Growth Highlight: Successfully Admitted to a Doctoral Programme
Doctoral Programme: The Education University of Hong Kong
Research Area Health Promotion through Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents
“The tide of destiny cannot be held back; my answer is to keep moving forward.” Guided by this never-surrender spirit, I see myself as a “scholar on the field”, firmly believing that the essence of education lies not only in passing on knowledge, but also in guiding convictions and cultivating character.
It was precisely this belief that made the Master of Arts in Chinese Values-Based Leadership Education especially meaningful to me. The programme’s deep emphasis on values education and leadership education spoke directly to my search for the essence of education. Throughout this academic journey, I learned to revisit my past educational practice through the lenses of theory and reflection. This not only gave me a deeper understanding of the ultimate purpose of “educating the whole person”, but also strengthened my determination to pursue academic research and contribute to the advancement of higher education. Looking ahead, I aspire to establish myself in higher education with solid research and teaching capabilities, and to cultivate future-oriented leadership talents.
However, moving from intuitive thinking shaped by sports practice to rigorous educational theory of research and academic writing was the greatest challenge I encountered during my studies. Faced with this academic barrier, I did not choose to step back. Instead, I put into practice the spirit of my motto — to keep moving forward. Through extensive reading of Chinese and international literature, I gradually worked through challenging theories and built a clear argumentative framework. At the same time, I actively sought guidance from professors and peers, continuing to refine my ideas through countless rounds of discussion, questioning, and revision.
Every late night spent writing in solitude became an opportunity to push beyond my limits. Through perseverance and sustained reflection, I gradually bridged the gap between professional practice and academic inquiry, transforming my workplace experience into scholarly insight. More importantly, this journey marked a meaningful transformation in both my intellectual growth and personal development.
These years of study marked my transformation from a practitioner on the sports field into a researcher capable of independent and critical inquiry. Through the demanding process of academic training — from initial exploration and deep reflection to repeated revision — I gradually developed rigorous research thinking and came to understand more profoundly the social responsibility and values embedded in scholarly work. The completion of my thesis stands as a significant academic milestone. It not only provided a strong foundation for my continued pursuit of educational research but also strengthened the confidence and intellectual grounding I will carry with me as I step onto the university platform and seek to inspire the next generation of young people.
（As the student’s reflection was originally written in Chinese, certain aspects of the content may not be fully conveyed in translation. For a more comprehensive understanding of her learning journey and reflections, please refer to the Chinese version. ）
