Organized by Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS)

Service learning is a pedagogical approach under which students learn through active participation in structured community service programs. It will be an important element in HKU’s new 4-year undergraduate curriculum which, among other educational aims, emphasizes the advocacy for the improvement of the human condition.

On 15 September, 2009 the Gallant Ho Service Learning Scheme – Family Values was formally introduced by the Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, at the launching ceremony held at Rayson Huang Theatre. Following the Vice Chancellor’s address, a group of students who took part in the first project under the Gallant Ho Service Learning Scheme during the summer shared their experiences with the audience.

To enrich the audience’s understanding of service learning, five guest speakers were invited to have a dialogue on the topic. During the dialogue, Professor Amy BM Tsui, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, explained that the concept of service learning had actually taken off in the United States when the National and Community Service Act was introduced in 1990. Professor Tsui also pointed out service learning is tearing down the barrier between learning in the classroom and learning in the community. It is designed from a specific learning theory stressing active participation and it has a high emphasis on moral and civic values.

To find out more about how participating HKU students performed meaningful community service related to their academic studies in the first project under the Gallant Ho Service Learning Scheme, please view their presentation here.