Former Christian Zheng Sheng College student Wilson Wong Wing-san is learning the hard way, that a life of drug abuse can imprint an enduring stigma and that his errant ways in the past may have foreclosed future options.

Lingnan University has accepted Wong as a candidate in its Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. However, even if he graduates with full qualifications, he may have difficulty becoming a fully certified accountant.

Flanked by principal of Christian Zheng Sheng College Alman Chan Siu-cheuk, Wong stood reading his Joint University Programs Admissions System result online at a Wi-Fi point in Kowloon Park. Both men smiled after confirming that the offer was valid. The accounting program was Wong's second choice for his Bachelor's degree.

Wong was sanguine about his not being accepted at City University of Hong Kong, where he initially hoped to study accountancy. "To me, it doesn't matter where to study; what really matters is the determination to study,"

Wong once thought of majoring in social work but eventually decided to pursue accounting.

"Being a social worker isn't the only way to help others. Therefore I'll stick with accounting, in which I'm more interested," said Wong.

Wong's to-do list upon entering university includes improving his language proficiency and joining university clubs, in a bid to broaden his perspective.

But the soon-to-be accountant is also worried about the heavy financial burden that goes with earning a university degree.

"I'm currently doing a summer job in an accounting firm. I'll try to continue working part-time after the semester commences," he said.

Wilson is already aware that his criminal record for drug possession may prove an impediment to his hopes to become a registered auditor.

"I was told by staff members of Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants that I'm disadvantaged due to my criminal offence history, but it's not entirely hopeless. After all, not being able to be an accountant is not the end of the world, and knowledge of accounting can be applied to work of different areas," said Wong.

Chan said that by becoming the second graduate from Christian Zheng Sheng College to enter university in six years, Wong has proved that everyone deserves a second chance.

"The way ahead of him will be tough and thorny. He must persevere," Chan added.

The president of Lingnan University Professor Chan Yuk-shee welcomed the admission of Wong. Professor Chan said he was impressed by Wong's story and by his results in HKALE. Chan expressed the hope that Wong will continue to do his best at Lingnan University.

(HK Edition 07/30/2009 page1)