William Lai

Interview with Ms Phyllis Chan and Mr Dino Wong from the SDO

Feb 262018

The years that students spend in College can be one of the most exciting and rewarding periods of their lives. They are able to pursue the subjects they love and find a new level of freedom and trust from their teachers. However, they can be stressful and tumultuous (混亂的) years as well, full of changes, and often students need help, advice or just a reminder that there are people who care about their wellbeing.

With that in mind, the following interview is for anyone who may be dealing with negative thoughts, social anxiety (社交焦慮), or trauma (心理創傷), or for anyone who knows someone who might be. When depression (抑鬱), isolation (孤獨) or grief (悲傷) appear, it can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to make it easier

In this episode, our student interviewers, Danny and Keith, speak to Phyllis and Dino from the Student Development Office (SDO) about these issues, and discuss ways to either cope (應付) oneself, or help someone else.

They speak about common misconceptions (誤解) around depression, such as the feeling that “it’s all my fault” or that you are alone in feeling this way. Of course, many people struggle with negative thoughts, but some are better at hiding it. The message here is: You are not alone. These are common feelings. Seeking help can be a little scary, though, as it means admitting (承認) something is wrong. Sometimes, the hardest thing is trusting someone else enough to be honest.

Many students will experience hardship or loss, and may not have the supports in place to help them work through it. Phyllis suggests three things to help work through these difficult times: staying connected to other people, physical exercise, and getting enough sleep.

In addition to these three habits, seeking help from trained professionals is usually helpful. Students are encouraged to visit the Student Development Office at LW113 or write them at dilwl-sdo@vtc.edu.hk if they ever feel the need for a helping hand, or just a confidential (機密的) conversation. Students who would like to help are also strongly encouraged to ask about the Peer Counselor Training Program, where they can learn how to best support friends and fellow students.

Asked for any final advice they might have for students who are dealing with negative feelings, Dino repeats a simple maxim:

Pain is short. Life is long. You are strong.

Young people often worry that the way they feel now will be the way they will always feel. It may take time, work and patience, but there is a way to find happiness again.

We sincerely thank everyone involved with this interview for taking the time to discuss the important topic of mental health, and remind students to reach out and ask for help when things get tough. We all need help sometimes. You are not alone.

Special thanks to our DJs:

Danny Kong (DE114104-2F) HD in Digital Music and Media

Castro, Keith Cyrus Angeles (DE114104-2F) HD in Digital Music and Media

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Interview with Mr Flansco Yan from the SEN Teaching Support Team

Uncategorized No Responses »

Nov 272017

This is a very special program today, as our energetic and charismatic student host, Danny, sits down with Mr. Flansco Yan from the SEN Teaching Support Team of the Principal’s Office to discuss issues related to students with disabilities. Many students in Hong Kong cope with physical disabilities, behavioural disorders, or developmental or emotional issues. These issues can make school life, an already stressful and sometimes frustrating experience, even tougher. In turn, our teachers and staff have the difficult job of trying to look out for every student and anticipate how to support them individually.

In this interview, Danny and Mr. Yan discuss several of the impairments our students are living with, and suggest strategies for peers and teachers to effectively help friends and students who might be struggling a little bit harder in a world often designed for just one type of person.

They begin their conversation by considering some of the more common conditions and disabilities the SDO encounters, such as dyslexia, motor and hearing impairment, and Asperger’s and autism.

From there, they discuss the importance of “peer support” – that is, students supporting other students – and Mr. Yan mentions that the SDO actually runs programs that can train students to become Peer Counsellors. Most people are more comfortable talking to friends than teachers, counsellors, or even parents, so it’s good to know how to help when our friends and classmates reach out to us.

Mr. Yan then gives advice to teachers, in terms of how they can better accommodate the range of needs present in the classroom, including before and after lessons. So, teachers: Listen up!

Mr. Yan then shares a nice analogy when Danny asks about the similarities between students: Essentially, we’re not all the same, and that’s a good thing. According to an old Chinese expression, every finger on your hand has a different size, shape, and strength, but each has something special it can do, and each one is necessary for your hand to function. Similarly, while students may have deficits in one area, in another area they might be uniquely gifted, and sometimes those gifts will only be revealed when everyone works together.

The interview ends with some stories of the positive outcomes Mr. Yan has witnessed (and helped bring about). However, he is clear-eyed about the fact that successes come and go, and it is important to always be turning to those next to us and asking ourselves, again and again, if we can help.

