Level Up: HA Student Leaders Kick Off New Semester with Heart
Date: 22 August 2025 (Friday)
New campus. New faces. New Game+.
Amid the energy of over 2,200 new undergraduate and senior entrants at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK)’s New Student Welcome Day, one booth stood out for its buzz, brains, and big-hearted energy: the Honours Academy (HA) booth.
And nope, it was not just about the souvenirs (though, let’s be honest, that did help).
It was about our HA student leaders showing up — not just to welcome, but to inspire.
Puzzles, Purpose, and a Whole Lot of Passion
Conceived, prepared, and executed entirely by our HA students, the HA booth embodied our core mission: empowering young people to lead with global vision and a commitment to local communities.
Samantha Lee and Cathy Yu, both from HA’s 5th cohort, spearheaded the initiative with creativity and clarity of purpose. They designed a series of interactive challenges and reflective prompts — from timed puzzles symbolising the complexity of leadership, to personal reflections inviting freshmen to articulate the leadership traits they most value.
“We aimed to create a space where students could envision their futures and reflect on the kind of leaders they aspire to be. Joining HA is just the beginning of a journey toward endless possibilities.”
— Samantha Lee, HA 5th cohort
“It was wonderful to meet so many lovely faces on the New Student Welcome Day. We hope that after getting to know our HA, everyone can discover their leadership potential and join us to create more possibilities.”
— Cathy Yu, HA 5th cohort
A Team Effort Across Cohorts
The HA booth keeps leveling up every year. This time, cross-cohort collaboration made the difference.
Newly recruited 6th cohort members, JK Li, Anson Pon, Elaine Huang, Chloe Lam, and Kitty Wong, were not just handing out puzzle pieces; they were handing out encouragement, energy and a whole lot of HA friendly vibe!
“My first taste at HA felt like pure joy and positive energy! I was honored to step into my role by introducing new students to the heart of HA, and playing fun games together, it was amazing to connect with so many new faces.”
— Kitty Wong, HA 6th cohort
My first experience of HA felt like stepping into a huge family surrounded by a lot of love. The warmth and enthusiasm of everyone made me feel instantly welcomed while meeting so many new faces.
— Anson Pon, HA 6th cohort
Welcome to HA: Where Leadership Begins with Showing Up
To every new face who stopped by — thank you for playing, reflecting, and dreaming with us. Your journey has just begun, and we can’t wait to see your story unfold at HSUHK and beyond.
And to our HA student leaders — thank you for being the heartbeat of this community. You are shaping what HA stands for.