HKUST Connect engages students to give back and learn via the Serve 25 initiative
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) students are volunteering for community service as part of the institution’s 25th silver jubilee anniversary celebrations. The activities, which are arranged under the Serve 25 initiative, benefit a wide range of worthy Hong Kong causes.
Students have volunteered to work with the elderly, young children and youth groups, the mentally and physically challenged, animal welfare groups, and environmental groups. The Serve 25 campaign began in September 2015 and run until the end of April. “The goal is for each student to complete 25 hours of voluntary community service,” says Helen Wong, associate director (co-curricular programme) and HKUST Connect programme director at the HKUST Student Affairs Office. A number of students have already completed 25 hours of service, Wong notes.
“Serve 25 is an ideal way for students to participate in the HKUST 25th anniversary celebrations, while they enrich their education experiences, and further strengthen the university’s engagement with the wider community,” says Wong. Serve 25 also provides an opportunity for students to experience the rewards of community service volunteering activities, and observe the positive impact they can bring to the community, Wong notes.
More than 900 students have signed up for Serve 25 so far. Students can choose from a range of projects and programmes presented by HKUST Connect, which acts as the community engagement platform. They can also complete 25 hours of voluntary work with an organisation of their own choosing. Each student keeps a record of the number of hours they spend carrying out the voluntary work, and this is endorsed by a member of staff from the participating organisation.
Since HKUST Connect was established in 2009, over 4,100 student volunteers have served the community for a total of over 100,000 hours. Wong says HKUST students and faculty take part in community service activities with more than 80 organisations on a regular basis. “We have a wide variety of service projects to fit almost everyone’s interests and schedules,” says Wong.
