Overview

The Horizons Office has teamed up with the Wu Zhi Qiao Foundation (http://www.bridgetochina.org.hk/) to offer the HKU Wu Zhi Qiao (WZQ) Programme since 2017-2018, as a 6-credit course (course code: HKUH1005). HKU-WZQ is a project-based construction/human service learning opportunity on the Mainland designed specifically to:

• expand participants’ horizons and enable them to draw on their academic knowledge through first-hand practical experience
• provide real life experience in executing a service project which has direct impact
• foster better communication, mutual understanding and integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland
• improve the lives of underprivileged villagers in remote areas of Mainland China
• inspire respect, appreciation and preservation of local culture and environment, and promulgate the concept of sustainability
• develop integrity and a commitment to society and life

Period

• Online Briefing Session: 12:30 to 1:30pm on March 6 (Friday)Zoom Recording
• Interviews: March 2026
• Orientation: April 24, 2026 (Friday), 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Room 150 (Common Core Lounge), Main Building
• Travel: May 28 – June 3 Xian June 3 – June 15 Macha village, Gansu June 16 – June 23 Dunhuang region

Destinations

Xian Macha Village, Gansu Dunhuang

Quota

20 HKU Full-time undergraduate students

Eligibility

Full-time HKU undergraduate students, except:

1. students in their final year of study (unless with approval from their home Faculty)
2. students on leave of absence during the current academic year (unless they have paid tuition fee for the current year)
3. students who have already fulfilled the requisite/permitted number of credits for the current academic year (unless with approval from their home Faculty).

Partners

Students from Mainland universities

Schedule

• 7 days of cultural immersion in Xian and exchange with mainland university students.
• 12 days of onsite service in Macha Village, Gansu:
  • documenting oral history of villagers
  • sustainable reforestation
  • agricultural learning experiences
  • village centre maintenance
• 8 days of historic immersion in Dunhuang area

Fee

HK$3,500 (to HKU Horizons Office) + Transportation from Dunhuang back to Hong Kong on June 23 at around HK$2,000

Orientation Session

Date: April 24, 2026 (Friday) Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Venue: Room 150 (Common Core Lounge), Main Building Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) Upon completing HKU-WZQ, students will be able to: CLO1: Understand indigenous environments/ cultures through first-hand engagement with the community concerned. CLO2: Identify pertinent needs/ key issues and develop plans/strategies to enhance social development and/or preserve local culture. CLO3: Develop work ethics, self-initiative, adaptation to the organizational culture, and communication skills for successful workplace performance.

Teaching and Learning Activities

Note 1: Students are reminded that majority of the activities and talks in the programme will be conducted in Mandarin. Students who are non-native speakers of Chinese are expected to have at least beginner’s level of the Chinese language in order to complete the programme.

Assessment

The course will be graded by Pass/Fail (subject to approval) The assessment items and learning outcomes are as follows

Application

Applications for 2026 are accepted on a case-by-case basis. Selected applicants will be invited to attend a selection interview in March. Application form For enquiry, please contact us at howzq@hku.hk. Acknowledgement: The Wu Zhi Qiao Foundation received partial programme fee sponsorship by Lee Hysan Foundation.