The odyssey of a torch-bearing tutor
Ivan Ho Sai-cheong
Now teachers and students no longer have to be 'nomads'. Every time I drive to the University, I feel like going home. I take great pride in being a part of it.
Ivan Ho Sai-cheong (Tutor, School of Education and Languages)
Behind the scenes, there is a dedicated cadre of colleagues who rarely bask in the limelight. They have no offices, chairs or desks, and their names are not listed on the Intranet's staff directory. But these lesser-known colleagues are responsible for the tutorials in our distance learning programmes, guiding students, answering their academic queries, and working diligently for the University to cultivate generation after generation of social talent. They are tutors at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, one of whom is Mr Ivan Ho Sai-cheong.
Ivan joined the University as a tutor back in the 90s, more than 25 years ago. It was by no means a simple journey. When asked about his early days, he remembers without thinking that the first course he taught was E210C Curriculum Design and Assessment. He recounts with a grin, “Just like your first love, you'll never forget it!”
This quarter-century-long love affair with education blossomed during his time as a secondary school teacher. “In those days, getting into university was still a daunting challenge. It was very meaningful that the then Open Learning Institute gave aspiring learners an opportunity to reshape their lives,” he reminisces. “I had some experience in curriculum development and adult education, so I joined the Institute when it was looking for tutors.”
Ivan has all along worked for the School of Education and Languages. Students attending his tutorials come from different courses and have diverse backgrounds, including serving teachers, scholars, managers of educational institutions, and even renovation workers. “Regardless of their background, they all share a common desire to learn how to teach their students. I believe that the right attitude and mindset are of the utmost importance. As educators, the most meaningful work is to instil the right values in our students and help them grow,” he says with conviction.
With a passion for education, Ivan constantly looks for ways to hone his teaching skills. He likes to observe people, even when he is on the MTR, and he is always on the lookout for innovative methods to engage his students. “I prefer a down-to-earth approach, using plenty of examples and scenarios to spark their interest in learning,” he explains. He firmly believes that if he can make a difference in the life of one student and that student goes on to inspire the next generation, then the true magic of education will come to life.
Seeing this spirit passed down from generation to generation has been the driving force behind Ivan’s persistence for over two decades. However, in his tutor's journey, it is the experience of guiding prison inmates that has left the deepest mark on him. “I am moved by their desire to start anew, and I admire their perseverance to continue learning even while confined. Some of them are lifers, yet they never slack in their pursuit of knowledge.” He believes the current limitations in the systems and hardware of learning make it exceptionally challenging for inmates to learn, so he hopes the establishment of the Ethics College by the Correctional Services Department will provide them with more support.
Ivan is undoubtedly considered a veteran of the University, having witnessed its growth over the years. He recalls the early days when the University borrowed classrooms from secondary schools. Then it moved to its permanent facility in Ho Man Tin and now boasts multiple campuses, which he humorously describes as “establishing a nation.” He says with gratification, “Now teachers and students no longer have to be 'nomads'. Every time I drive to the University, I feel like going home. I take great pride in being a part of it.”
In his personal career, Ivan progressed from secondary school teacher to principal, and in recent years, he left the school campus to serve as the Controller (Education Services) at Yan Oi Tong. He acknowledges that while these experiences have inspired his work as a tutor, his exposure as a tutor has also contributed to his own career development, providing a synergistic effect. “As a school principal, I was sometimes inevitably at a distance from my teachers. Here at HKMU, as many of my students are frontline teachers, it is very helpful to my job to understand their thoughts and difficulties. Now that I am responsible mainly for educational administration, understanding the views of those on the ground is more crucial than ever.” In addition to his role as a tutor, Ivan acts as a bridge to the University, providing internship and job opportunities for our students.
Reflecting on the past, he considers the pandemic period to have been the most challenging, as everyone had to resort to online classes, removing the mutual interaction that is essential for effective learning. However, what he cherishes most is the camaraderie he built with his students. He chuckles, “Some of them are my colleagues during the day and my students at night; and some were my former students and have now become my students again.” He finds it very gratifying to meet his former students in the classroom and see them working hard to add value to their capabilities to educate the next generation.
