Independent

After the first round of the speech was over, the first badge of graduates from our medical school seized the opportunity and went to the stage to take some photos. Neither the time nor the place was meant for taking group photo - but our great seniors decided to do it in their own way.

Our class was quick to follow. As expected, we were so enjoyed in taking pictures that we occupied the stage for slightly longer than the host would like to see.

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When the evening was over, I suddenly came to realize our behaviour was entirely expected and certainly reflected our personality.

The logic is simple: In 1981, what kind of students would agree to be admitted to a new medical school? Certainly the most adventurous lot. Yes, they may be declined by our sister medical school across the harbour, but most of them had other excellent offers that they decided not to take up.

In 1985, our class was admitted under the new Provisional Acceptance Scheme (暫取生). (We were the first group of students admitted via PAS, which was the predecessor of the subsequent Early Admission Scheme [拔尖計劃]). That was, alas, before anyone graduated from this medical school, and, contrary to our senior alumni, most of us had a good chance of getting admitted to the more established one across the harbour - for which, by accepting the PAS offer, we had to give up the chance to apply. (Many of us actually faced the objection from our parents.)

The result was obvious: Our class was a collection of students who paid little tribute to authorities, liked to balance the risk and benefit by ourselves, and make our own decision.

And, as Heraclitus said, character is destiny.