In the past, many universities justly deserved to be called an ivory tower, a term used to describe “a state of privileged seclusion or separation from the facts and practicalities of the real world.”
But what if you could attend a university that gave you the opportunity to set up solar powered e-learning platform for underprivileged children in Rwanda? Or preserve the cultural heritage of a quake-hit village in rural China through eco-tourism?
If you were a student attending The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, that would be an exciting opportunity to apply your knowledge in improving the lives of those less fortunate. Starting in 2012 when the University implemented its four-year undergraduate curriculum, the Service-Learning programme has been a mandatory credit-bearing requirement. PolyU is the first university in Hong Kong to introduce such a programme.
This aligns with PolyU’s key goals of providing students with opportunities to become responsible global citizens who make meaningful contributions to the community. Through the Service-Learning programme, all undergraduate students are expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from their studies and help effect positive change.
According to President Prof. Timothy W. Tong, “We want to nurture global citizens and instil in them a serving heart and strong sense of social responsibility.” He adds that “Service-Learning is not just volunteer work. It’s an integral part of a holistic education.”
