Abstract
This is a community writing project aims to engage students in
- discovering and writing about the involvement and contribution of CUHK members in local and overseas communities in different times
- revealing and recording the histories and connections of CUHK and Hong Kong society, for examples, the establishment of New Asia College and United College, the social projects that CUHK has launched, etc.
- understanding the making and evolving of the communities we grow and live
- cultivating stronger involvement in communities as members of CUHK and as citizens of Hong Kong
In order to achieve the above objectives and to maximise its impact, the project involves different experts—literary researchers, writers, sociologists, social historians, anthropologists, etc.—to work together. It also engages CUHK alumni with organised efforts to capitalise on their expertise in contributing to students’ learning experience. In so doing, it binds our students, colleagues and alumni in a strong esprit de corps.
Brief write-up
Project objectives
The project aims at cultivating a deeper understanding of Hong Kong communities among CUHK students. By engaging them in community research and participation, it develops among them a stronger involvement and sense of belonging in communities as CUHK members and as local citizens.
Activities, process and outcomes
1st year program, Sept 2017–July 2018 (33 students recruited for an intensive mentoring scheme)
- 1 university-wide sharing talk in Sept 2017
- 3 community tours in Oct 2017
- 2 reading groups in Nov 2017
- 3 discipline-based lectures in Jan and Feb 2018
- mentoring scheme from Feb to June 2018: community writing (4 groups), video shooting (1 group)
2nd year program, Sept 2018 – July 2019 (21 students recruited for an intensive in situ study)
- 2 experiential learning activities: Mid-Autumn Fire Dragon Dance in Sept 2018, Community Day in June 2019
- 7 community walks in Ping Che
- 3 theme-based field visits
- 4 sharing talks given by locals and community activists
- Mentoring scheme from Jan to June 2019:
- Interviews, research, writing and preparation for the Community Day in Ping Che
Deliverables and evaluation
Experiential learning activities, structured lectures and interactive sharing talks as above.
Students’ Final Works:
- 3 reflective journals and 4 essays published by 2017–18 participants
- Interview records, reflections, community history, etc. from 2018–19 participants
Publications
- 3 reflective journals and 4 essays by 2017–18 participants published
- 《坪輋七年》(47 pp) published in June 2019
- 3 videos introducing the project, its outcomes and the Community Day
Public event
- A Community Day in Ping Che with book launch, community tours, art activities, etc. about Ping Che’s community building in response to NENTNDA 29 on June 2019
Evaluation methods:
- semi-structural surveys, the quantity and quality of students’ works, their engagement level in community events and their deeper understanding of community building.
Dissemination, diffusion, impact and sharing of good practices
- Promotion: Our posters, leaflets, trailer, Facebook fan page, monthly e-newsletter and promotion booths in CUHK Art Fair and EXPOs has gained wide recognition in both the CUHK and public communities.
- Presentation: We participated in Teaching and Learning Innovation EXPO 2017 and 2018, and Institute on General Education cum Teacher and Student Conference 2018. Our project poster was awarded the Poster Recommendation Certificate in EXPO 2018.
- Other public exposure: A featured article introducing our project was published in New Asia Life Monthly in Oct 2017. The above publications and public events gain wide recognition.
- Collaboration with other parties: Collaboration with CUHK alumni through experiential learning activities, lectures and mentoring scheme binds students, colleagues and alumni in a strong esprit de corps.
