HKBU Centre for Innovative Service-Learning - 創新服務學習中心

𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗶 𝗖𝗵𝗶 𝗪𝗼 🌿🏘️

Dr Kwok Kam Chau from 𝗚𝗙𝗖𝗖𝟭𝟬𝟰𝟱 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 took students to the traditional Hakka village of Lai Chi Wo, Sha Tau Kok, to see how Hakka culture is preserved and how it can grow in today’s Hong Kong. Students interviewed villagers, cleared weeds to support sustainable farming, and learned how agriculture sustains community and heritage. Students are now producing videos and presentation slides to share Lai Chi Wo’s stories and raise public awareness. Shoutout to living heritage!

Hong Kong’s young people face intensifying pressures around schooling, family relationships, and finances. A growing number are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). There is an urgent need for youth‑centred, strengths‑based, culturally resonant support that blends practical guidance with safe, judgement‑free spaces in which to explore identity and purpose.

One of our service‑learning courses, 𝗙𝗔𝗚𝗦𝟭𝟬𝟭𝟲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, has partnered with Hong Kong Christian Service. HKBU students have joined its MCube programme, which uses media as a conduit to engage young people who are navigating a period of uncertainty. The students will serve as near‑peer role models and co‑create two 15‑minute short films with teenagers mainly from Yuen Long District, co‑facilitated by instructors, social workers, and youth outreach partners. 🎬

In early February, our students went on site visits to Kam Tin and Yuen Long to develop a direct understanding of the community, which also gave them an excellent opportunity to conceive the plots. Subsequently, HKBU students will develop scripts and take on different production roles alongside the programme’s youth participants, working closely to complete the productions. 📝

The two 15‑minute short films will be showcased in late April. Stay tuned!

𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 & 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁, 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 🍊✨

Last week we welcomed the Year of the Horse with tasty bites, lucky draws, and big ideas in service-learning.

Dr Caixia CHU’s ITS2028 Global Challenges II took students into urban farms to plant, learn, and serve—using art and tech like AI chatbots to help farmers manage inventory.

Mr Sebastian Pahs’s EURO4216 spotlighted students who interviewed refugees in Hong Kong and turned their journeys into board games and a digital game powered by Gen AI.

We wrapped with an awards moment celebrating instructors accredited with the International Holistic Competency Accreditation—proof that these courses grow critical thinking, soft skills, and employability. 🏅

Inspired to build impact into your course? Reach out to be part of our service-learning community!

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆

Led by Prof Vincent Lee, the service-learning course 𝗦𝗢𝗪𝗞𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟴 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 explored the challenges faced by family carers of older adults with long-term care needs.

In partnership with the E.F.C.C. F**k On Church Elderly Centre, the course hosted Human Library sessions in which carers served as ‘living books’. Through first-hand conversations, HKBU students gained deeper insight into carers’ emotional journeys, daily realities and experiences of navigating social services. They then critically appraised existing policies and community support in Hong Kong, developing policy recommendations and innovative service proposals that strengthened their professional judgement. 📝

Building on relationships formed through the Human Library and final sharing sessions, students, carers and their families reconvened for a service day in late January. Divided into small groups, they enjoyed a relaxed afternoon at locations across Hong Kong 👣, including Shing Mun Reservoir, Ma Wan 1868, and the West Kowloon Cultural District—setting everyday pressures aside and connecting in person.

More than a classroom exercise, the initiative bridged academic learning and lived experience, deepened empathy, and amplified carers’ voices. 💖

𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲: 𝗖𝗼-𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In partnership with the Hong Chi Association (HCA) , students from our service-learning course 𝗩𝗔𝗥𝗧𝟯𝟯𝟵𝟳 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: 𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, led by Prof Anna Qin, co-created marquetry pieces inspired by HCA trainees’ paintings. 🖼️

We are grateful to ALBA for supporting the workshop by providing recycled cardboard and wooden pallets. Over a three-hour session, participants exchanged stories and learnt more about each other’s lives, with our students gaining fresh perspectives through the trainees’ art. 💖

Art served as a bridge, fostering meaningful connections and lasting memories for everyone. The students will now develop these co-created pieces into furniture for a late-April showcase. Stay tuned—we will share further details soon.

𝗔𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲: 𝗖𝗼-𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In partnership with the Hong Chi Association (HCA) , students from our service-learning course 𝗩𝗔𝗥𝗧𝟯𝟯𝟵𝟳 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼: 𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, led by Prof Anna Qin, co-created marquetry pieces inspired by HCA trainees’ paintings.

