Aside from the I·CARE Programme, CUHK offers a wealth
of social and civic engagement opportunities provided
by colleges, academic departments, administrative and
service departments, as well as student associations. These
organisations differ in their interests, concerns and stances;
here, we’d like to give you the full picture of the plenitude of
opportunities available. We encourage you to keep an open
mind and ear to new experiences and live your college life to
its richest!
Social and Civic Engagement
on Campus
Chung Chi College
United College
Chung Chi College has aspired to nurture a sense of community
care in students ever since its inception. The College’s Service-
Learning Centre organises a wide range of Service-Learning
Programmes in local, mainland and international settings every
summer.
Through the Local Programme, Chung Chi students have organised
various activities for the elderly, children from low-income
families, rehabilitated substance abusers, etc. As for the Mainland
Programme, students have served at local schools and communities
in various mainland regions, such as Zhongshan in Guangdong
Province and Guilin in Guangxi Province. Students participating
in the International Programme visited countries such as Korea,
Japan, India, Indonesia and the Philippines to work with local social
service agencies and higher education institutes there to serve
underprivileged communities. During the three months of planning,
preparation and service, students gained not only a clearer idea of
the underprivileged communities, but also a deeper understanding
of different social phenomena. The discussions and reflection also
had a great impact on their personal growth. Both the Local and
Mainland Programmes are part of the College General Education
course ‘GECC4130 Senior Seminar’. Students will give group
presentations and hand in written reports on their service and
learning in formal classes.
Apart from the General Education course, the College has
established a long-term partnership with the Chinese YMCA of
Hong Kong and created the Uni-Y (CCC) to organise a diversity
of leadership training and social service activities. In addition, the
College provides funding to self-initiated student service teams,
such as the Rotaract Club of ChungChi College andChungChi The
Sun, who wish to provide sustainable service projects in mainland
and overseas regions.
To reinforce the College motto on ‘Xin Min’ and nurture
students to help those in need, the College has organised
different kinds of service-learning programmes that allow
students to participate in social service activities and develop
their own potentials while contributing to society. Back in 2002,
the College had already launched the Social Service Award
Scheme to promote voluntary service for the benefit of the
local community. United College students who take part in the
scheme each receive a Record Book of Volunteer Service. The
Bronze Prize is given to those who have done 50 or more hours
of voluntary service in one year; the Silver Prize is for those who
have done 110 or more hours of service in two consecutive
years; whereas the Gold Prize recognise those who have
provided 200 or more hours of service in three consecutive
years. Today, around two thirds of the College’s students have
their own Record Book.
A number of student societies of the College, including the
We Love Hong Kong Social Service Society, the New Asia
Rotaract Club, and the Student Social Service Group, regularly
organise an array of social service activities to enhance students’
awareness of society and the people in need. Additionally,
the College provides various learning opportunities that allow
students to participate in overseas social services, such as the
New Asia College/ Yale University Summer Community Service
Exchange and New Asia College/ Hunan University Summer
In 2012, the College created a
one-unit credit-bearing course,
‘GEUC2101 Social Service:
Participation and Reflection’,
for year two and year three
students as part of the College’s
General Education programme.
In the course, students are able
to learn from actual service
experiences as they are divided
into smaller groups to organise
service projects. Each year, as
many as 400 students select this
course.
A new Service Learning
Internship Programme was also launched in 2014 for students
who have a desire to serve others. The Programme arrange
overseas internships at non-profit organisations in locations such
as China, Taiwan and Myanmar. By servicing the poor and the
marginalised and understanding their lives, students can make
use of their knowledge and talents, while working alongside
experienced volunteers who have dedicated their lives to
helping others.
Exchange Programme. These summer service programmes
aim to encourage students to explore the meaning of ‘global
citizenship’ in view of poverty and development issues, human
rights, and cultural diversity by providing social services and
visiting the underprivileged community. The College strongly
supports service learning by providing financial assistance
to participants and related student bodies, and also actively
encourages them to promote social services.
New Asia College
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