To lead rich and fulfilled lives, OUHK students must be able to do more than just put their knowledge to good use – they must also learn to interact effectively with others in the community. Our programme of extra-curricular activities therefore seeks to develop successful and well-rounded individuals who can take their place in society with confidence, and to foster a spirit of service that will contribute to this society.
Fostering civic responsibility
The Student Public Administration and Politics Society established a mentorship scheme with key local figures such as Mr Jasper Tsang, President of the Legislative Council, Mr Kenneth Chen, Under Secretary for Education and Dr Lee Boon-ying, Director of the Hong Kong Observatory participating as mentors. Through discussing their work and life experiences, these mentors helped students to broaden their horizons and improve their problem-solving, social and communication skills. The Executive Committee of the Society visited Mr Tsang, who is also the Society’s honorary adviser, and toured the Legislative Council Building in June 2010. The group also met Mrs Fanny Law, a Hong Kong Deputy to the 11th National People’s Congress, to share views on social and national issues.
The Student Speech and Debate Society took part in the ‘12th Basic Law Multi-Dimensional Inter-University Debate Competition’. In a talk jointly organized by the School of Arts and Social Sciences and the Student Society of Social Sciences (Full-time Programme), Mr Martin Lee, Democratic Party Founding Chairman, was featured as the guest speaker. Mr Lee gave a brief overview of the development of democracy in China and discussed the awarding of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Mr Liu Xiaobo.
Fifteen full-time students were selected for the fifth internship programme jointly organized by the Student Society of Social Sciences (Full-time Programme) and the Democratic Party’s Youth Committee. Five students from the School of Arts and Social Sciences attended a joint institution activity organized by the Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR. Sixteen students also joined representatives from local tertiary institutions on a visit to the People’s Liberation Army garrison in Hong Kong.
Academic and cultural exchange
A team of full-time students joined the 2010 HSBC/McKinsey Business Case Competition organized by the Asia Case Research Centre of the University of Hong Kong and reached the semi-finals in the competition. The team members are Year 3 Accounting students Dickson Ma and Wing Tam, Year 3 Management student Fion Lo and Year 2 Business Management student Jim Law.
Year 3 Psychology student Kirby Tsang and Year 2 Mental Health Nursing student Sharon Lam became the first two full-time OUHK students to take part in the International Youth Exchange Programme organized by the Home Affairs Bureau and the Commission on Youth. The pair travelled to Ireland last summer, where they lived with a local family, learned about Irish culture and music, and visited government organizations, universities and secondary schools.
A series of seminars was organized by participating universities and the Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council (HKYIC) to prepare undergraduate students for entry into the world of work. The first seminar on ‘Industrial Development in Hong Kong’ was held at the OUHK in March 2011. Leading business figures outlined their experience in running a business and provided insights into the career prospects in various industries. The 200 attendees were also given the opportunity to join the HKYIC’s summer internship programme.
Serving the community
OUHK representatives participated in the Lifeline Express Charity Run/Walk 2010 held at the Clearwater Bay Country Club in October 2010 to raise public concern about the poor suffering from cataracts in mainland China and to generate funds for the Lifeline Express Eye Hospital Train. The Council Chairman, Dr Eddy C Fong, officiated at the event as Vice Chairman of the Lifeline Express Hong Kong Foundation Council. A team of 91 from the OUHK joined the walk, while 20 runners from the Student Runner Club took part in the charity run. The OUHK team raised more than $33,000 at the event. Also, a group of 15 full-time students from the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration participated in the Lifeline Express Flag Day a few months prior to the charity run.
A team of volunteers from the Engineering Student Society, made up of computer engineering students, alumni and staff, participated in a computer repair project organized by the Hong Kong Blind Union. Apart from repairing old computers, the volunteers installed screen readers and Braille software for members of the Hong Kong Blind Union.
Our nursing students took part enthusiastically in a number of events and initiatives. They participated in the Swine Flu Programme launched by the OUHK Nursing Team in February 2011 and instructed over 2,000 young school children in Ma On Shan, Shatin and Kowloon City on the proper way to wash their hands and wear facial masks. They also volunteered nursing and body check-up services at various community activities, including a charity run to raise funds for Breakthrough, an activity held by the Hong Kong Outlying Islands Women’s Association and an event organized by the Hong Kong Stoma Association. Nursing students also joined the debate competition organized by the Association of Hong Kong Nursing Staff in Princess Margaret Hospital.
Students’ Union
Cabinet ‘Yau Yan’ won the election for the fourth Executive Committee of the OUHK Students’ Union in March 2011. The members of the new Students’ Union pledged to do their best for their fellow students.