We are grateful to ALBA for supporting the workshop by providing recycled cardboard and wooden pallets. Over a three-hour session, participants exchanged stories and learnt more about each other’s lives, with our students gaining fresh perspectives through the trainees’ art.

Art served as a bridge, fostering meaningful connections and lasting memories for everyone. The students will now develop these co-created pieces into furniture for a late-April showcase. Stay tuned—we will share further details soon.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 💫

One of our service‑learning courses, 𝗦𝗢𝗪𝗞𝟭𝟬𝟬𝟴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜, partnered with the Evangelical Free Church of China – Hing Tin Wendell Memorial Church Alison Lam Elderly Centre. In this course, HKBU students collaborated with older adults and, together, prepared activities for secondary school students for a Service Delivery Day at CCC Mong Man Wai College. This service‑learning course brought young and old, university and secondary students, together for meaningful, hands‑on experiences that strengthened intergenerational interaction. 🤝

Across three co‑creation workshops, students built rapport with older adults, exchanged ideas and planned activities for the Service Delivery Day with secondary school participants. On the day, our students facilitated co‑designed sessions that fostered dialogue, empathy and mutual respect across age groups. It was wonderful to see everyone fully engaged and enjoying themselves.💖

This service‑learning journey deepened intergenerational understanding, strengthened community engagement and honed professional skills.

𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗸𝘆 🌃

What an unforgettable night! We are so grateful to have successfully wrapped up our service-learning course 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝟯𝟬𝟯𝟱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 with a drone show at Hung Hom Promenade. The harbour sky was breathtaking as hundreds of drones painted luminous patterns inspired directly by the artworks co-created by our students and the children and families from Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). 🏠

The best part? Watching the kids point excitedly to the sky as they recognised the shapes and colours from their own paintings that were transformed into light with pure joy and wonder. 🎨💖

Guided by X Social Group, our students learned to code and pilot drones, turning empathy, creativity, and technical skills into a shared experience for the community. The show connects classrooms to real lives, builds confidence and compassion, and creates memories that last.

Our heartfelt thanks to RMHC for their trust and partnership, to X Social Group for their guidance, and to everyone who joined us and cheered on the students and families. Here’s to more opportunities that blend innovation, art, and community—lighting up the sky and hearts alike!! 🌃✨

CodingForGood StudentsForGood HongKong FromCanvasToSky HarbourLights Grateful GiveBack

𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 🎲🌍

In 𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗢𝟰𝟮𝟭𝟲 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, led by Mr Sebastian Pahs, students explored migration and turned learning into action. Partnering with Centre for Refugees, Christian Action, they co-created two board games and a digital game to raise awareness of the refugee situation in Hong Kong.

The course wrapped with a showcase where the Centre for Refugees team and refugee community members voted for the best design for mass production. These games will soon be produced and distributed to local schools and educational organisations to help educate younger generations. 📚🤝

Huge thanks to our community partners and all the students who made this possible! ✨

CommunityEngagement Education Gamification

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄! 🌃✨

Students from our service-learning course 𝗕𝗨𝗦𝗜𝟯𝟬𝟯𝟱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 worked hand-in-hand with children and families at Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) to co-create vibrant artworks 🎨💖. Guided by X Social Group, they learned to code and pilot drones, bringing these creations to life in the night sky!

Don’t miss this inspiring event that celebrates creativity, community, and compassion, while raising awareness and funds for RMHC’s vital work.

📅Date: 9 January 2026 (Friday)
🕤Time: 8:30 PM
📍Venue: Hung Hom Promenade (near Kerry Hotel)

Come celebrate with us and light up the sky for a good cause!🌟





Drone Paintings

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘀𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🌱

In September, Dr Caixia Chu led 𝗜𝗧𝗦𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗜’s students to Natural Network () to learn about local agriculture and farm life through wood-fired cooking, open-field cooking, wicker weaving, and more—preparing to design promotional campaigns for local farms.

On Dec 3 & 7, students teamed up with farmers at the Central Pier Farmers’ Market to promote local organic products using art, tech, and creativity, such as a real-time organic veggie database, hologram fan displays, AI chatbots, and paper trading card games. 🥬🤖 Service-learning helped bridge campus and countryside—amplifying farmers’ voices, educating consumers, and boosting visibility for local organic agriculture.

Support local organic agriculture!