Professor Rachel Ngai’s life is a story of resilience, transformation, and the profound impact of education. Now a Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and a Senior Visiting Fellow at the HKUST Institute for Advanced Study, Professor Ngai (Graduate of HKUST BSc in Econ.) credits much of her success to the opportunities and support she received during her formative years as a student at HKUST.
Growing up in extreme poverty, Professor Ngai’s early life was anything but easy. “I was an underage worker. I’ve experienced times when I had no money for food and would tie a belt to sleep just to escape the hunger,” she recalls. Against all odds, she credits her journey from hardship to academic prominence to HKUST, which she says saw her true potential when few others did.
A Second Chance at Education
Professor Ngai’s path to higher education was unconventional. After underperforming in her secondary HKCEE exams, she faced significant obstacles. Her results excluded her from advanced classes, but a perceptive teacher saw untapped potential. The teacher created a special economics class for Professor Ngai and two other students, planting the seeds of possibility.
When her A-level results improved dramatically, HKUST became the turning point in her life. She recalls an economics professor interviewing her for hours and recognizing her drive and determination.
“He told me, ‘Turn down your other offers. You’ll see your name in the newspaper on August 15. You’ll be one of our students,’” she says. This pivotal moment embodied HKUST’s philosophy of seeing students as multidimensional individuals rather than mere academic statistics.
A Culture of Academic Freedom
HKUST’s unique culture of academic freedom and flexibility proved transformative for Professor Ngai. When she expressed a desire to take six subjects instead of the standard five, her professors didn’t hesitate to approve her request. This support helped accelerate her studies, completing her degree in just two and a half years.
The university’s broad curriculum exposed her to disciplines far beyond her core business studies. “I learned about theatre, opera, and even engineering. The first time I heard beautiful arias, I was in the library studying the translated Italian opera lyrics,” she shares. These experiences broadened her world, enriching her perspective and nurturing her intellectual curiosity.
Given the Right Opportunities
HKUST also provided Professor Ngai with her first experience of research, a stepping stone to her future career. As an undergraduate, she worked as a research assistant on a project exploring the economic dimensions of religion. This opportunity not only honed her analytical and academic skills but also sparked a deeper interest in exploring complex societal questions.
Her professors’ mentorship extended beyond academics. When asked about her future aspirations, she recalls hesitating before saying, “I want to be like you.” Her professor’s immediate response was to support her ambitions, helping her secure a scholarship for an exchange program at the University of Pennsylvania. There, she took PhD-level courses as an undergraduate, building an academic portfolio that would later secure her a full PhD fellowship.
Shaping a Vision for Success
Professor Ngai reflects that her story transcends personal triumph— it represents the power of institutional support, academic flexibility, and education’s transformative potential. HKUST didn’t just award her a degree; it gave her a platform to reimagine her life’s trajectory and carve a path toward success.
“Life success is about aligning what you’re good at with what you genuinely enjoy,” she explains, describing her time at HKUST as a defining period of self-discovery. The university’s multidisciplinary environment allowed her to uncover her strengths and develop her passions, laying the foundation for her future achievements.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Today, as a Professor of Economics and a mentor to the next generation of thinkers and leaders, Professor Ngai continues to inspire. Her advice to students is both powerful and deeply personal.
“Immerse yourself completely in the university experience,” she says. “Discover who you are—not by comparing yourself to others, but by exploring your own multidimensional talents.”
She encourages students to view their peers as collaborators rather than competitors, echoing the spirit of teamwork and support that she experienced during her time at HKUST.
Her message is clear and inspiring: embrace every opportunity, stay curious, and believe in your potential.
