Where the Journey Began
故事的起點

For many colleagues, Faat is a familiar presence on campus. People from the old days called him “Faat Jai”, and now as he has grown older, younger colleagues call him “Faat Gor”. He may not seek the spotlight, but he is certainly part of the Library. Over the years, you may have seen him bustling around: pushing a book truck, delivering mail, hanging curtains, or busily heading to the gym late in the evening. In these small but steady ways, he has become part of everyday HKUST life.

HKUST was Faat’s first job after secondary school. He joined the University at the age of 20 in 1990, starting at its temporary office in World Shipping Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui before moving to the Clear Water Bay campus. At first, he expected the role to be temporary. Living on Lantau Island, he found the commute from Mui Wo via Central to Tsim Sha Tsui manageable. However, when the University officially opened in 1991, the availability of Junior Staff Quarters made it possible for him to stay, especially as he helped with the library’s opening and closing at a time when transport to campus was still inconvenient. What began as a temporary job gradually became his life’s work.

Now a Library Senior Assistant, Faat has seen his work evolve alongside the library itself. In the early days, when print collections were still central to library operations, he helped process books delivered from overseas — unboxing them, stamping them, sticking book plates, adding security strips, and loading them onto book trucks for shelving. Over time, as the Library changed, so did his responsibilities. Today, he supports a wide range of operational work, from hanging artefacts in the gallery and posting interlibrary loan parcels to moving bulky equipment and amplifiers for Library events. He also assists with day-to-day logistics, including operating the cargo lift for deliveries of distilled water and garbage collection, and helping with minor furniture defects.

A Life Intertwined with HKUST
與科大交織的人生

What has remained unchanged throughout the years is Faat’s deep sense of belonging to the Library and to HKUST. He always speaks proudly and loudly of being from the Library. Along the way, his love of playing football helped him build friendships with undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and faculty members. Even now, he still plays every Thursday night after work, sharing the field with teammates much younger than himself and showing the same spirit he has carried throughout the years.

Faat has spent almost his entire working life at HKUST. Over these 35 years, the University has been the setting not only for his career, but also for many important chapters of his personal life, from a young man starting his first job to a husband and father. Many of us still remember his son, Michael, as a toddler accompanying the family to the LG1 canteen for breakfast and Saturday lunches. Today, Michael is a proud HKUST alumnus of the School of Engineering. Seeing Faat with his family today is a reminder that long service is measured not only in years, but also in the many moments of life — the laughter, the challenges, and the memories — that unfold alongside it. As his supervisor, I feel deeply grateful that he received his 35-year Long Service award this year. His story is one of loyalty, perseverance, and warmth, and it is a privilege to celebrate this milestone with him.