Special thanks to our student DJ:
Danny KONG (DE114104-2F) HD in Digital Music and Media

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Emerging Design Talents 2015 : SOAR

School event 1 Response »

Jul 022015

So here comes the Graduation Show of HKDI and IVE (LWL) which is inarguably the most vibrant and celebrated event of the year. Our campus is renowned for its diversity of professional arenas with HD programmes from jewellery engineering to film and television. Perfectly complementing with this year’s theme, our team is going to show the “Emerging Talents” of our students with close-up interviews.

Information Technology

IELTS high-achiever, Leung Kin Lok Tim, does not only shine in English language, but is also gifted in creating video games. His “Verge of Hell” reminds us of the 80s in remaking vintage video games for children’s exploration of this seemingly unfamiliar world.

Leung Kin Lok Tim (HD in Digital Entertainment)
Name of work: Verge of Hell

Design Foundation Studies

Lee Sze Yu Cathy, who labelled herself as a shy and timid girl, tries to accomplish a personal breakthrough by approaching boys on the street for their telephone numbers. Later, their communication through instant messengers was duly recorded and displayed in her exhibit “Am I accostable?”.

Lee Sze Yu Cathy (HD in Visual Arts and Culture)
Name of work: Am I accostable?

Engineering Management and Technology

Not many people spotted that Ngai Yin Fan Kim and Ngai Yin Fong Yanie are actually sisters as they claim that they don’t look alike, yet they surely share the resemblance in having immense interests and talents in Jewellery Design. Added to the point is that they coincidentally chose the ocean as their themes with their inspiration from sea creatures.

Ngai Yin Fong Yanie (HD in Jewellery Design and Technology)
Name of work: My Little Secret

Ngai Yin Fan Kim (HD in Jewellery Design and Technology)
Name of work: Octopus and You

Fashion and Image Design

Fashion Design student, Wong Wai Yin Valerie, kindly agreed to be our guest interviewer in digging out the secret messages behind Leung Chi Yan Katt and Fu Po Yee Bowie’s works. Elusive it seems to be, Katt’s “In Between” employs the optical relationship of mirrors in showing people’s completed faces even though they might dislike each other. Bowie’s “Find Your Way” explores busy city inhabitants’ necessities and desires with the use of directional transportation to indicate that in the event of adverse situation, people must change themselves.

Leung Chi Yan Katt (HD in Fashion Image Design)
Name of work: In Between

Fu Po Yee Bowie (HD in Fashion Image Design)
Name of work: Find Your Way

Communication Design and Digital Media

The Film and Television Trio, which comprises Tsang Sin Sze Cecil, Ho Tsun Fung Willis, and Law Tsz Hin Alex, was more than grateful to share with us their insights in Film-making. The theme of the Film Show, “All-In!”, signifies their devoted dedication in making their exhibition as successful as possible. “The Walled City” serves as a signature dish of the show which takes the remnants of old Hong Kong in creating a new world.
Ho Tsun Fung Willis, Tsang Sin Sze Cecil, Law Tsz Hin Alex (HD in Film and Television)
Name of work: The Walled City and All-In! – The Film Show

Interviewers:

Wong Wai Yin Valerie (FID)
Steve Ho
Carrie So

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VTC-ITE International Student Seminar 2015

Education, School event No Responses »

Jun 162015

15 – 17 June 2015

As an international event started in 2007 and jointly hosted by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) of Singapore on a biennial basis, our overseas friends and our students gathered at HKDI this year again for The International Student Seminar (ISS). The seminar aims to provide participating students with a platform to exchange ideas on global issues through diversified activities including presentations, exhibitions, performances and cultural/ industrial visits. Over 600 participants took part in the ISS in Hong Kong between 15 and 17 June 2015.

Radio 708 team walked around the campus on the second day of the event and interviewed some vibrant and energetic students. Let’s hear how they feel about this exciting event and Hong Kong.

