Supporting one another
9th November, 2019
Dear SHSS Students,
Our community is reeling in shock over the tragic loss of one of our undergraduate students, Chow Tsz-Lok. When one member of our HKUST family is harmed, we all feel deep sorrow. As painful as it is for me as a mother and professor, I can only imagine how much more difficult Chow’s passing is for you as students. You lost a classmate. Whether or not you knew Alex as an individual, you know someone like him – a fellow student who juggles challenging classes, eats at our canteens, and still finds time to be a good friend. He was only 22 years old.
Although unsettling, it is human to experience a wide range of emotions during these difficult times. In addition to grief, you may be feeling frustration, anger, despair, and even concern about your own personal safety. I think it is important to acknowledge this openly and support one another as a community.
While the university’s Counseling Center has mental health professionals to help students manage troubling symptoms such as anxiety and depression, our SHSS faculty and staff are also available to chat with you. We care about your well-being and understand that it may be comforting to speak with someone you already know. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Take care,
Dean Tsai