Service-Learning Teacher Development Course 2026: Certificate in Service-Learning Pedagogy and Practice
Highlights
- Fundamental Principles and Theories + Pedagogical Project Design + Research-Based Findings + Case Studies Sharing + Onsite Experience in Manila + Project Proposal Development
About the course
Service-Learning (SL) is an experiential learning approach that combines community service with academic study and reflection to nurture students’ empathy and social responsibility.
This course is tailored for educators and practitioners at the higher education level. Face-to-face components will be held in Manila, the Philippines from 5-9 January 2026.
A PolyU Continuing Education certificate will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the course.
Course Components
- E-Learning module and concept test
- Face-to-face lectures, seminars, and on-site visits (40 hours)
- Design your own SL program with professional feedback
What will you learn?
- General principles and theories of academic SL
- SL and other forms of community-engaged experiential learning
- High-impact pedagogical factors, potential pitfalls, and risks
- Designing effective SL programs
- Assessing student performance and facilitating reflection
- Research and evaluation of SL programs
On-site service-learning project visits
- AI education workshop for primary school students
- Vision screening for the community
- Health promotion and assessment for elderly with cognitive impairment
Eligibility
- Bachelor’s degree awarded by a recognised institution
- Priority will be given to teaching/academic staff at higher education institutions
Course Fee
USD 500
*Includes course fee and materials.
*Participants who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for financial aid upon satisfactory completion of the course.
Key Dates
|
Information session (online) |
10 Oct 2025 (Fri) 3:00-4:00pm HKT |
| Course registration deadline | 17 Nov 2025 (Mon) 11:59pm HKT |
| Admission results | 21 Nov 2025 (Fri) |
| E-Learning & self-study | Starting from 25 Nov 2025 (Tue) |
| Face-to face component in Manila | 5-9 Jan 2026 (Mon to Fri) |
Information Session(Online) Registration
Date: 10 Oct 2025 (Fri)
Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm (HK Time)
Link: https://forms.office.com/r/DqcPz2XHcy
Course Registration
Deadline: by 11:59pm HKT, 17 Nov 2025 (Mon)
Link: https://forms.office.com/r/fEnprMSeGG
Why choose PolyU?
With over a decade of development, PolyU’s SL has grown from 6 subjects and 200 students in 2012 to over 60 subjects and more than 4,500 students annually now.
Our service projects have expanded beyond Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland to countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Rwanda, Vietnam, Tanzania, and The Philippines. These projects improve the lives of people in need and inspire students to become responsible professionals and global citizens.
Award-Winning Excellence
- Silver Winner of the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2024
- Winner of THE Awards Asia 2022: Teaching and Learning Strategy of the Year
- 2020 International Research Award from the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE)
About the Instructors
(Left to right: Professor Stephen Chan; Professor Grace Ngai)
Professor Grace Ngai – Head of Service-Learning and Leadership Office (SLLO) and Associate Professor of Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Professor Stephen Chan – Founding Head of SLLO, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Board member of IARSLCE
Both Professor Ngai and Professor Chan have been instrumental in integrating SL into PolyU’s curriculum, expanding projects globally, and pioneering innovative pedagogical practices.
Innovative pedagogical practices pioneered:
- Multicultural student teams through partnerships with local NGOs
- Service-learning exchange and internship programs
- Global SL classroom, allowing PolyU students and their overseas peers to:
○ Attend the same lectures via video conferencing
○ Develop project ideas collaboratively
○ Implement projects together in person at the service location
E-poster
Enquiries
