Darius Wong
From online to in-person: How Darius Wong turned distance into connection
When Darius Wong travelled from Hong Kong to Wagga Wagga to graduate with his Master of Information Studies, he wasn’t just crossing countries – he was affirming a deep connection that began with online study and continues through the alumni community today.
On graduation day in Wagga Wagga, Darius Wong stood in his cap and gown, holding a Charles Sturt grad bear and smiling quietly to himself.
He had studied online. His classes were virtual, and his peers were scattered across regions and time zones. Yet standing under the April sky in 2024, surrounded by fellow graduates and the voices of a university he had only known from afar, it didn’t feel distant. It felt like belonging.
“Completing this degree means to me a modest closure to unfinished business, refreshed nuances to my voice, and a fountain of gratitude,” he reflects. “It even speaks gently – yet never without steadfastness – to my vision as I trek through the contested terrain of higher education. It beams hope and strength.”
Returning with purpose
Darius enrolled in the Master of Information Studies in 2022 through Charles Sturt University’s partnership with HKU SPACE. It was more than a professional step; it marked the continuation of an academic path he had once paused.
Years earlier, he began a postgraduate qualification in archival management in Scotland. While his direction shifted, the desire to finish remained. With the support of Charles Sturt’s credit recognition process, he was able to integrate his prior learning and move forward with clarity and intent.
“The positive sentiments cultivated by subject teachers cleared my doubts about distance learning before day one,” he says. “They were very responsive and nurturing. My peers were friendly and willing to share experiences and insights.”
That sense of community extended well beyond formal learning platforms. Through an informal Discord server, Darius engaged with fellow Information Studies students, exchanging ideas and building morale across borders and time zones.
Applying knowledge with care
While completing his degree, Darius took on a teaching role at The University of Hong Kong, guiding more than 200 undergraduate students in a newly introduced data literacy course. His focus was to help students develop research and communication skills while applying a humanistic lens to data visualisation and interpretation.
“Challenges are easily overcome by always putting students first – addressing concerns with empathy, offering consultations, and keeping communication channels open,” he explains.
Darius credits the Charles Sturt experience for shaping much of his teaching approach. The program’s research methods subject strengthened his confidence in facilitating inquiry, while the responsiveness of his lecturers modelled the kind of feedback-informed learning he now strives to deliver.
“Like any instructor who thrives on students’ commitment to learning and intellectual curiosity, I take great pride in facilitating their exploration and consolidation of academic skills so they can become confident leaders and advocates in their scholarships and, when they leave academia, their respective professions.”
Sustaining connection beyond graduation
Although he studied online, Darius’s relationship with Charles Sturt University remains both personal and enduring. When his Class of 2024 alumni T-shirt arrived by post in June – two months after his in-person graduation – it served as a simple but meaningful reminder of the journey he had taken, and the community that welcomed him.
In February 2025, he attended the Hong Kong Alumni Event, hosted in partnership with HKU SPACE. With more than 3,000 Charles Sturt graduates based in the region, the event highlighted the lasting impact of global study pathways and the strength of regional and international alumni connections.
For Darius, it was a moment to reconnect with the people and partnerships that supported his return to study, and to reaffirm the values he carries forward as an educator and contributor.
“Rather than ‘my field’, I’d advise students to prioritise trust – in work, studies, and life,” he shares. “Trust the processes. Trust people who make you feel loved. And trust your instincts when it comes to moving on and forward.”
From a student connecting through Discord to a graduate standing proudly in Wagga Wagga – and now an educator supporting future leaders in Hong Kong – Darius Wong’s story is one of renewal, connection and confidence. It is a reminder that belonging is not bound by distance, and that a Charles Sturt education can leave an imprint that lasts far beyond the classroom.