Students of Shenzhen Polytechnic: 張煒發, 吳祥龍, 朱兆麟, 莊雯芳

Students of HKDI: Chris, Ken, Yannie, Sally, Bowie

Students of NIT (Japan): Shinkawa, Fukazawa, Ogata, William

Students of ITE(Singapore): Kuai, Haziq

Finland (Exchange Student of Shenzhen Polytechnic): Sarianne “Sarah” Vihakara

Ukraine (Exchange Student of Shenzhen Polytechnic): Andrey Konkov

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香江之聲

Culture, Language learning, School life No Responses »

Jun 052015

相信很多人都有離開家鄉到外地讀書的經歷。每當回想起那段時光，你的心情是怎樣的？你是否還記得初到異地時內心的不安和惶恐？你是否還能回憶起因為語言不通而造成的誤會和尷尬？隨著時間的流逝，相信留在記憶中更多的是下雨天陌生人幫你撐起的一把傘；或是生病時室友端到你面前的一碗熱騰騰的麺。獨立學習生活的經歷使我們成長，豐富了我們的人生。

時下，越來越多的內地學生選擇到香港升學，他們會面對怎樣的困難和挑戰呢？本期節目的嘉賓莉莉和秀秀將與聽眾一起分享她們求學香港的喜怒哀樂。

嘉賓：

黃秀秀江西人，HKDI時裝設計科二年級畢業生，來港時間：7年。

孫莉莉山東人，HKDI視覺傳意科一年級學生，來港時間：1年。

主持人：

劉詩言 HKDI視覺傳意科二年級畢業生

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明日之星——劉詩言

Chinese literature, Rising Stars 3 Responses »

Mar 042015

本期的明日之星是一位才女。

劉詩言是一個堅強獨立、才華橫溢的女生，這個十五歲就離開家人來到香港獨自生活的重慶女孩目前就讀於HKDI視覺傳意系二年級。

她從小學習國畫、素描、藝術體操、二胡和鋼琴，家人的培養奠定了她的藝術氣質。

生活照3

酷愛旅行和寫作的詩言在我校2014年攝影寫作比賽和NowTV校園明信片寫作大賽中均奪得冠軍。

詩言攝影寫作比賽的獲獎作品

詩言NowTV校園明信片寫作大賽奪冠作品

關於未來，這個小女生有著大大的夢想，她希望自己的作品不只停留於視覺表面，而是能真正幫助人們去滿足需求。她相信只有50%的實踐加上50%的知識才能讓自己立足社會。

本期明日之星主持人：

工商管理學系林睿婷杜德榮

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Meeting “The Internationals”

Uncategorized No Responses »

Feb 022015

In a hilarious 3-on-3 interview, our local students pick the brains of some of our International students.

In the interview below, Angus, Mercury and Kinky (three local students) sit down with Vivek, Aurelia and Kyra (three international students) for a conversation that surely holds the Radio 708 record for most laughs per minute.

It’s perhaps no surprise that the life of an International student at HKDI-LWL has some unique challenges, and our local interviewers do a wonderful job of discovering how life is different for non-local students. At the same time, the International students are not shy about turning the tables and getting the interviewers to open up as well.

What unfolds is a funny and freewheeling conversation where we discover that local and non-local students have far more in common with each other than might be expected.

There is some talk at the beginning of the interview about how local students might be nervous to chat with International students because they are afraid their English might not be good enough. As Vivek, Aurelia and Kira point out, they too are intimidated to speak in Cantonese for the same reasons. What this interview demonstrates is that it’s important to just start the conversation. Very likely, the person who you thought was so different from you will be happy you said hello (or “néih hóu”), and you might just make lifelong friend. At the very least, it is an opportunity to learn and, as Angus puts it, “broaden your horizons.”

Kira, Kinky, Mercury, Angus, Aurelia and Vivek

Kyra, Kinky, Mercury, Angus, Aurelia and Vivek

Some of the topics covered here include: where to find authentic international food; the benefits of having local friends; differences in how local and non-local students spend their free time; who is dating who; and, whether Angus does or does not in fact have “MK” style (he insists he does not), among many others.

It’s a truly funny and entertaining interview. Many thanks and congratulations to the interviewers for their hard work on this program, and of course our great appreciation on their behalf to our three International students for being such game subjects and being so willing to share.

It is our genuine hope that this conversation might encourage both local and non-local students to begin more conversations with each other. There’s nothing to lose, and these students show us just how much there can be to gain. “International” simply means “between countries”, after all. No person or place is truly international except in that moment when they reach out to what lies beyond the familiar. It’s in that small, brave act that we make the whole world our shared home.

