News and Highlights

QS Reimagine Education Awards 2024

PolyU's flagship service-learning initiative is an integrated experiential learning pedagogy embedding social responsibility and civic engagement into its undergraduate curriculum. In particular, non-local service-learning opportunities enable students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures while applying their knowledge and skills to foster a deeper understanding of the world's interconnectedness and the importance of cross-cultural collaboration.   Recently, we made another milestone! We are thrilled to announce that our "Habitat Green: A Hong Kong-African Collaboration in Sustainability Education and Action" has been honoured with the Silver Award in the Sustainability Education Action category by the prestigious QS Reimagine Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in service-learning and our dedication to driving community collaboration!    This project is one of PolyU's most significant and impactful Service-Learning programmes, led by Prof. Grace Ngai and Dr Stephen Chan. It takes students to developing countries in Africa, where they collaborate with their young counterparts to provide services to impoverished communities. These services include installing home solar power systems, offering health assessments, conducting workshops in tailoring and fashion, and more. Based on the establishment of mutually empowering partnerships between universities and communities, it integrates educational objectives with addressing community needs to improve residents' quality of life and enhance their capacity and potential while also providing valuable opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable development issues and to develop intercultural sensitivity. This fosters responsible global citizenship and encourages educational institutions to commit more to social responsibility and sustainable development.   We are grateful to everyone who has offered support, hard work, and creativity, making this achievement possible! And our most incredible gratitude goes to Ir Dr Wong Tit Shing, who has supported this project almost since its inception!   Let us take you to understand what Habitat Green is about in this 2-minute video:   The Reimagine Education Awards are a global contest co-organized by Quacquarelli Symonds, compiler of the QS World University Rankings, and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Known as the Oscars in the education sector, the Awards aim to reward higher education institutions that have created and implemented outstanding new approaches to teaching and learning. This year, more than 1,300 applications were received from all over the world.

SERVICE-LEARNING at POLYU for Staff 2024

Internationalization and global engagement are key objectives of the PolyU Strategic Plan 2019-25. Service-Learning (SL) is expected to play an indispensable role. The University envisions that, by the 2027/28 academic year, 50% of the undergraduate students will undertake non-local SL. At the same time, our undergraduate population will also increase in the next few years. In line with the University’s direction and the growing number of undergraduate students, SLLO is organising three activities for staff this summer to build PolyU’s capacity to support these initiatives: Teacher Development Course on Service-Learning   Service-Learning Vision Tours    Service-Learning Programme in Rwanda   Information Session Date: 28 March 2024 Time: 5:30 – 6:30 pm (HKT) Venue: via ZOOM Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/r/Rgk89qTsDm   Enquiry: Ms. Eugene Cheung T: +852 3400 3410 E: eugene.lp.cheung@polyu.edu.hk

Service-Learning Photo Exhibition

About the Event The Service-Learning Photo Exhibition will be opened soon! This photo exhibition aims to showcase our extensive non-local service-learning projects, presented vividly through photography works.   Event Dates Start Date 12 Sept 2023 (Tue) End Date 15 Sept 2023 (Fri) Venue Logo Square (Chan Sui Kan and Chan Lam Moon Chun Square) Come during 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on these days for some fun activities and you may have a chance to win a surprise gift!    

A.I. for Social: Good Drone x Object Recognition Workshop cum Competition

A.I. for Social Good: Drone x Object Recognition Workshop cum Competition A.I. for Social Good: 無人機 x人工智能物件辨識工作坊暨比賽 A.I. for Social Good: Drone x Object Recognition Workshop cum Competition is a joint initiative developed by the Department of Computing and Service-Learning & Leadership Office of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) in AY2022/23. In this project, 190 PolyU students formed in teams to conduct workshop on A.I. object recognition, machine-learning and drone operation with block programming for youngsters in Hong Kong and South Africa. After completion of the 10-to-12-hour workshop, youngsters participated in the competitions in teams to showcase their programming skills for a drone flying mission and presented their original ideas on A.I. object recognition x drone application for social good. 由香港理工大學（理大）電子計算學系與服務學習及領導才能發展處合辦，於2022/23學年舉行。當中190名理大學生分成小組教導香港及南非青少年人工智能物件辨識、機器學習、無人機操控和編程的知識。青少年完成十至十二小時的工作坊後，以小組形式參與比賽，從中展示如何以編程操控無人機完成飛行任務，並就無人機與人工智能物件辨識的創新應用方案進行匯報。   Competition Details 比賽詳情         

