawing upon his familiarity with the UK, he established his own company, facilitating direct exports and freeing himself from the constraints imposed by foreign entities.”
The transition from a barrister to an entrepreneur for Dr Wong was far from easy or straightforward. Conducting business operations abroad presented difficulties like language and cultural disparities. He candidly acknowledged the challenges of this period, as he strove to balance the demands of his business while overcoming communication barriers with the global community. “Being taken advantage of in a foreign land was part of the reality; you need to accept it since you rely on foreigners for work. In addition to running my own business, I seldom allowed myself breaks, as I meticulously organized every aspect of my schedule. I was fortunate to have a FAX machine for work at that time. Before that, communication involved writing telegrams by hand or using a typewriter. The most challenging times were during peak sales seasons, requiring me to travel to multiple countries in a single day, such as Germany, France, and others. Each day was filled with intensive and exhausting schedules.” Wholeheartedly Serving Lingnan In 1966, upon his return to Hong Kong from the UK, Dr Wong found himself among a group of dedicated senior alumni actively working towards the revival of Lingnan College. "I was fortunate to engage with esteemed alumni such as Mr. Tong Tin-sun, BA, LL.B., JP , Mr Wong Hoo-chuen, Mr Chan Tou-suen, JP, Mr Lee Hak-kan, and others. Upon my return, they warmly embraced me due to my relative youth. Together with Dr Patrick Po-kong Wu, we delved into the preparations, fuelled by the seniors' guidance, all united in the pursuit of Lingnan's prosperity.” Living up to the expectations of the senior alumni, Lingnan College officially opened on 9 September 1967, marking a new beginning for the re-establishment of Lingnan University in Hong Kong.
In 1978, Lingnan College was approved for registration as a tertiary institution, and began offering government-funded courses. By July 1999, the Legislative Council of the HKSAR passed the "Lingnan University Ordinance", officially conferring university title to Lingnan, thus opening a glorious chapter in the development of Lingnan education. “In 1992, Dr. Chiu Hin-kwong became affiliated with the Council Chairman of Lingnan. I was asked and persuaded to be the Chairman of Lingnan Education Organization in 1998. For for many years, as a new university, there were a lot of dealings and donations to handle. Luckily with the help of the senior Lingnan alumni the outcome was satisfactory, I was very pleased.” Dr Wong witnessed the changes and growth of Lingnan education, following in the footsteps of many senior alumni, dedicating most of his energy and time to its. He shared that the senior alumni spared lots of effort in participating in audit work, to ensure a smooth transition to university status, making significant contributions to Lingnan's development and transformation. "I remember the day the Lingnan University Ordinance was passed, Dr Chiu was inside the Legislative Council, everyone gathered outside was very nervous, fearing it might not pass. In those days before the advent of mobile phones, I and other senior alumni were waiting at the Jockey Club restaurant, ready to assist if needed."
To this day, the senior alumni remain deeply connected to Lingnan, hoping that the new generation of Lingnanians will carry the torch forward. "On the first Wednesday of each month, Dr. Chan Pun David (son of Mr. Chan Tak Tai) meets with the Executive Committee of the Lingnan Educational Organization to discuss Lingnan-related affairs. Some new members are Lingnan College graduates, and we're seeing more from Lingnan University. Welcoming new Lingnanians is vital for our ongoing journey. As we grow older, it's time for us to step back gradually."
Dr Wong holds a deep bond with Lingnan, cherishing his ties to his alma mater as a significant part of his life. Stepping onto the grounds of Lingnan felt like coming home to a tight-knit family of fellow Lingnanians. Although he stepped down as Chairman of the Lingnan Educational Organization a few years ago, he remains actively engaged in various projects. Whether at grand university events or cozy alumni gatherings, his unwavering support shines through. We believe that Dr Wong's commitment to society and education can inspire a new generation of Lingnanians to embrace our heritage, unite in purpose, and propel our alma mater towards a brighter future.
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