Changgeng Mo,
PhD, Faculty of Education
Graduated in 2023
Changgeng Mo, Doctor of Philosophy Candidate in Audiology at HKU (Class of 2023)
The days of COVID-19 are not particularly remembered fondly by anyone.
For students, the pandemic had a massive impact on their learning as Zoom classes replaced professors and classrooms. Students with special educational needs (SEN) require even more support to adapt to a fully virtual environment without human assistance.
Changgeng Mo, who has a hearing impairment, had to readjust to new tools and quickly adopt different ways of learning when the shift to online learning occurred during his PhD program in Audiology.
Despite having the theoretical knowledge at his disposal, he recalls feeling nervous when the final assessment included an oral exam through Zoom.
He shared his concerns with his supervisor who ensured that Changgeng received ample support to take the test. HKU CEDARS-SEN Support worked with Changgeng’s supervisor to create an environment with minimal distractions and a system that worked for him.
During the examination, Changgeng was provided with a room equipped with a better sound system, used a speech-to-text function, and had a recalibrated loudspeaker to ensure clear hearing of the examiner.
“At first, I was worried and had concerns about this oral exam. The staff at CEDARS-SEN Support and their preparations helped me feel better,” Changgeng said.
“Participating throughout the process allowed me to be confident as I had a better grasp of the environment with the added accommodations. I felt relaxed during the oral examination.”
Changgeng’s experience with CEDARS-SEN Support made him grateful for the efforts undertaken by the facility for students with SEN. It also made him realize how unaware some students and staff are about the day-to-day efforts students with SEN need to take just to be on par with their peers.
Navigating everyday life with a disability can be challenging as it is, and the global pandemic further disrupted normalcy for many. Changgeng hopes that the community can take this opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of the unique challenges faced by students with SEN. By promoting inclusivity, we can create an environment where all students have equal opportunities to succeed.
Changgeng’s experience serves as a reminder that empathy and proactive measures are key in ensuring that students with SEN get the chance to thrive academically and feel included in society.