A tribute to Varsity

I read your editorial entitled “Varsity celebrates 10th anniversary” in the March issue, and I would like to express my personal views about the magazine.

Having served on the Varsity staff for most of the past 9 years, I have witnessed major changes in the magazine.

Currently publishing six issues per year, Varsity is a very unique publication with a circulation reaching every university and secondary school in Hong Kong.

Though it is a practicum publication for young editors and reporters, many readers find it a useful tool to learn and improve upon their English writing skills.

Thus, it creates additional meaning and responsibility for both the publisher of the magazine and its staff.

Its contribution to learning goes far beyond providing a practical training to journalism students.

Since Varsity was first published in March 1993, chief editors over the years have seen fit to make changes to graphic design and content structure.

During the 2000-01 academic year, the magazine received many of these changes, most of which are continued by this year's staff.

One major difference is a decrease in the number of issues published annually.
In 2000, Varsity was still publishing eight issues per annum and editors had the opportunity to work and learn through all of them.

That practice provided enough time for students to polish their skills as editors, and for the chief editor to develop the leadership abilities required to manage a team of about 50 reporters and editors.

Improvements in the magazine could be easily seen by the end of the school year, and the feeling of satisfaction and achievement was great.

Today, only six issues per year are published, and with a new editorial team every three issues. The benefits over the old system are yet to be seen, but the challenge is still there.

Long-time readers of Varsity can identify the changes at every stage in the magazine’s development.

From an amateur look during its inaugural year to the professional style of today, Varsity has been keeping pace with advancements in printing technology and computer software.

It also reflects changes in the way students study journalism.

The word ‘varsity’, like ‘university,’ means pertaining to higher education. Students come and go every year, but the goals of Varsity remain the same.

Students come with high hopes of achieving a higher education and Varsity gives them this experience.

As Varsity moves on to the next decade, I would like to pay tribute to all those who worked hard to contribute to the project over these ten years.

Every past issue of Varsity, in fact, tells their stories.

Though I have moved to the United States, I left my heart in Varsity.

Mark Wong
Minneapolis, USA

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