Policies & Guidelines
- Service-Learning Requirement
- Definition of Service-Learning at PolyU
- Types of Service-Learning Subjects
- Criteria for a Service-Learning Subject
- Operational and Funding Models for Service-Learning Subjects
- Risk Management
- Credit Transfer
- Target Students and Selection
- Declaration of Conflict of Interest
- Downloads
The Senate-approved overall curriculum framework for the 4-year undergraduate degree structure (December 2010) stipulates that all students qualifying for the degree from 2012/13 onwards must successfully complete one 3-credit subject designated to meet the Service-Learning Requirement. |
|
Back to Top |
In the context of subject development and approval for meeting the Service-Learning Requirement, PolyU adopts a broader definition of service-learning which entails both
Please note, however, that for service projects, direct or indirect, to be counted as service-learning, they must
Both local and offshore service activities can be included. |
|||||||||||||||
Back to Top |
Interested departments or staff can propose subjects that fulfil the Service-Learning requirement. These subjects may take the following forms:
Prior approval from the Head of the offering Department must be obtained for all subject proposals. Individual programmes are strongly encouraged to give students maximal flexibility in choosing from the range of service-learning subjects available across the University to fulfil the Service-Learning Requirement, wherever possible. |
|||||||
Back to Top |
To qualify as a subject meeting the Service-Learning Requirement of PolyU, the proposed subject:
|
|||||||||||||||||
Back to Top |
Operational and Funding Models for Service-Learning Subjects |
|||||||||
The teaching and operations of Service-Learning subjects are different from those of other general subjects as they include a community service component as part of the course requirement. It is important that the community service component is properly implemented to ensure quality learning outcomes. The provision of regular project supervision and good communication with the collaborating agency partners or service users are two key factors for success. There are some possible operational models that can be considered by departments when planning their SL subjects:
Service-Learning subjects are funded by the University on per credit per student basis to the one-line budget of the department, and the related funding covers both the teaching and project components of the subject. The funding for SL subjects is higher than that for a normal GUR subject, taken into account that extra costs may be required in carrying out the community service project.
For subjects involving more than one department, e.g. those operated by models (b), (c) and (d) mentioned above, funding in proportion to the work involved should be given to all the parties involved to recognize their respective manpower input. Subject proposers please indicate the distribution of workload and funding amongst departments in the subject proposal form. |
|||||||||
Back to Top |
Service-Learning subjects/projects involve out-of-classroom activities in different settings and places. PolyU staff, students and the related parties such as the service recipients may be exposed to risky situations that warrant special attention. The subject/project leader and the subject offering department have the responsibility to follow the risk management policies developed by Service-Learning and Leadership Office, draw up and update the risk management plan, and monitor and review the implementation of the risk control measures of their own SL subject/project. At the subject proposal stage, the subject proposers must conduct a preliminary risk assessment and draw up a risk management plan for the subject proposed. The information provided will assist the Sub-Committee on Service-Learning Subjects to consider the subject proposal’s suitability. It is the responsibility of the subject proposer(s) to ensure accuracy of the information provided. The Sub-Committee may ask the subject proposer to provide further information for clarification. For details of the risk management policies and guidelines, please refer to the "Risk Management Handbook for Service-Learning at PolyU" published by Service-Learning and Leadership Office. |
|
Back to Top |
Some students may request credit transfer for Service-Learning subjects. For applications with corresponding subject indicated, Programme host department will send the application forms together with the supporting documents (including detailed syllabus) to the subject offering department for consideration. For applications without corresponding subjects indicated, applications should be submitted to Service-Learning and Leadership Office (SLLO) via the Programme host department. If in doubt, SLLO should consult the Sub-committee on Service-Learning Subjects. The principles for the granting of Credit Transfer of Service-Learning subjects are:-
For details, please refer to the "Guidelines for Credit Transfer of General University Requirements Subjects under the 4-Year Undergraduate Curriculum". |
|||||||||
Back to Top |
Subject-offering department/staff should indicate clearly whether the subject is open to all students or is intended only for students of a particular broad discipline/department/ programme, or for students with certain prior knowledge or background needed for the service. If necessary, subject-offering department/staff can set up mechanisms and processes for selecting the most qualified/appropriate students for enrolling in the subject. In these cases, the criteria for selection should be transparent to the students. It is understood that since the service beneficiaries in Hong Kong are mostly Cantonese-speaking people and those in Chinese mainland Putonghua-speaking, students who speak Cantonese and/or Putonghua will have an advantage during service delivery. However, departments are advised not to set any language requirement on the target students, unless it is absolutely necessary that this requirement apply to 100% of the students in the class. If the proposed subject really can only accept Cantonese- or Putonghua-speaking students, please give strong justifications for consideration. |
|
Back to Top |
All staff members involved in the subject proposal are required to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest in the proposed subject, including but not limited to the selection of collaborating partner(s) or beneficiaries for the subject. |
|
Back to Top |
|
|||||||
Back to Top |