Unexpected path, lasting impact: hearing loss setback leads to decades of teaching
Hearing loss made it difficult for Ivan Fung Wing-hong to find work in Hong Kong’s construction industry after graduation. Nearly three decades later, that early setback has led to a teaching career spanning young children, postgraduate students and elderly people. Born with a hearing impairment, Fung struggled with language subjects at school because he could not always hear clearly. He was…
Ivan Fung Wing-hong, born with a hearing impairment, faced challenges finding work in Hong Kong's construction industry after graduating. His hearing loss made language subjects difficult in school, but he excelled in mathematics and art. This led him to pursue building-related subjects at City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, which later became City University of Hong Kong (CityU) in 1994.
Despite applying for a job on a sewage treatment project, his hearing impairment was deemed a safety risk. His father suggested teaching, but initial applications to secondary schools were unsuccessful. A former lecturer encouraged him to take a junior academic role at CityU. Over the next 20 years, Fung taught at the university, supervising postgraduate students and extending his work to younger children, postgraduate engineering students in mainland China, and professionals and elderly people.
His philosophy of receiving help, helping oneself, and then helping others has guided his community work with the Paradise Home Foundation and its Chinese culture education centre. His nomination for the Spirit of Hong Kong Awards in 2023 recognizes his unexpected career path and its lasting impact.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
