Social stigmas against ex-offenders often hinder their reintegration into society and effective communication with others. In March, the University collaborated with SideBySide to launch a series of activities for participating ex-offenders and HKMU students. These included icebreaker games and workshops on idea generation and presentation skills, designed to enhance their communication skills, promote teamwork and collaborative abilities, and foster creative thinking. The activities also sought to raise awareness among students about the social challenges faced by ex-offenders, while promoting a spirit of care and inclusion.

The highlight of the initiative was the Hackathon entrepreneurship competition held on 29 March. Centred around the theme of healthcare, the event brought together 30 ex-offenders and 12 HKMU students, who collaborated in six teams to develop innovative solutions in areas of healthcare technology, psychological counselling and community services. Ultimately, the “Winning Team” bagged the Outstanding Solution Award with their creative proposal: training older adults living alone to provide pet care services. This solution not only aimed to generate additional income for the elderly but also sought to enhance their physical and mental well-being.