It was with great sadness and disappointment that I learned last week that City University will close its excellent master of fine arts programme in creative writing.
As a 22-year Hong Kong resident, I am proud to live in a city - situated at the centre of the region - that is taking on the responsibility of being a focal point for a new and virtual way of combining ideas from around the globe. I am saddened that such a fine programme that brings minds from different backgrounds together and nurtures artistic thought and endeavour is to be extinguished.
As a graduate of the course created by the tireless Xu Xi and taught by a faculty of as many as 18 international writers, this news touches me personally.
I have benefited since graduation by proudly highlighting my degree obtained at CityU when applying for and accepting not only a tertiary lecturer's post, but also subsequent writing and editorial work for international companies. I have recently become assistant non-fiction editor of an international literary journal, as well as coordinator of a Hong Kong-based literary group. My connection with the programme and the university helped me to land these posts and projects, and to bring a degree of gravitas to them, and I continue to emphasise my association with CityU.
On a personal development level, the master of fine arts process opened my mind to new approaches to writing.
Engaging in the course was the wisest move I made in the past five years.