Message from Dean of Student Affairs
Message from Dean of Student Affairs
Dear Students,
Welcome to The University of Hong Kong! Whether you are a new undergraduate, taught postgraduate, or research postgraduate student, or returning to continue your journey, we are excited to have you all joining our vibrant community. I am Professor Samson Tse, currently the Dean of Student Affairs. My work focuses on mental health, particularly supporting individuals with mental health challenges and addressing addiction.
As you navigate this period of “newness”, it's important to recognise that starting a new journey is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it offers countless opportunities for new experiences, pushing you out of your comfort zone and expanding your horizons. On the other hand, it can bring confusion, unpredictability, and the challenge of adapting to unfamiliar routines which can feel vulnerable.
As you embark on this journey, I would like to share two Dos and two Don'ts for your first semester at HKU:
Dos:
- Do visit CEDARS website (www.cedars.hku.hk). You will be impressed by the range of support and services we offer to students. We assist with finance, housing, student societies, and much more, including counselling and mental health services, as well as career development and employment support.
- Do it! Manage your time wisely and prioritise what is important, especially if you have limited time and energy.
Don'ts:
- Don’t expect perfection.
Embrace the learning process and give yourself grace. Remember that
setbacks, including a low GPA, can be valuable learning experiences.
- Don’t be a people pleaser. Focus on your own goals and well-being. Set boundaries and respect your own pace and readiness.
Wishing you all the best as you embark on this exciting chapter. Welcome again, and I look forward to seeing both new and returning students thrive!
Warm regards,
Professor Samson Tse
Dean of Student Affairs
Biography
Professor Samson Tse [謝樹基教授] is the Professor of Mental Health and currently serves as the
Dean of Student Affairs (September 2020- ) at The University of Hong Kong. He
is the Fellow and Accredited Supervisor of the Hong Kong Professional
Counselling Association (HKPCA). The corpus of Professor Tse’s research
and scholarship is on building knowledge for the human services that support
people with severe mental illness and those affected by addiction problem and
in turn, to improve the wellbeing of service users, families and caregivers.
Prior to his relocation to Hong Kong, he worked in New Zealand – Dunedin and
Auckland− for over 20 years. Professor Tse has authored/ co-authored over 230
peer-reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of addiction and mental
health. He has served in various government committees such as the Mental
Health Advisory Committee under the Health Bureau and the Research Advisory
Group under the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and several
non-governmental organisations. Professor Tse has held honorary/ visiting
professorial positions at Yale University, University of Melbourne and
University of Auckland.
(Last update: September 2024)