News and Highlights

Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Exchange Programme 2023

Would you like an immersive service-learning exchange experience co-organized by renowned US universities such as University of Southern California and University of Maryland, College Park? Would you like to explore food culture and justice in Hong Kong and in L.A.? Would you like to be part of a global team with students from the University of Maryland? Would you like to develop yourself as a globally and civically engaged professional in your field? Apply NOW to the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Exchange Programme in 2023 funded by the Lee Hysan Foundation! Programme Description: The Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (SLCE) Exchange Programme is funded by the Lee Hysan Foundation. The objective is to develop students’ global citizenship and social responsibility beyond the service-learning requirement through a service-learning (SL) exchange. Eligibility: Current PolyU full-time undergraduate students who have passed a service-learning subject with at least a B+ or above. Scholarship: Selected students will receive a scholarship to cover all basic expenses (program fee, travel costs, accommodation and board). Successful applicants will be titled “Lee Hysan Service-Learning Scholars” (LHF-SL Scholars). Partner Universities: University of Southern California (USC) University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) Programme Schedule : Feb – May 2023 (18 Feb, 25 Feb, 4 Mar, 11 Mar, 1 Apr) (25 Feb, 4 Mar, 11 Mar, 18 Mar, 1 Apr) Preparation: Global Classroom (five online sessions with U.S. students as pre-exchange preparation) Mid May – Early Jun 2023 SLCE Exchange (inbound): U.S. students in Hong Kong Mid Jun – Mid Jul 2023 (tentative) SLCE Exchange (outbound): PolyU students in the U.S. - UMD: 10 Jun – 8 Jul 2023 - USC: 15 Jun – 14 Jul 2023 Application Schedule:  14 Oct 2022 (Fri) Zoom Information Session 12:30 – 13:30   View recording and slides HERE#   31 Oct 2022 (Mon) Application deadline Application method: review application guidelines HERE# and submit the online application form HERE#  23-25 Nov 2022  28-29 Nov 2022 Selection interviews  Dec 2022 Result announcement #Connect account log-in is required to access the registration and application forms. Enquiry: 3400 8530  slloinfo@polyu.edu.hk TU428 *** Please visit this webpage for the most updated information. ***

The 2nd Cross-Strait Hong Kong and Macau Service-Learning Conference

Service-Learning, a highly effective pedagogy fostering academic learning, holistic development and citizenship education, is getting more popular in Mainland China. The First Cross-Strait and Hong Kong Service-Learning Conference were co-organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University PolyU and Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2019. In 2022, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Fudan University will co-organize the 2nd Cross-Strait, Hong Kong and Macau Service-Learning Conference from 2 to 3 September 2022. With the aims to promote impactful service-learning education in higher education institutions and facilitate knowledge and experience exchange among service-learning academics, researchers, and practitioners, the conference will be held online. The conference will be conducted in Putonghua. Registration fee is zero. Welcome to register. For details, please see the Chinese version below.

Leadership Academy for Responsible Global Citizenship (LARGC)

The Leadership Academy for Responsible Global Citizenship (LARGC), organized by the Service-Learning and Leadership Office (SLLO), aspires to be a pioneering platform supporting international education, research and exchange for global citizenship and leadership development. This platform offers solid training for students on civic responsibility and leadership through PolyU’s well-structured service-learning and leadership programmes in a cross-cultural and boundary-crossing setting. It was first launched in 2020/21 with three service-learning & leadership programmes, namely Habitat Green in East Africa, One World Our World and Generation-C Serve. In total, 156 PolyU students and over 50 students from other universities participated in the programmes. In 2021/22, together with the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN), we will have three local and international programmes with a number of credit-bearing service-learning programmes in Hong Kong and Rwanda.

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    

International Service-Learning Conference

One World Our World

Leadership Academy for Responsible Global Citizenship: One World Our World (OWOW) is a pioneering international education and exchange programme on the themes of global leadership and responsible citizenship development. OWOW aims to educate students on issues of civic responsibility and leadership through PolyU’s well-structured Service-Learning programmes, in a cross-cultural and boundary-crossing setting.   This programme will be held from 11 June – 16 July 2022 in Hong Kong. Participating students will join one of the four participating service-learning subjects (see below). Students will have ample opportunities to learn and work in multicultural team. They will learn about the challenges faced by their target community and acquire knowledge and skills to serve them through an innovative service project. In collaboration with their peers and community members, they will actualize the project to create real impact. Through this service, students will learn to develop empathy and a sense of global citizenship. Supplementing the service project will be talks from experts, open dialogues, interactive workshops on intercultural competences and local field visits.   Information Session Date: 20 January 2022 (Thur) Time: 12:30-13:30 Zoom Meeting: https://polyu.zoom.us/j/98737451996 Meeting ID: 987 3745 1996 (Passcode: owow) Each session accommodates up to 100 students on a first-come-first-served basis. All PolyU UG students are welcome.  You MUST login with your PolyU account (@connect.polyu.hk) via Zoom to be admitted into the session.   Distinguishing Features Serve the Community through PolyU’s Service-Learning Projects Complete one of PolyU’s signature service-learning projects and serve the Hong Kong community with acquired professional knowledge and skills Inspiring Talks from Experts, Thematic Workshops and Field Visits To be inspired by eminent academics or community leaders, in interactive thematic workshops and field visits for a broader and deeper understanding of Hong Kong and global community Global and Boundary-Crossing Connection and Ideas Learning and serving intensively and closely with students across the globe who are committed to the betterment of the global community

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.   

Teacher Development Course 2022

Service-Learning in Higher Education: Teacher Development Course 2022

Online Symposium on Academic Service-Learning in Higher Education

Online Symposium on Academic Service-Learning in Higher Education 高等教育服務學習學術研討會 (線上)   Date: 9 July 2021 (Friday) Time: 9 am to 12 noon Venue: Online Language: Putonghua   The symposium aims to discuss how to implement SL in higher education institutions. The first part is a plenary session; the speakers from PolyU, Shantou University and Fudan University will share the recent development and experience about SL in their own universities. The second part is a breakout session. Five groups with different themes will be facilitated by an experienced SL practitioner for in-depth discussion. Details and the application method can refer to the enclosed poster.   是次研討會目的是和內地高校教師探討如何在高校開展服務學習。活動分兩部分：第一部分為主題演講，由來自理大、復旦大學，以及汕頭大學的講者分享各校的服務學習發展概況及經驗分享；第二部分為分組討論，分為五個主題，由主持人引導與會者作深入的討論。

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.