Make My Eyes: World Youth A.I. Object Recognition Programming Competition

Make My Eyes: World Youth A.I. Object Recognition Programming Competition 世界青少年人工智能物件辨識編程比賽 Make My Eyes: World Youth A.I. Object Recognition Programming Workshop cum Competition is a joint initiativ developed by the Department of Computing and Service-Learning & Leadership Office of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in AY2021/22. With the goal of raising students’ awareness of information/digital divide, PolyU students transferred knowledge of A.I. object recognition, machine-learning, and block programming to younger peers in Hong Kong, South Africa, India and the Philippines under the theme of visual impairment and accessibility in July and August 2022. Make My Eyes: 世界青少年人工智能物件辨識編程工作坊暨比賽由香港理工大學（理大）電子計算學系與服務學習及領導才能發展處合辦。為了提升學生對資訊/數碼鴻溝議題的關注，理大學生指導香港、南非、印度及菲律賓青少年，學習有關機器學習和編程的知識，並製作簡單的人工智能物件辨識系統，透過比賽，體驗科技如何提升視障人士的生活質素。   Competition Details 比賽詳情 Upon completing a 10-hour face-to-face or online training workshop, learners were divided into small teams to build their own A.I. object recognition system. Each team used their system to complete a series of tasks blindfolded to test the system’s effectiveness while putting themselves into the shoes of people challenged by sight loss. 參加者以小組形式，完成十小時的面授或線上教學工作坊，學習製作簡單的人工智能物件辨識系統。每組需要利用自創系統，完成三個蒙眼任務，體會視障人士日常生活中遇到的挑戰，了解人工智能物件辨識科技如何便利視障人士的生活。   Task 1: Find the Right Instant Noodle 找杯麵任務 In each team, a player will be given a set of five instant noodles of the same brand, shape, size, and weight but in different flavours. Blindfolded, he/she needs to identify the right flavour AS FAST AS possible using their object recognition system. 每組一位玩家戴上眼罩，利用其人工智能物件辨識系統，在五個品牌、體積、重量完全相同的包裝即食麵或杯麵中找出特定口味，時間越快越好。 Task 2: Sort the Lollipops 棒棒糖分類任務 In each team, a player will be given a bag of lollipops with mixed flavours. Blindfolded, he/she must sort AS MANY lollipops as possible by placing them into four different containers using their object recognition system withintwominutes. 每組一位玩家戴上眼罩，利用其人工智能物件辨識系統，於兩分鐘内將一堆不同口味的棒棒糖按四個指定類別，分別放進四個紙杯，數量越多越好。 Task 3: Read the Emojis 表情符號閱讀理解任務 In each team, blindfolded players will work together to “read” the emojis of a passage that mimics tactile using their object recognition system then answer ten multiple-choice questions. 每組兩位玩家戴上眼罩，利用其人工智能物件辨識系統，透過觸感「閲讀」文章中的表情符號，並回答十條多項選擇題，越多正確答案越好。 Top 10 Performers (Global Category) 十大優秀組別 (國際賽) The performance of each team will be recorded to determine the Champion, 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up of each participating unit. The performance will also be used to compare with teams worldwide to determine awardees for the Global Category. Among the 80 teams joining the Competition from different parts of the world, we send our warmest congratulations to the those who made itinto the top 10. Please refer to the table below: 主辦單位按各組於三個任務中的表現，向各個參與單位分別頒發冠、亞、季軍獎項，以示嘉許。此外，大會亦透過把所有參與單位，合共八十個參賽隊伍的表現作比對，表揚在國際層面上表現最出色的十個組別，詳見下方。   Ranking (Final Score) Participating Unit / Team Task 1 Best Time (sec) Task 2 Number of lollipops sorted (piece) Task 3 Number of correct answers 1 (275) The Philippines University of Santo Thomas Danielle Sta.Rosa Laetitia Alessandra David Louise Randell-so R. Fabico 3.86 22 10 2 (265) The Philippines Camarines Sur National High School Padayao, dankhel Nicho Vince, Lian Ros Caceres, Diane Cana Flores, John Benedict 4.76 23 10 3 (250) India Salesian College - Siliguri Biraj Nag Bhumi More Khushi Sangwan Sahil Kumar Jha 5 18 10 3 (250) The Philippines Camarines Sur National High School Remoquillo, Emmanuel Mari Acabado, Maxene Carino, Jhovanni Labor, Trisha Mae T. 6 28 8 4 (240) India Salesian College - Sonada Samten Dolma Sherpa Arbin Tamang Anmol Rai Sonam Sherpa 3.1 14 9 5 (225) The Philippines Camarines Sur National High School France, Christian Essen Mendoza Botor, Johenes III Credo, Manresa Gillie Bejerano, RHey 5.94 18 8 6 (215) India Salesian College - Siliguri Kaushar Mitra Arunima Basu Ahona Ghosh Archishman Thakur 7 19 9 7 (210) India Salesian College - Siliguri Sristi Pal Akshat Kumar A. Mrithika Pragnya Saha 9 18 10 8 (205) Hong Kong Tak Sun School 歐頌希 周承軒 賴偉軒 6 9 10 9 (200) South Africa Township Learners Maluleka Khensane Mbali Maluleke Karabo Sikhonsana Khensani Mokwana Khomotso 4 13 6 9 (200) The Philippines University of Santo Tomas Zyro C. Gonzales Juliana Corrales Tashannah H. Doller 6.98 14 9 10 (195) Hong Kong Tak Sun School 賴昉言 林韋樂 李聿熹 8 13 10   Design Award 設計獎 The Design Award was also set up to recognise learners’ efforts in making their A.I. object recognition system functional and visually appealing. The Judging Panel selected the best design according to usefulness and usability based on the 2-minute video showcasing the lollipop sorting system submitted by each team. 大會另設設計獎，以肯定小組別在提升其物件辨識系統效能、可用性及吸引力方面的努力。每組向主辦單位提交一段不多於兩分鐘的系統展示片段，由大會評審選出冠、亞、季軍得主，詳見下方。   Ranking Participating Unit Team Champion冠軍 India Salesian College - Siliguri Sristi Pal Akshat Kumar A. Mrithika Pragnya Saha 1st Runner Up亞軍 Hong Kong Tak Sun School 李卓軒 李立言 汗載恩 2nd Runner Up季軍 India Salesian College - Siliguri Priya Raj Sanvi Agarwal Nimisha Biyani Debasmita Basak    