Thanks to all involved:

Interviewers -

WONG Tsz Hei Angus (PID)

CHENG Nga Man Mercury (PID)

POON Chung Ting Kinki (PID)

Interviewees -

Vivek Vijayan (PID)

Laksmana Aurelia Giovanni (CDM)

Apo Kyra Lan (PID)

© Radio 708, 2015

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Info Day 2014

Uncategorized 2 Responses »

Dec 152014

Info day at HKDI/LWL is almost like a carnival. More so than probably any other campus, we are able to display a truly fascinating range of projects, products, activities and research. As in years past, the public came in great numbers as we opened our doors. For hour after hour on Friday and Saturday, our campus was buzzing with activity, as tourists, locals, alumni and others were welcomed by our wonderful students. For their part, the students entertained and taught visitors about their respective programs, and made their teachers and themselves proud.

Throughout the festivities, the CDM department welcomed visitors with great music.

On Saturday, we took some time to get to know some of those students. Below you can listen to conversations from students representing several departments. They talk about the challenges they’ve encountered and the goals they’ve accomplished so far. They also share their dreams for the future.

Ronald Suen, a CDM student who has already started his own production company, “Virgarious”.

First, we speak to Ronald Suen. Although he is still studying, he is already preparing for his life after graduation. Not only does he make and play music himself (he describes himself as a “Metalhead”), but he also works with filmakers and musicians from here in Hong Kong and from the United States, as well as having recently helped establish the production companies, Virgarious and StuDuo.

Paul and Vincent, helping to make Hong Kong a more livable city.

Next we spoke to Paul and Vincent, two students who have been studying Landscape Architecture, which falls under the umbrella of the PID department. They explain how they came to love this field, and their hope for designing a greener, more natural Hong Kong. Both are on track to continue their studies after graduation, possibly via the SHAPE top-up degree program.

Aries is currently hard at work on her Final Year Project, based on a theme of Surrealism.

Ada and Peach are FID students focusing on Styling and Photography.

Next, we headed to the eighth floor to catch up with some fashion students. Aries, who is studying Makeup and Hairstyling, and Ada and Peach, who are Styling and Photography students, told us about their experiences so far at HKDI/LWL. They all cited the amount of collaboration, with both teachers and other students, as one of the most valuable aspects of their education here. As it happens, students from these two streams will work together on their final year project, with each contributing in their area of expertise to make a fully realized creation.

Kiyan hopes to someday become a fashion magazine editor.

On the seventh floor, we met Kiyan, a first-year Fashion Branding and Buying student, who already has big dreams of becoming a fashion magazine editor. She told us honestly about her inital struggles with the change from secondary school to HKDI/LWL, especially with regards to deadlines. However, it was clear in speaking to her that Kiyan is an incredibly bright and ambitious student. There’s little doubt that she will find success in the future, as long as she keeps winning her fights with deadlines!

Our final stop was on the fifth floor, where we met up with three students manning the Publication Design and Print Media display. South, Michael and Howard all came to this field of study for different reasons, and all plan to pursue different careers afterwards. This fact is testament to the collaborative and dynamic nature of studying here. They are all able to use their various talents to work together.

Howard, South and Michael: educating, entertaining, and trying to stay warm.

As well, representatives from the Language Center met with students from all departments. Together they had a lively discussion about their life on campus and their plans for the future.

Members of the English and Putonghua teams chat with students during the “What a Campus!” event.

As usual, Info Day proved to be an exciting and thought-provoking affair. Teachers and students proudly explained the fruits of their hard work to the public and to each other. We were happy to be able to document it in part. There was simply too much to fit into a single radio program. We therefore urge any students or teachers who we didn’t get to speak to to get in touch and let us help you share your passion in a future episode.

Listen to the full program below. Thanks to all students and staff who were involved! Until next year!

Ronald Suen (CDM)

Chan Lok Wing (Paul) & Ho Fan Ho (Vincent) (PID)

Wu Kam Wing (Aries), Ada Yip & Peach Wan (FID)

Ng Ki Yan (Kiyan) (FID)

Ko Man Wun (South), Ho Sheung Fai (Howard) & Lam Yu Hong (Michael) (PID)

Facebook: Post by Radio 708.

