PolyU Organises Service Learning Programme in Sri Lanka: Empowering Global Communities through Technology

A delegation of 55 faculty, staff, and students from the Department of Land Surveying and Geospatial Science (LSGS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) recently completed a comprehensive service learning and technology demonstration programme named "Belt and Road Workshop Serieson Advanced Geospatial Technologies for Environmental and Urban Development" in Sri Lanka. Supported by the PolyU Belt and Road Network Initiative Scheme and organised under the Belt and Road Network on Applied Innovative Technologies for Environmental and Urban Development across Education, this multifaceted initiative successfully combined advanced technological innovation, environmental research, community engagement, and cross-cultural exchange. Ir Prof. Wallace Wai Lok LAI, Associate Head (Teaching) and Professor of LSGS, highlighted the pivotal role of this Service Learning programme in connecting academic knowledge with real-world challenges, fostering global citizenship, and nurturing socially responsible graduates. 

Going beyond short-term outreach, the LSGS team extended its impact by conducting field surveying and generating precise 3D digital site models for local partners, successfully translating technological expertise into tangible assets for long-term regional infrastructure management and community planning. The delegation also collaborated with the Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology (JRDC) to participate in local water sampling and quality analysis. This hands-on fieldwork allowed students to gain first-hand exposure to local sustainability initiatives while exploring how Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, satellite positioning, and broader geospatial technologies can actively support environmental monitoring. 

During the visit, the delegation participated in high-level academic exchanges at the University of Peradeniya, where they were warmly welcomed by the university's leadership, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Terrence MADHUJITH, who expressed strong optimism for future interdisciplinary research in climate change and water security. Adding to the academic enrichment, Dr. Yawei WANG from the Chinese Academy of Sciences delivered an inspiring guest lecture on scientific innovation and international collaboration, providing valuable insights into emerging technologies and prompting students to consider the broader societal impacts of scientific research. 

A core component of the programme was educational outreach across multiple primary and secondary schools in the Galle region, where LSGS students designed and delivered interactive workshops. Local youth gained firsthand experience with the entire spatial data lifecycle through cutting-edge tools, featuring Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for aerial mapping, and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for 3D point cloud data acquisition. Alongside these technology demonstrations, young scholars from the delegation hosted targeted higher education and career planning seminars, sharing scientific methodologies and global academic pathways to help local high school students broaden their international horizons. 

To promote youth development and build lasting international friendships, the delegation also hosted vibrant cultural exchange workshops that successfully broke down language barriers. Local Sri Lankan students engaged deeply with traditional Chinese culture through interactive lacquer fan making, tie-dye art, oriental music appreciation, and cooperative sports sessions, fostering meaningful mutual understanding and goodwill. The programme received highly positive feedback from local schools and community partners alike. For the participating PolyU students, the experience provided a unique opportunity to apply professional knowledge in a real-world setting while developing vital leadership, communication, and intercultural competencies. As Sri Lanka is an important partner country under the Belt and Road Initiative, this successful initiative reflects PolyU and LSGS’s enduring commitment to expanding international networks, driving cross-regional knowledge sharing, and fostering sustainable community development through continuous technological collaboration. 

Also in print: Ta Kung Pao, A17, 28 October 2026.

About the PolyU Belt and Road Network Initiative Scheme
The PolyU Belt and Road Network Initiative Scheme aims to support the academic units in organising conferences, seminars and events that align with PolyU's strategic goals and brand-building objectives in the Belt and Road regions. The Scheme is administered by PolyU Global Engagement Office. Further details are available on this webpage.