PolyU Hosts Inaugural International Symposium Series on Service-Learning in Higher Education for a Shared Future
24 Nov 2025
Participating delegates and guests posed for a group photo.
Prof. CAO Jiannong, PolyU Vice President (Education), welcomed all symposium participants at the opening.
Prof. Grace NGAI, Head, Service-Learning and Leadership Office, delivered the introductory remarks at the beginning of the symposium.
Plenary Discussion at the symposium, chaired by Prof. Andrew FURCO.
At The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), we view ourselves as active contributors dedicated to integrating service-learning into every facet of institutional identity and campus life, and committed to advancing service-learning worldwide. Jointly organised by PolyU’s Service-Learning and Leadership Office (SLLO) and the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN), with support from the Department of Computing, the inaugural symposium of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University International Symposium Series on Service-Learning in Higher Education for a Shared Future was held on 13–14 November 2025 at the Wong Man and Tang Kit Wah Global Student Hub. It kicked off a five-year series designed to encourage dialogue, collaboration, and a richer understanding of service-learning and community engagement (SLCE) across diverse global landscapes.
The 2025 inaugural symposium was held under the theme: “Shared Challenges and Opportunities in Institutionalization of Service-Learning and Fostering Civic Engagement”, and it welcomed over 40 participants—including prominent speakers, discussants, special guests, and attendees—from universities, institutes, and associations across China and North America, fostering valuable exchanges and shared perspectives on service-learning. The symposium commenced with an inspiring opening speech by Prof. CAO Jiannong, PolyU Vice President (Education), who emphasised that service-learning is one of the most meaningful expressions of the University’s mission, which is to cultivate professional competence and promote civic responsibility and global awareness. PolyU has set an ambitious target to enable 50% of its undergraduate students to engage in service-learning beyond Hong Kong. This goal is about to be achieved.
The event was designed as a dialogue cum workshop, providing a unique platform for participants to engage in rich discussions about how different cultural and institutional ecosystems shape service-learning and civic engagement practices. Throughout the two-day programme, the symposium featured a variety of interactive guided discussions and working sessions. Participants were divided into four groups, each corresponding to one of the key “players” in the service-learning ecosystem: teachers, students, institutions, and the community. Each plenary discussion and sharing session offered participants the opportunity to share their insights and experiences, further enriching the collective understanding of service-learning practices across different contexts.
The enthusiastic participation and meaningful dialogue at this inaugural symposium fostered a collaborative exploration of the ecosystem of service-learning and community engagement. Throughout the symposium, participants exchanged ideas about good practices, challenges, and opportunities. Participants left the symposium inspired and equipped with new insights, practical strategies, and strengthened connections, laying a strong foundation for ongoing collaboration and future symposia in the five-year series.
