The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) School of Engineering has launched its first-ever credit-bearing course in community services project for Engineering and Dual Degree students.

Co-organized with The Lions Club of Metropolitan Hong Kong (Metro Lions), this Community Services Project course aims to increase students’ involvement in community services and provide them with learning opportunities through the social services programs.

Members from Metro Lions and their junior counterparts Metro Leos also participate as mentors to offer guidance to our students.

This course is the first School of Engineering co-curriculum course focusing on soft-skills training and social service learning experience. Under the supervision of the School, students will gain practical experience from developing a plan, implementation, execution and evaluation of the projects. Training in leadership, public relations, as well as event management, communication and presentation skills are provided.

The course commenced on 12 February 2009 with the first class delivered by Mr Ma Kam Wah, Timothy (Executive Director, Senior Citizen Home Safety Association) offering a glance at Community Service in Hong Kong. Metro Lion Frankie Yeung, MH, (Senior District Director, American International Assurance Co. (Bermuda) Ltd) gave the students special tips in presentation skills. HKUST Court Member, Mr Hu Shao Ming, Herman, JP (Chairman, Ryoden Development Ltd.) shared his life experience as an Engineering graduate who currently holds key positions in 16 associations.

The first project was held on 6 March 2009 at the TWGHs Lions Club of Metropolitan Hong Kong Kindergarten. In addition to teaching the kindergarten kids in making digital ink art drawings with MoXi, which is a computer software developed by an HKUST PhD graduate Nelson Chu that simulates ink dispersion in absorbent paper for art creation purposes. Engineering students also helped them create electronic greeting cards to parents.

Officiating at the Launching Ceremony were Prof Paul Chu, HKUST President; Prof Roland Chin, HKUST Vice President for Academic Affairs (Deputy to the President); Prof Charles Ng, HKUST School of Engineering Associate Dean and Immediate Past President of Metro Lions; Mr Fred To, Metro Lions President; Dr Stephen Chow, SBS, BBS, JP, Metro Lions Founder & Honorary Advisor; Mr Charles Chow, Metro Lions Charter President & Honorary Advisor and Mr Frankie Yeung, MH, Metro Lions Honorary Advisor. They performed the “Light-up Our Serving Spirit” ceremony, revealing the commitment of Engineering students to learning and serving the community at large.

At the ceremony, student representatives from the first service project shared their feelings and experience about the course as well as the planning and delivery of the project. The representatives are Mr Li Mao Cheng, Michael (Year 2, from Mainland China), Mr Tsui Ming Yin, Spencer (Year 3, from Hong Kong), Miss Chung Wui Ling, Ada (Year 2, from Hong Kong), and Mr Sadique Mohamed Salih (Year 2, from Sri Lanka). To show their commitment, team members of the first service project also tailor-made an LED light box and a video show to share with the guests.

HKUST School of Engineering Associate Dean Prof Charles Ng said, “This course focuses on the nurturing of a socially responsible culture amongst Engineering students. With students from different nationalities, it also provides a platform for cultural exchange. Students in this program will be trained through teamwork, project management, and English language enhancement.”

HKUST Vice President for Academic Affairs (Deputy to the President) Prof Roland Chin said, “It is essential that undergraduate education emphasizes not only developing students’ intellectual abilities, but also nurturing in them the vision and core values of responsible global citizens. It is hoped that this community service project will foster in students the spirit of ‘learning to serve and give’, as well as a greater sense of civic engagement and social responsibility.

The Metro Lions creed is ‘Lionism Through Exchanging Ideas’. We are committed to developing, improving and promoting education in Hong Kong. The Metro Lions are pleased to donate HK$50,000 in the development of the Community Services Project. We truly hope to encourage HKUST Engineering students to care about our society, to learn and to provide various services to those in need.