FADE IN.
Act 1
INT. SITTING ROOM - DAY
PETER is reading a mail on phone screen with the caption: The beginning of a new academic year.
PETER (V.O.): It's a communication from the Dean of Harvard Kennedy School.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've been included in the School's alumni network since 2003 . I always enjoy reading the positive and inspiring communications.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Through teaching, research and engagement with practitioners, the School aims to make public policy and leadership better.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, there's now a virtual Kennedy School. It isn't a replication of the in-person learning experience, but a creative way to achieve the education mission.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's interesting. How would it be like?
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): The Dean assures that all will have an exceptional learning experience this fall.
Recalling.
Act 2
INT. SITTING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
FLASHBACK
INT. HOME - DAY (Late August, early 1960s)
Peter (6-12) is working hard on a workbook.
PETER (V.O.): Sept 1 is approaching. I always do all my summer-holiday homework at the end of August.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Although it's tough, I always complete them.
END FLASHBACK
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That was one of the reasons I wasn't admitted to Hong Kong University after matriculation.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was working part-time to support myself. I didn't have the money to pay for overseas examinations, not to mention studying overseas.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Then, the principal of the secondary school I worked with from 1973-1974 enlightened me about the London U external degree programme.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having satisfied the entrance requirements, I was registered as an External Student of London U's BA in Philosophy in Autumn 1976.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What I got from London U was a booklet of titles of books and articles to read. The next thing I needed to do was to sit the degree examinations in 1981.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): So from 1976-1981, I bought all the relevant philosophy books that I could buy. I read them and tried to discern the knowledge system. I practised answering past degree examination questions.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Throughout my 5 years of self-study, I was looking forward to sitting the degree examinations. They were the only opportunities I could "interact" with somebody about what I had learned.
FLASHBACK
INT. HOME - NIGHT (1981)
Returning home, Peter sees a thick letter from London U.
PETER (V.O.): Could this be the external degree examinations results?
Opening the envelop solemnly, Peter begins to read.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the papers list all those External Students who have passed London U's external degree programmes. Let me find the part on BA in Philosophy.
Reading.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, I couldn't find my name in the Pass List. Oh, some get honours.
Peter reads the few names in the 3rd-class honours section.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): They've learned well. I should have studied smarter.
Peter begins to read the very few names in the 2nd-class lower-division honours section.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Is that me? Cheung Kam fai?
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Really? Can I believe my eyes?
RETURN TO PRESENT
Act 3
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): In a split second, I've become a university graduate. It's still one of the happiest moments of my life.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That was how I learned without any in-person learning experience.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): That's why when I became an Internal Students at HKU and London U, I just focused on studying, learning the most from professors.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Having interacted with Harvard Kennedy School professors in the Senior Executive Fellows program in fall 2003, I've become very confident in public policy and leadership matters.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I did apply what I had learned in public sector governance especially when I became the first lawyer-director of Hong Kong, China's Intellectual Property Department.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And now, as a Council Member of HKUST, I'll continue to deliver value particularly in its governance.
Checking diary.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've meetings on HKUST matters in coming weeks.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For non-tertiary education in Hong Kong, China, Sept 1 has been the commencement date of the Autumn semester.
Peter surfs the web.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): This year, Harvard's new academic year begins on Sept 2, while HKUST on Sept 7.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's September again.
FADE OUT.
THE END

Comments