Sharing learning experience
In the previous Offbeat issues, we urged you to visit the Learning and Development Exhibition held at the Police Sports and Recreation Club from November 23 to 25 to learn more about the training opportunities available for you and the training experience of other Force members. Did you miss it? No problem. In this issue, we are going to recapture some of the main points made by several active learners in the experience-sharing sessions held during the exhibition.
Enrolling in two post-graduate courses offered by the University of Science and Technology, Senior Inspector Sean Lin stated that continuous learning would not only benefit an officer's career prospects but also improve his skills in communication, time management and listening.
"I think studying by itself is very challenging. Also, no matter what course you take, you'll learn how to manage your time and plan your life. Besides, learning will help you realise your hidden potential," he added.
Another active learner, Woman Sergeant Cheung Ngar-sze said that her affinity to learning began when she found that she failed to communicate with her expatriate supervisor in English.
"I then took an English course and since then I have developed a great interest in the language and studied several other English courses. I also attended a variety of other courses such as hiking, swimming and hill climbing.
"Through learning, I have made friends from all walks of life and broadened my horizon. Policing is no longer the only subject that I know anything about," enthused WSGT Cheung.
Police Constable Wong Chi-ho added: "Knowledge is an invaluable asset that once you have got it, it will forever belong to you".
Woman Police Constable Lau Yuk-kiu noted that there were a variety of ways other than reading such as e-learning to pursue knowledge.
Senior Inspector Tong Kwan-yuen advised officers to choose courses that they were interested in. "If you force yourself to learn something that you do not like, you will eventually lose the motivation and give up," he explained.
While encouraging officers to seize the learning opportunities available in the Force, Acting Assistant Commissioner Training Tony Ho Tze-tong said: "Colleagues should regard learning as a tool for self-improvement rather than a tool for promotion although learning may improve your performance at work which will in turn enhance your promotion prospects."
Let's share our learning experience