Award-winning Lingnan student develops learning app for special needs students
About six hundred Lingnan students at different levels and from different disciplines won both external and internal accolades on their academic achievements and contributions to society. Among these is an animation and digital arts student for outstanding leadership and as a young advocate for equal education opportunities.
The annual Awards Presentation Ceremony was held by Lingnan University on 15 April, and there was a full house of senior university management, donors, and supporters, as well as student recipients and members of staff. This year, over 950 scholarships and awards were presented, with a total value of HK$24 million.
In his welcoming remarks, Lingnan President Prof S. Joe Qin said he is happy to see more and more young Lingnanians carrying on the persevering spirit of their predecessors as they reflect the glory of their success. He quoted the school motto “Education for Service” to encourage students to seize “the power of education to transform our lives and the lives of those in need.”
President Qin addresses the Awards Presentation Ceremony 2023/24.
Also speaking at the ceremony, final-year awardee Yolanda Ko Shuen from the Department of Digital Arts and Creative Industries stressed how much the university and donors’ generosity makes her realise the value and importance of their contribution to society, saying “This intimate learning environment has given me a rich and engaging educational experience.”
Yolanda has received a Chow Pak Choi Scholarship, a For Our Future Scholarship, and a Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme - Outstanding Performance Scholarship.
Yolanda expresses her gratitude to donors on behalf of the scholarship recipients for their staunch support of Lingnan students’ personal growth and whole-person development.
Yolanda’s keen interest in education encouraged her to create a mobile learning app for students with special educational needs (SEN) and learning difficulties. She plans to use her aptitude and skill in digital technologies to make teaching fun and improve students’ learning outcomes, promoting equality and inclusivity in education.
“I believe every student should have an equal opportunity to receive quality education. Innovations in animation and digital arts can provide students with more learning resources.” Yolanda had been volunteering at the Principal Chan Free Tutorial World, where free learning support is offered to underprivileged children with financial difficulties or special educational needs.
Yolanda emceed last year’s Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony and Installation of President, where she demonstrated great strength of character and spoke very well.
Not only does Yolanda excel academically, but she has also demonstrated leadership as captain of Lingnan’s fencing team, bringing home the Women’s Most Valuable Player title, and as Master of Ceremonies at university events.
“I will continue to concentrate on education, and go on contributing to other students and to society,” she said.
Yolanda (right) recently receives the For Our Future Scholarship 2023/24 from the Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation.