惠及社會的初心

教育足以影響一個人的氣質和內在，不少新傳人如陳卓禧都說：「在中大，有幾個學科的學生最容易辨認，其中一個是新傳。」現為港專學院校長的陳卓禧從事高等教育管理工作逾三十年，他希望以教育成就學子，正因深知其重要性。

離陳卓禧本科畢業已四十載，但他講起當時仍歷歷在目。他笑言在新傳得著甚多，試過在完成實習刊物《新沙田》採訪時，與老師「唱反調」，如今回想卻發現這是在新傳培養的珍貴特質之一，「不是說要『包拗頸』，但新傳教會我們要獨立思考，不論說話的人是誰，都不應全盤接受，要對內容的真確性存疑。」其次是明辨思維，「當時老師教我們採訪就說，你要有一個好的新聞故事，前提是要懂得問一個好問題，而問題好壞取決於思考的深度和質素。我覺得這些於我是畢生受用的。」

他秉承本科新聞訓練，畢業後成為記者，在無綫新聞部任職近七年，採訪過的報導多不勝數。1993年他卻轉換跑道，毅然加入港專至今。陳卓禧回憶當記者的經歷，表示每當報導令一些議題受到關注，繼而對社會產生正面影響，「會有一種發自內心的愉快」；只是也有無力的時候，「以牌局為例，記者始終是旁觀者，當玩家不聽從你的建議出牌，持份者不願推動變革的話，你也無計可施。」

他希望成為局內人，藉教育影響莘莘學子，「當看到一些年輕人本來漫無目的，但來到港專後，真的可以升讀大專，又或有一定發展，於我而言這份快樂很深刻。」陳卓禧說，教育和新聞行業都涉及公眾利益，他在此均得到滿足感，「我希望惠及社會，這與我做新聞記者的初心是一脈相承。」

簡介：
陳卓禧，1985年於香港中文大學新聞與傳播本科畢業，曾擔任無綫新聞部公共事務科記者，現為香港專業進修學校及港專學院校長。

A Lifelong Commitment to Benefiting Society

Education shapes both character and spirit. As Chan Cheuk-hay and many other journalism graduates often observe: “At CUHK, you can spot students from certain programmes a mile away—journalism students are definitely one of them.” Now President of HKCT Institute of Higher Education, Chan has devoted over thirty years to higher education management, driven by his deep understanding of education’s transformative power and his commitment to nurturing students.

Four decades after graduation, Chan’s memories of university remain crystal clear. He chuckles when recalling how much he gained from his journalism studies, particularly remembering the time he “butted heads” with his teachers after interviews for the student publication New Shatin. Today, he recognizes this as one of the programme’s most valuable lessons. “It wasn’t about being contrary for the sake of it. Journalism taught us to think independently—to question everything, regardless of the source. We learned never to accept information at face value, but always to examine its truth.” Equally important was developing critical thinking. “Our teachers always told us that a good news story starts with a good question, and good questions come from deep, quality thinking. These skills have served me my entire career.”

True to his journalism training, Chan became a reporter after graduation, spending nearly seven years at TVB’s news department and covering countless stories. But in 1993, he made a bold career pivot, joining Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) where he has remained ever since. Reflecting on his reporting days, Chan recalls the deep satisfaction he felt whenever his stories brought important issues to light and sparked positive social change—”there was this genuine joy that came from within.” Yet he also experienced frustration. “Think of it like a card game—reporters are always on the sidelines. When the players ignore your advice or stakeholders resist change, your hands are tied.”

Chan wanted to move from the sidelines to center court, using education to make a direct impact on young lives. “When I see students who once lacked direction find their path at HKCT—whether advancing to higher education or building meaningful careers—that brings me profound joy.” For Chan, both education and journalism serve the public good, and both have given him deep fulfillment. “My goal has always been to benefit society. That core mission hasn’t changed since my reporting days.”

Profile:
Chan Cheuk-hay graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Communication from The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1985. He previously served as a reporter in TVB’s Public Affairs Division and currently serves as President of Hong Kong College of Technology and HKCT Institute of Higher Education.