How can our fundamental role as educators help advance social responsibility among students? This online forum will showcase The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) as a leading example, highlighting their innovative approach to transforming undergraduate education through non-local learning experiences that develop socially responsible leaders with both national pride and global perspectives. Building on their expertise in social responsibility education, PolyU has taken the bold step of ensuring half of their undergraduate students participate in these experiences through service-learning.
This ambitious initiative presents significant challenges, given PolyU’s large student body and the disciplinary diversity across academic programmes. From coordinating international partnerships to ensuring meaningful community impact while achieving academic objectives, these challenges have sparked innovative collaborations across faculties, industries and communities worldwide.
This Forum will examine how PolyU addresses logistical and pedagogical obstacles while ensuring academic integrity, cultural sensitivity, and the social impact of transformative learning experiences. Additionally, innovative practices from various institutions will be discussed, highlighting how learning opportunities and curriculums are designed to benefit both students and the wider society that universities serve.
| Date | Wednesday, 23 April 2025 |
| Time | 08:00 – 09:00 UTC Time |
| Venue | Online via Zoom |
Moderator:
- Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement, The University of Manchester
Speaker:
- Dr Grace Ngai, Head, Service-Learning and Leadership Office, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Respondents:
- Dr Eugene Machimana, Head: Curricular Community Engagement, Department for Education Innovation Unit for Community Engagement, University of Pretoria
- Asst. Prof. Dennis Quilala, Project Development Associate for Service-Learning, Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of the Philippines
- Ms Chia Ming Huei, Specialist (Experiential Learning), College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences
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