23/07/2026
Meet Shirmen, a Year 3 student in the Department of Social Work at CUHK, and a recipient of the Scholarship for Outstanding Performance awarded by the HKSAR Government. For him, life at CUHK is defined by a constant dialogue between theory and lived experience, from early mornings at the Learning Common and late-night chats with peers about social justice, to the quiet joy of seeing a child smile during community service.
At CUHK, the values of social work are not just taught in classrooms but are put into practice through every action. Embracing this philosophy, Shirmen has actively thrown himself into social work during his time at university, constantly reflecting and growing through his experiences. He spent months walking alongside a mother trapped in an emotional low, helping her step out of the shadows. He also took the lead in launching a five-session mutual aid group project for elderly caregivers. These experiences have fundamentally transformed his role from a mere problem-solver to an empathetic companion who understands the power of enduring relationship-centred practice.
When speaking about his award, Shirmen expressed that this scholarship has made his social responsibility even clearer, reaffirming his original commitment to supporting marginalized groups and giving back to society.
The HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund and the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund aim to attract outstanding students to pursue higher education in Hong Kong while supporting the quality and sustainable development of the post-secondary education sector. This year, about 900 CUHK students received scholarships and awards under various categories. Recipients at CUHK come from countries and regions including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Mongolia and Kazakhstan.