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Michael’s Italian Lesson

Uncategorized 1 Response »

Nov 112014

In this, our first video episode of Radio 708, PC Michael sits down with our students to teach them the basics of Italian. Michael is from the UK, but he has Italian roots. He is a great teacher, but nonetheless our attentive students realize that mastering the unique rhythms and tongue rolls of Italian takes more than just a few minutes of practice. The result is a very entertaining language lesson focusing on such essential vocabulary as how to ask a girl out on a date, how to order wine in a restaurant, and how to get a discount when out shopping.

Here are some of the key phrases, so that you can practice along with the students.

Ciao, mi chiamo…
Hello, my name is…

Senti, vorrei prendere qualcosa da mangiare stajera?
Listen, would you like to grab something to eat this evening?

Questo vino e buonissimo!
This wine is very good!

Scusi, mi dai un altro?
Excuse me, may I have another?

Quanto costa?
How much is it?

Please enjoy, and practice along with the students so that the next time you find yourself in Rome, you can take a local on a date and buy them a discount ice cream.

Many thanks to Michael, who can still be found in the CILL every Tuesday, and all the students involved! Until next time, Ciao!

The students are:

CHOW Yu Lam, Kate (CDM)

YIM Hoi Ki, Jenny (CDM)

WONG Cho Kit, Alex (BA)

CHANG Ka Hei, Hei (MIT)

YAU Tsz Tung, Hugo (MIT)

Rising Stars: Charlie Kayi’s Big, Miniature Success

Rising Stars, Uncategorized 2 Responses »

Jun 112014

Charlie Kayi with a "Jungle in a Bottle"

Charlie Kayi, a cat and a “Jungle in a Bottle”

The career of self-described “Lifestyle Product Designer” and brand consultant Charlie Kayi has taken some unexpected turns since she graduated from HKDI-LWL’s Timepiece Design and Branding Program in 2008. After some initial false starts, and a “dark period” where she almost turned her back on design altogether, Charlie has found, or rather created, a lucrative and original niche for herself. In this interview, Janice and Waily return to Radio 708 to learn about Charlie’s unique line of products, as well as her journey from student to successful entrepreneur.

Charlie’s flagship product is “Jungle in a Bottle” — one of those ideas that is so simple but so immediately appealing that its success seems inevitable. However, such accomplishments were not always so assured. After turning down an offer to continue studies at University, and some time as a Product Development Manager at Guy-LaRoche, Charlie found herself the victim of weak economy. Unemployed and unsure of her future, she pieced together enough freelance work to pay her bills. Eventually, against the advice of many people, she took a leap and began her own company, Delication.

Waily, Charlie and Janice

Turning away from her background in timepiece and fine jewelry design, Charlie returned to her roots, so to speak. As a child growing up in bucolic Sai Kung, Charlie and her brother would catch insects to keep as pets. Sadly, these small friends would often “give up the ghost” after just a brief stay. Using lessons from her science class, however, Charlie experimented with building small ecosystems that could sustain life. As the name suggests, “Jungle in a Bottle” is a more evolved version of these early trials. It allows anyone to keep a miniature, self-contained natural world right in their own home. While the inclusion of bugs has proven less than welcome among Hong Kong consumers, the principle of finding and maintaining a delicate, symbiotic balance remains at the very heart of the “Jungle in a Bottle” concept.

Although her current work is not directly related to the subject she studied at HKDI-LWL, Charlie believes the experience she acquired here has served her very well. Because she gained a broad understanding of how the different facets of a design company must cooperate in order to create a quality product, she is comfortable being a “bridge” between departments, making her an excellent manager. She is able to oversee everything from product design, to marketing, to branding, and as a result “Delication” is vertically integrated and able to maintain consistent standards.

With all her success, Charlie refuses to rest on her laurels. As she embarks on exciting new directions, such as incorporating bio-technology (get ready for plants that tweet when they are thirsty), she continues to make environmental awareness personal and interactive, helping us city-dwellers forge anew our connection to the natural world. Few projects could be considered more timely.

We extend our appreciation to Charlie for making the time to come and chat with us. All of us at Radio 708, and at HKDI-LWL, wish Charlie continued success. Of course, many thanks again to Janice and Waily for their great work in preparing and conducting this interview.

Make sure to visit Charlie’s workshop at PMQ, as well as Delication’s website and facebook page.

Listen to the interview below.

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Older Entries

Information Technology

Design Foundation Studies

Engineering Management and Technology

Fashion and Image Design

Communication Design and Digital Media

© Radio 708, 2015

© Radio 708, 2015

© Radio 708, 2015

© Radio 708, 2015

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