Dear Parents and Students,
With the successful graduation ceremony of Archer House now over, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to every graduate of Archer House, their parents, and teachers for accompanying and growing together throughout their six years of secondary school, accumulating many precious and joyful memories. I also extend special thanks to this year's officiating guest, Dr. Li Xiaoyi, who interestingly shares the Chinese character "Yi" in his name with a Chinese character in Archer House.
Dr. Li Xiaoyi is an outstanding pharmacologist and biotechnology expert. In his early years, he worked as a pediatrician. Witnessing the suffering of his patients, he resolutely embarked on the path of drug discovery. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Pharmacology in the United States, he focused on drug research and holds multiple pharmaceutical invention patents. As early as the 1990s, he had the foresight to found "Lee's Pharmaceutical Company," personally engaging in research and development, transforming the company from a small-scale startup into a multinational publicly-listed pharmaceutical group. Dr. Li is also deeply committed to contributing to society. He serves as Vice President of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Innovation Association, a member of the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and President of the Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Association. He has also been awarded an Honorary University Fellowship by the HKUST. Furthermore, he has spared no effort in promoting Chinese cultural education, sponsoring the Cheongsam and Flower Button Design Invitational Competitions at Pooi To Middle School for many years, allowing more and more Hong Kong students to appreciate the culture and charm of cheongsam and the flower buttons.
Dr. Li's words of encouragement to the Archer House graduates were particularly inspiring. Excelling academically since childhood, he ranked fourth among thousands of candidates in the university entrance examination, expecting to be admitted to the then most popular departments of physics or engineering. However, while his peers received their admission results one after another, he waited in vain. He later learned that due to failing the body check, he could only pursue his sixth-choice — medical school. Using his own experience, he encouraged the Pooi To graduates “Life is never entirely smooth sailing. Many things may not turn out as we wish despite our best efforts, yet every step we take leaves its mark.” Facing an increasingly fast-paced future society, he urged students to bravely try new things in order to find their own path. When encountering difficult challenges, knowing when to pause, gather one's thoughts, and proactively seeking help and resources is a sign of maturity and capability. He advised everyone not to fight alone.
Regarding the DSE exam results, which students care about most, Dr. Li emphasized that exam scores are merely a snapshot of academic performance and cannot define one's entire life's worth. He shared that after achieving excellent results in his year, though fate took him away from his first-choice physics department, under his mother's encouragement and destiny's guidance, he ultimately found greater fulfillment and societal contribution in the fields of medicine and pharmaceuticals. The lives of many successful people in society are likewise not linear. Starting speed matters little; what truly counts is perseverance.
Dr. Li's determination and perseverance not only deeply inspired the Archer House graduates but also moved everyone in attendance. As a principal who has witnessed the growth of countless children, I deeply understand that true success never lies in having a smooth journey, but in being able to stand up and keep moving forward despite setbacks. Dr. Li's story reminds me of my own detours and moments of doubt in life. Looking back now, those so-called "missed opportunities" often led to a better version of myself. I hope every graduate will remember Dr. Li's inspiring message and, on your future life journeys, fear not failure, march forward bravely, and write your own wonderful chapter.
Best Regards,
C. Cheung
