Shun Kwan Matthew

I believe in diving headfirst and trying new things. That drive to experience the unknown is probably why I chose Engineering at HKUST over other majors. Engineering, in one form or another, has always been an integral part of my life since childhood. As a kid, I was always tinkering and experimenting with everything—pens, flashlights, and basic robotics. It might not seem like much, but we all start somewhere. As I grew up, I kept that headfirst mindset, expanding into computers, robotics, and programming—dipping my toes into everything to see what might become my next latest hobby.

HKUST provides the perfect environment for that curiosity. With a culture that encourages exploration, I can dip my toes into new tools, projects, and disciplines without hesitation. The breadth of courses, active student societies, and supportive faculty make it easy to try, learn, and iterate—turning “what if” into my next latest hobby.

This headfirst mindset extends beyond academics. I thrive on social interaction, so I joined the Engineering Students’ Union committee to immerse myself in teamwork and community building. This meant learning on the fly—planning events, coordinating across departments, and communicating with students and faculty. I gained confidence speaking to groups, learned to navigate timelines, and discovered how to turn feedback into better outcomes. Most importantly, I found a community that values initiative and collaboration, reinforcing the same drive that brought me to engineering in the first place.

Some people might dislike my headfirst approach and call it impulsive. I call it taking the initiative. I scope the risks, jump in, and learn at full speed—because momentum reveals what hesitation hides. I’d rather build version one, see what breaks, and learn in the open than polish in a vacuum. Headfirst isn’t a habit; it’s my signature.