MU Connect issue 2 (May 2022) page 16 and 17

Home About HKMU University Publications MU Connect MU Connect issue 2 (May 2022) page 16 and 17

Promoting social inclusion
through research on ethnic minorities

  Promoting social inclusion
  through research on ethnic          minorities

  Promoting social inclusion
  through research on ethnic  minorities

Dr Terence Shum of the School of Arts and Social Sciences has been concerned about refugee and ethnic minority issues for a long time. In 2019 and 2020, he conducted a research project titled 'Food and Music: Negotiating Diasporic Culture, Identity and Integration among South Asians in Hong Kong', filling a much neglected gap in the research on South Asian communities residing in Hong Kong. He received HK$690,698 in funding under the Faculty Development Scheme of the Research Grants Council for the study.

More than ten years ago, Dr Shum volunteered to teach ethnic minorities English and Cantonese, and discovered that food and music were key components in the lives of South Asians. From time to time, he heard them complain that Hong Kong people did not understand their situation, which inspired him to carry out the above research. Instead of exposing the dire straits of South Asians in Hong Kong, the research included observing their lives from a positive perspective, and highlighting their integration into the local community through food and music cultures. It was found that the older generation of South Asians saw traditional food and music as important components of their cultural roots. They were determined to guide later — second and third — generations who had been 'Hongkongized' to learn about their ethnic traditions and reconstruct their South Asian identity. In presenting the bright side of the lives of ethnic minorities, Dr Shum hoped to urge Hong Kong people to find out more about their contribution to the city rather than focusing on negative labels such as 'fake refugees', so that we can build a more inclusive multicultural society together.

Social integration difficulties — he has experienced it all

When Dr Shum was younger and studying in the UK, many of his classmates were from African and South American countries, and there were many South Asians living in his dormitory. This broadened his horizons and ignited his interest in issues and challenges facing developing countries. As a Hong Kong student studying in the UK and a member of the 'ethnic minorities', Dr Shum encountered a lot of hurdles when he tried to integrate into the local community. Back in Hong Kong, when he was exploring the issues of ethnic minorities from the position of a local, he knew very well their feelings and difficulties in integrating into Hong Kong society. Dr Shum remembered once when he tried to help a refugee friend to find a flat to rent, the real estate agent had strong reaction
and even wondered if his Somali friend would kill with guns as he came from a war-torn country. The incident vividly illustrated that achieving social integration was not easy.

Linking up overseas and local issues

In addition to research, Dr Shum has also been actively engaged in voluntary work and is currently the secretary of the Hong Kong African Association. When he lived in Thailand to conduct research several years ago, he noticed that the stranded refugees there lacked support, and their children did not even have the opportunity to receive education, so he collaborated with other volunteers to set up Cedar Learning Centre to allow children to study in a stable environment. Through interviews by newspapers and other media as well as open seminars, Dr Shum conveyed his messages and research findings to the public. He also submitted them to the Government through NGOs to draw attention to issues of concern, and push for policy review and revision.

Concern for ethnic minorities remains intact as research continues

Dr Shum's classroom teaching also embodies his concern for ethnic minorities. He tried to link issues of the Third World to the lives of the students so that they could reflect upon them. He has also invited members of ethnic minorities to share their thoughts with students in the classroom, and is planning to take students on a tour of their community.
Dr Shum is currently researching into the waste trade and informal street economy of Pakistanis in Hong Kong, and continues to promote social inclusion through his research efforts. His concern for the welfare of ethnic minorities has never diminished.

Social integration difficulties —  he has experienced it all

When Dr Shum was younger and studying in the UK, many of his classmates were from African and South American countries, and there were many South Asians living in his dormitory. This broadened his horizons and ignited his interest in issues and challenges facing developing countries. As a Hong Kong student studying in the UK and a member of the 'ethnic minorities', Dr Shum encountered a lot of hurdles when he tried to integrate into the local community. Back in Hong Kong, when he was exploring the issues of ethnic minorities from the position of a local, he knew very well their feelings and difficulties in integrating into Hong Kong society. Dr Shum remembered once when he tried to help a refugee friend to find a flat to rent, the real estate agent had strong reaction and even wondered if his Somali friend would kill with guns as he came from a war-torn country. The incident vividly illustrated that achieving social integration was not easy.

Linking up overseas and local issues

In addition to research, Dr Shum has also been actively engaged in voluntary work and is currently the secretary of the Hong Kong African Association. When he lived in Thailand to conduct research several years ago, he noticed that the stranded refugees there lacked support, and their children did not even have the opportunity to receive education, so he collaborated with other volunteers to set up Cedar Learning Centre to allow children to study in a stable environment. Through interviews by newspapers and other media as well as open seminars, Dr Shum conveyed his messages and research findings to the public. He also submitted them to the Government through NGOs to draw attention to issues of concern, and push for policy review and revision.

Concern for ethnic minorities remains intact as research continues

Dr Shum's classroom teaching also embodies his concern for ethnic minorities. He tried to link issues of the Third World to the lives of the students so that they could reflect upon them. He has also invited members of ethnic minorities to share their thoughts with students in the classroom, and is planning to take students on a tour of their community. Dr Shum is currently researching into the waste trade and informal street economy of Pakistanis in Hong Kong, and continues to promote social inclusion through his research efforts. His concern for the welfare of ethnic minorities has never diminished.

Social integration difficulties —  he has experienced it all

When Dr Shum was younger and studying in the UK, many of his classmates were from African and South American countries, and there were many South Asians living in his dormitory. This broadened his horizons and ignited his interest in issues and challenges facing developing countries. As a Hong Kong student studying in the UK and a member of the 'ethnic minorities', Dr Shum encountered a lot of hurdles when he tried to integrate into the local community. Back in Hong Kong, when he was exploring the issues of ethnic minorities from the position of a local, he knew very well their feelings and difficulties in integrating into Hong Kong society. Dr Shum remembered once when he tried to help a refugee friend to find a flat to rent, the real estate agent had strong reaction and even wondered if his Somali friend would kill with guns as he came from a war-torn country. The incident vividly illustrated that achieving social integration was not easy.

Linking up overseas and local issues

In addition to research, Dr Shum has also been actively engaged in voluntary work and is currently the secretary of the Hong Kong African Association. When he lived in Thailand to conduct research several years ago, he noticed that the stranded refugees there lacked support, and their children did not even have the opportunity to receive education, so he collaborated with other volunteers to set up Cedar Learning Centre to allow children to study in a stable environment. Through interviews by newspapers and other media as well as open seminars, Dr Shum conveyed his messages and research findings to the public. He also submitted them to the Government through NGOs to draw attention to issues of concern, and push for policy review and revision.

Concern for ethnic minorities remains intact as research continues

Dr Shum's classroom teaching also embodies his concern for ethnic minorities. He tried to link issues of the Third World to the lives of the students so that they could reflect upon them. He has also invited members of ethnic minorities to share their thoughts with students in the classroom, and is planning to take students on a tour of their community.
Dr Shum is currently researching into the waste trade and informal street economy of Pakistanis in Hong Kong, and continues to promote social inclusion through his research efforts. His concern for the welfare of ethnic minorities has never diminished.