"Star of Shaw" 2023: Mr Franco Lam and Mr Shum Kin-wai

Shaw College Alumni Association (SCAA) established "Star of Shaw" Award in 2017 to recognise alumni's achievements and their contributions to society. Awardees are selected by a Selection Committee formed by representatives of the College Board of Trustees, College, and the Board of Directors of SCAA. There are two awardees for 2023: Mr Franco Lam (Biology 1995) and Mr Shum Kin-wai (Integrated BBA Programme 1996).

Mr Franco Lam
To Mr Franco Lam, the most unforgettable experience in Shaw College is the 3-year hostel life. It was the first time he lived outside. He was excited about every little thing in life, but at the same time worried if he could take care of himself. Hostel life was very different from that at home. Mr Lam's mother took care of him at home, but in hostel, he had to cook, do the laundry and cleaning by himself. Hostel life not only helped Mr Lam learn to be independent, but also gave him the opportunity to meet dormmates and established valuable friendships with them.
It was the time entering different stages of life when Mr Lam studied in Shaw College. From middle school to university, from university to work in the society, from adolescence to adulthood, from dependence to independence. It was also the time when Mr Lam established his values. He strongly believes the wonderful experience at Shaw College made him positive and optimistic. Mr Lam met his wife when he studied in the university. His wife was not a Shawer, but they spent a lot of time in the college and created their beautiful memories. Mr Lam met one of his most important business partners at the Shaw College Orientation Camp. Both of them were orientation camp leaders at that time, and later became friends and business partners for more than twenty years.
Mr Lam feels that he is lucky to be able to establish his own company after graduation, and finds the way which suits him. Until today, he is still living with dreams, enthusiasm and joy. He hopes to positively influence fellow students of different backgrounds and characters with his experiences and stories, telling them that ordinary people can also make extraordinary achievements.

Mr Shum Kin-wai
Mr Shum was a non-resident student. Although he did not live in student hostel, he still had a lot of unforgettable memories during his four-year college time. To Mr Shum, the most impressive was that one night at College's orientation camp, he chatted with other orientation camp leaders and team members whom he had just met. They were sitting on the ground in front of Wen Lan Tang and chatted all over the night, felt like there were endless topics to talk about. Looking back, those were the good old times of youth.
Talking about his impression of Shaw College, the beautiful scenery of the College immediately came to Mr Shum's mind. Mr Shum recalled that when looking from Wen Lan Tang to Pat Sin Leng, he could see the expansive view of Tolo Harbour. At that time, railway track under the mountain of Shaw College had not yet been "straightened", the northbound train would follow Campus Circuit North of the campus and turn into Cheung Shue Tan and then turn out.
Being a non-resident student allowed Mr Shum to have more freedom and space to think about his future and life, and have the courage to face himself, rediscovering the music he had loved since he was a child. Mr Shum, therefore, went to the United States for further study in music after graduating from Business School to pursue his dream.
Mr Shum is much honoured to be awarded "Star of Shaw". He took this chance to thank Shaw College, and was looking forward to bringing more music to the College, and connecting more alumni to return the College, giving back to the alma mater.

This article was originally published in the Newsletter of the College, Shaw Link in Jan 2024.