Time Auction Star Volunteers — Veronica Li & Janice Wong, HKUST nominees to meet with Christine Loh, Under Secretary of the Environment

In the everyday hustle and bustle, it is a rarity for students to find spare time to dedicate themselves to volunteer to a cause they hold dear to their hearts. However, two outstanding students, Veronica Li and Janice Wong, from HKUST are the exception to the rule. This past year, they have shown academic excellence and admirable volunteerism spirit.

In recognition of their volunteering work and contribution to society, they were nominated by HKUST to attend Time Auction meeting with Christine Loh, the esteemed Under Secretary for the Environment in the HKSAR Government. Christine awarded Veronica and Janice the Time Auction Star Volunteer Award, making them the first recipients of the award.

We sat down with them for a quick chat to discuss their community service projects and to reflect on their dinner with Christine.

Veronica Li, HKUST, Year 2, Physics Major

Outside of her studies, Veronica actively participates in a number of sustainable and environmental projects. “I feel so honoured to be nominated for the Time Auction Star Volunteer since I wasn’t expecting any award for my project!”

Tell us about your volunteering work.

As an Eco-rep, Veronica was one of the 20 students working on a student initiated environment project. Her team looked at rainwater harvesting and assessed the possible applications for using rainwater for toilet flushing to minimise the amount of water in academic building bathrooms.

What did you learn from meeting Christine?

“Christine’s words has really inspired me to work hard and to live an interesting life. We all hear that kind of advice a lot, but to hear it from someone who has been through so much in her life, someone who has experienced a lot of different opportunities and paths — it’s very reassuring. Christine reminds me that sometimes the best opportunities come when you’re not expecting them.”

With an open-minded attitude, Veronica is optimistic that she’ll find her true calling.

What change do you want to see in this world?

“I hope for people to be more considerate and more compassionate.

Whether that means for more people to play a role in boosting sustainability or simply accepting others for who they are —I believe even a little could go a long way.”

Janice Wong, HKUST, Year 2, Environmental Management & Technology Major

“I didn’t expect the Time Auction Star Volunteer Award at all because it was not unusual volunteering, but now I’m really motivated me to spend more time on non-academic projects.”

Tell us about your volunteering work.

As a fellow eco-rep as well, Janice is also a coordinator for the Wu Zhi Qiao HKUST team which promotes rural bridge building projects in China. For her community service, Janice worked on the plastic bottle-free campus project in HKUST.

What did you learn from meeting Christine?

“Through Christine’s fearlessness of uncertainty and her will to do better, she has taught me it’s okay to do what you like because the things that you want will follow.

Going through this transition from high school to university blurs your path because you see so much more than what you have in the past.”

Christine’s words have permanently altered Janice’s mindset. She says “I’ll make time for things I enjoy doing which I always sacrificed for work in the past because there is always a future in whatever you choose to do. She has taught me the importance of living “in the now” and having an excellent work ethic.”

What change do you want to see in this world?

“I hope to see people of all nations work hand in hand to solve global issues without any discrimination”.

Christine has left our volunteers with a fresh outlook and we’re so honoured to have had the chance to sit down and learn from her. Christine’s exemplary political career and her care for the environment is truly motivational for all of us to push ourselves to the best of our abilities.

At Time Auction, we believe giving and growing makes a meaningful career. Join us to meet Hong Kong’s inspiring leaders by volunteering to charity.