Outstanding Student Award 2019 winners announced

“It is my great honour to be named the Most Outstanding PolyU Student 2019 and the Outstanding Student of the Faculty of Construction and Environment (FCE).”

Right from the start, Gloria decided to take part in activities beyond the curriculum, inspired by her new understanding of work-life balance after joining the PolyU Mental Health Ambassador Programme in Year 1.

That summer, she became one of the 20 delegates to join the 8th University Scholars Leadership Symposium held by the United Nations on the theme of “Building Life, Giving Hope.”

“The symposium allowed me to develop a more dynamic mindset, to think from multiple perspectives, and gain a more comprehensive global view towards different issues,” she said, adding that it helped her realise such qualities are essential for those keen to play leadership roles.

In Year 3, Gloria’s overseas student exchange to the University of Manchester in the UK introduced her to broader perspectives on different cultures, religions, and political outlooks.

Adding to such insights, she went to Myanmar as an organising committee member of the voluntary programme Engineers Without Borders, along with pro-bono engineers and a group of 15 engineering students. The eight-day Service-Learning trip proved life-changing.

At times upsetting, as she learned of the hardships faced by people who struggle to earn a living, receive an education, and drink a sip of clean water, it was also highly rewarding to apply the engineering knowledge and design skills developed at PolyU to help.

“The time there made me appreciate and be grateful for my own chances in life,” she said.

As a recipient of five different scholarships and a member of the Dean’s Honours List for two consecutive years, Gloria has found her experience at PolyU to be far more than just an academic success story. In addition, it has been a fascinating inner journey and a voyage of discovery as to how to make a positive difference to others.