Medical aspirations dominate DSE top scorers

A significant number of this year’s top performers are setting their sights on a future in medicine, as the results of the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams were released on Wednesday.

The exam results saw 24 students achieve a perfect score – securing a 5** in six core subjects alongside an "attained" rating in the Citizenship and Social Development component.

These outstanding students were further distinguished by 11 "super top scorers", who added an extra 5** in the extended mathematics elective.

St Paul’s Co-educational College led the pack, producing three super top scorers and two top scorers. Among them was Wong Yik-ka, who credited his dream of becoming a doctor as the driving force behind his rigorous study routine.

"I just kept asking myself how much am I going to sacrifice for this? How much am I willing to sacrifice my time, my sleep and my playtime just to achieve something that I always wanted?" he said.

His ambition is deeply personal, he said, having witnessed loved ones battle cancer.

"I believe that as a doctor, it is important to take care of a patient's soul, a patient's body and a patient's health," he said.

"After I witnessed this in person, I believe that it is the greatest responsibility a doctor can have, and I really admire it and I will try my best with my abilities to achieve that level of care."

Another standout was Tina Liu from HKBU Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School, who made history as the school’s first-ever DSE top scorer.

Liu, who skipped a grade during the pandemic to challenge herself, is particularly drawn to psychiatry.

"The brain is one of the most mysterious and important organs in the body, so I am very interested in this. Psychiatry is also a topic I am fascinated by," she said.

"Last year, I shadowed at the Prince of Wales Hospital's psychiatric department, and it was a very happy experience where I got to learn a lot. This was definitely one of the reasons why I want to study psychiatry."

In a testament to resilience, Cheng Tsz-in from Wah Yan College Hong Kong achieved top marks despite being visually impaired, with only about 10 percent of his vision remaining.

Grateful for the unwavering support of his teachers and parents, Cheng plans to pursue law.

He hopes to work as a lawyer in Hong Kong, believing that the law embodies equality and opportunity.

He also offered encouragement to other candidates with special educational needs.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi visited Po Leung Kuk No 1 WH Cheung College to congratulate students.

Speaking to reporters, she noted that the number of top scorers is higher than in previous years, reflecting each student's dedication and the success of the secondary curriculum's optimisation.

Other top achievers came from schools including Queen’s College, Diocesan Girls’ School, La Salle College and Pui Ching Middle School.

Edited by Aaron Tam ...