Service-Learning at PolyU wins THE Awards Asia 2022

The Times Higher Education Awards are widely recognised as the 'Oscars of higher education'. We are honoured to receive THE Awards Asia 2022 : Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year. PolyU institutionalized a comprehensive service-learning component into our undergraduate curriculum to meet the needs of today’s society for adaptable, socially responsible, and civic-minded professionals. Our service-learning programme integrates rigorous academic learning with meaningful community service and critical reflection, through which we expect students to deepen their understanding of academic concepts and apply them for the betterment of society. We also expect them to learn how to collaborate with others, creatively solve problems, think critically, and build character – in short, to be a 21st-century global citizen. Achieving this required a holistic, sustainable and institutionalized strategy that is inclusive and supportive with high standards of quality and outcomes, targetting multiple aspects of teaching and learning. The success of our strategy is demonstrated via strong positive impacts on students and community – 2021 saw 4,508 students enrolled into 69 subjects, contributing over 180,000 hours of community service – along with external recognitions and leadership. For the awards details, please refer to THE Awards Asia 2022.   

The Winner of Outstanding Student Award 2020

Maggie Tsin-tung NG The Winner of Outstanding Student Award 2020 on her unforgettable Service-Learning (SL) experience at PolyU, what keeps her committed to community services, and how she would like to motivate herself to serve others after graduation.

PolyU hosted “Global Youth Leaders Summit 2020” to re-connect young minds around the world despite global distancing

2018 Youth Leader - SOAR Youth Leadership Programme 2018/19

Dicky is studying in PolyU and participating in the 1-year SOAR Youth Leadership Programme (SOAR) in collaboration with Peking University. With the programme, he went to Beijing, Yunnan and Israel this academic year. He has also launched a one-to-one companion programme. Hear out what he says!

Youth Leader - Global Youth Leaders Summit 2017

Shoshi studied in the University of Haifa and took part in the first student initiated project in association with the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN) to Uganda in Summer 2018. Hear out what she says!