Student Reporter: Cheng Yung Wai Avril (COMM/2)
English Translation by Lee Pui Yee Ruby (English/4)

Professor So Wai Man graduated in 1988 and has held notable positions in both the political arena and academia. He was the former Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, HKSAR Government. He also served as Associate Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dean of School of Business, The Heng Seng University of Hong Kong, and Dean of School of Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Baptist University. Currently, he is the Principal of the VTC Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge (PEAK). In his leisure time, Professor So utilises his expertise as a public intellectual, writing columns for newspapers that foster public discussion. 

Mr Simon K C Lee, Vice-Chairman of the College Board of Trustees (3^rd right); Mr Mingles M T Tsoi, Vice Council Chairman of the UCAA (3^rd left);  Professor Tsang Faye S Y Tsang, Associate Dean of Students (2^nd right); Professor Tse Chi Shing, Associate Dean of Students (2^nd left);  Dr Leung Tak Wah, Associate Dean of General Education (far right), and Dr Tony M H Chan, College Secretary (far left) took a group photo with Professor So Wai Man (centre).

Childhood Experiences Inspire a Big Heart to Give Back

Professor So was a student at Hiu Ming Primary School. Back then, the school was on the rooftop, with no regular classroom, and classes were also conducted in secret. As a little boy growing up in Yau Tong, going to Kwan Tong – just two MTR stations away – felt like a bumpkin’s walk into the city for him. After becoming a CUHK student, having his own space brought him the greatest joy and comfort. Library has always been his favourite place, as books offer him spiritual richness. University education helped him think from multiple perspectives, and returning to United College feels like coming back to a second home. He chuckled that although many students do not like dining at UC can, meals there carry a taste of nostalgia for him. On campus, the scene where every student dresses plainly, holding identical bowls in the dining hall, is the best embodiment of equality. Professor So recalls that he only had two ties when he graduated: one was a black tie he bought himself, and the other was the United College tie. He always enjoys his time on campus, as it constantly reminds him to return to simplicity.

Today, Professor So is the Principal of the VTC Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge. He treats his students, all of whom he believes are the pioneers of the future, as if they were his own children. University students, aged around 18-22, not only bring vitality onto the campus but also motivate Professor So to work hard and share experiences with them. Furthermore, through active participation in CUHK and UC activities, he hopes to pass on his knowledge to inspire more lives.

Driven by a Strong Sense of Mission

Professor So’s humility is well exemplified by his involvement in politics. Appointed as Under Secretary for Transport and Housing, HKSAR Government in 2017, he handled issues related to the three Road Harbour Crossings and the congestion at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. “When scholars take on political roles, they can only bite the bullet.” Although the policy once sparked public sentiment, Professor So believes it was simply because he did not meet the public’s expectations. Therefore, he is willing to embrace all criticism, believing that his sincerity will ultimately be appreciated. Even if the beneficiaries do not show their gratitude directly, knowing that he can make people’s lives easier is fulfilling enough. What supports Professor So is not economic incentives, but a sense of mission.

Apart from his full-time job, Professor So publishes a column in the Hong Kong Economic Journal every Saturday and has authored books in the finance field. He hopes to share his knowledge and thoughts through his writing as a way to contribute to society, finding joy in the challenging process of publishing. In recent years, the rise of new media has allowed everyone to express their opinions online, prompting Professor So to adapt the way he communicates with the public. However, he still prefers to use newspapers as his medium. Unlike YouTube and other new platforms, newspapers are not bound by the echo chamber effect or algorithms. In the past, he mainly shared professional knowledge, but now he focuses on expressing personal views, hoping to influence public opinion and prevent people from simply going with the flow. He puts strenuous effort into crafting every column, spending over ten hours preparing each one. Instead of relying solely on sensory perception or intuition, he conducts extensive research before putting pen to paper.

Professor So encourages students to become more aware of social issues. Although information is more accessible today, it is still important to maintain a critical mindset to embody social justice and fulfill civic responsibilities.