Dr. Tong's principle is to put students first. Convinced that many students with academic problems can be helped, Dr. Tong is tireless in his mentoring and advising activities. He knows nearly every undergraduate and postgraduate student in the Mathematics Department by name and academic performance. On account of his efforts a student who was required to repeat Year 1, eventually graduated with a second class upper division honours degree, went on to obtain an MPhil, and is now studying for his PhD. Because of Dr. Tong's close relationship with students, he is an extremely effective ambassador between students and faculty members. He frequently detects and helps resolve problems in their initial stages. Through Dr. Tong's leadership and innovation, a third year subject that was repeatedly criticized by students and lecturers alike was transformed into the capstone subject that it was intended to be. Much of the curriculum development in the Mathematics Department's undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses has felt Dr. Tong's impact.
