8 May 2019 – Insightful sharing by Professor Ian Holliday

Professor Ian Holliday, the Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor in charge of Teaching and Learning in the Senior Management Team in the University of Hong Kong, gave a speech about his book, Liberalism and Democracy in Myanmar in our school hall. The speech helped our senior forms better understand the prospects of liberal democracy in Myanmar through a concise introduction to Myanmar's history and first-hand data. As a learned scholar in politics and sociology, his tips have given students insights into the methodology of conducting research.

Our vice principals, several teachers and a dozen students were engaged in an enriching conversation with Professor Holliday after the speech. The majority of the chosen students have been on a trip with the Chinese Exploration and Research Society to Irrawaddy River in Myanmar. Many inquisitive questions were raised about Aung San Suu Kyi's moral compass, the problem of discrimination in Myanmar as well as the purpose behind the research. Professor Holliday's detailed recount on his encounters with the Myanma leader painted a vivid picture of her character —something that could not be seen from depictions from the media or read from textbooks.

Professor Holliday's visit broadened our perspectives on politics, sociology and culture. Through Myanmar's struggle for democracy, students learn that democracy should not be taken for granted, and in the climaxes and downfalls of civilisation we see humanity as it is — vulnerable yet powerful.

Yoyo Tang (S5CY)