A ‘Comprehensive Ideological and Patriotic Education’ study tour to Hunan took place in late 2024, in which students learned about areas such as history, literature, technology and national security. The tour was conducted through a learning-by-doing approach and focused on teaching and research, creating a cultural journey that combined knowledge with experience.

Led by EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, the delegation first visited Hunan First Normal University (HFNU), where a memorandum of understanding was signed to establish the EdUHK-HFNU Joint Centre for Innovative Ideological and Patriotic Education. EdUHK became the first higher education institution in Hong Kong to explore the concept of Comprehensive Ideological and Patriotic Education.

HFNU is the alma mater of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, who studied and worked there for eight years. During that time, he transformed from a patriotic student and young teacher into a professional revolutionary. The delegation attended an introductory class on Comprehensive Ideological and Patriotic Education and visited the Mao Zedong and First Normal Memorial Hall to learn about the education and nurturing of Mao and other early revolutionaries. The group then travelled to Shaoshan to visit Mao Zedong’s former residence. Led by Professor Lee, they laid a wreath at the Mao Zedong statue in Shaoshan Square. They also toured the Mao Zedong Memorial Museum to understand the founding leader’s upbringing, his journey from rural life to education and truth-seeking, which ultimately led him to establish a new China.

The delegation’s next stop was Fenghuang Ancient City, where they explored the former residence and tomb of literary giant Shen Congwen. Guided by an expert in Shen Congwen studies, students followed in the footsteps of the author, delving into his world through his writing. They traced his family background and formative experiences, exploring how the cultural and natural environment of western Hunan shaped Shen’s spiritual world and literary style.

The itinerary also included visits to Hunan Provincial Museum, Mawangdui Han Tomb exhibition, Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum, and Hunan TV. The rich programme incorporated elements of Chinese history, stories of great figures, literary appreciation, national security, scenic beauty, media development and technological advancement.

The concept of Comprehensive Ideological and Patriotic Education promoted in the Mainland aims to break the confines of the traditional classroom and move beyond the lectern. It emphasises integration with real-life contexts and highlights the subject’s relevance to social life. EdUHK will reference the content and model to explore ways to integrate it into the University’s general education curriculum. Through visits and experiential learning, the initiative seeks to deepen students’ understanding of national history, culture, and current development, nurturing more educators and professionals with a strong sense of national identity and responsibility.

An EdUHK delegation recently visited Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua XinYi School (Pui Kiu XinYi School) and Princeton Skylake International School for Hong Kong students (Shenzhen). It was the first meeting under a memorandum of understanding to deepen a long-term partnership, promote educational and teacher development, and inject new momentum into areas such as teacher training, student internships and resource sharing. This year also marks the first time both schools welcomed EdUHK students for internship experiences.

EdUHK will continue strengthening connections with mainland partner schools, encouraging the recommendation of outstanding mainland students to enrol at EdUHK. Additionally, discussions are underway to enhance collaboration and promote interactions between teachers from both regions.

 

EdUHK, in strategic partnership with Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), hosted the EduData Summit 2025 in Singapore, in June. Themed ‘Connecting EduData: Aligning Data Science, Skills and Innovation’, the summit brought together over 400 global educators, researchers, policymakers and industry experts to explore the transformative potential of data science and AI in education.

The University participated in three key sessions that highlighted its thought leadership in leveraging data-driven approaches to reimagine education:

• EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin gave a keynote speech on redefining educational success with AI and big data while addressing ethical considerations, such as transparency, fairness, and student empowerment.

• Vice President Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin moderated a discussion exploring how universities can leverage integrated data ecosystems to inform strategic decision-making across academic, operational, and financial domains.

• A discussion on using learning analytics to enhance student engagement, active learning and academic success was moderated by Professor Yan Zi, Department Head of Curriculum and Instruction.

The University has received a generous donation of HK$5 million from Koo’s Giving Charitable Foundation to support a new educational initiative entitled ‘School Aspire’ under its ‘Project Aspire’. The donation will allow the provision of effective academic and professional support to high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) students and young adults, enhancing their competencies in academic pursuits and integration into school and work life.

EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Koo’s Giving Charitable Foundation and its Chair, Ms Lydia Koo, and highlighted the contributions of Ms Cecilia Fok and Mrs Winifred Ip Fok Woon-yee, founder of Project Aspire, for their efforts.

The School Aspire initiative will run from September 2025 to August 2029, offering training courses for K3 to S6 students with ASD, their parents, teachers and related professionals. It is also designed to transfer knowledge to reach broader beneficiaries while creating internship opportunities for people with ASD.

The University held the inaugural Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Student Innovative Teaching Competition, in May, in collaboration with South China Normal University (SCNU) and the University of Macau (UM).

The competition was part of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Teacher Education. Attended by over 40 pre-service teachers from Hong Kong, Macao, and Guangdong, it showcased innovative teaching ideas focusing on global citizenship education and a more interconnected and responsible educational community.

Shortlisted teams delivered final presentations to a panel of judges, including Professor Zhou from UM, Professor Zhuo Zelin from SCNU, and Dr Tina Gao from EdUHK. Each team demonstrated critical thinking and creativity in their lesson plans, aiming to enhance student learning, engagement and outcomes.

Awards for the best lesson plans went to students from EdUHK for ‘Our Global Travel Card’, SCNU for ‘Protecting the Earth is a Shared Responsibility’, UM for ‘Algae Purification Theory’ and Dongguan University of Technology for ‘Joyfully Watching the Waves of Rice and Grains’.

The ‘Advancing Chinese Traditional Culture in Greater Bay Area Schools — Symposium for Cantonese Opera Teaching 2025’, held by EdUHK at the Xiqu Centre in May, brought together scholars from across the Greater Bay Area to discuss the practice of Cantonese opera education in schools. The event featured a variety of performances by students from both Guangdong and Hong Kong, including Mulan Joins the Army using the Yueju Accomp application created by EdUHK.

The event was organised by EdUHK’s Academy for Educational Development and Innovation and the Xiqu and Intangible Cultural Heritage Centre, and co-organised with the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District, the Guangdong Academy of Education, the Shunde Education and Teachers Development Centre, and the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts at EdUHK. It was supported by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Cantonese Opera Development Fund, and the Rural Training College Alumni Association.

The University’s Faculty of Education and Human Development (FEHD) hosted a reception at the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) in Denver, USA in late April. The event, under the theme of ‘EdUHK: Empowering Education for Asia and Beyond’, brought together over 400 attendees to celebrate the faculty’s achievements and strengthen global connections.

Participants included distinguished academics, researchers and experts from 158 universities and eight organisations across 24 countries. The event represented a valuable platform for networking, sharing insights and exploring collaborations to advance education worldwide.

The reception provided an opportunity for FEHD to strengthen its ties with international scholars and universities, helping to advance research, promote knowledge transfer and shape a future defined by innovation and collaboration.

The University hosted a two-day event ‘Chinese Martial Arts and Culture Conference’ in April, which provided a cross-cultural exchange platform for practitioners, educators, and enthusiasts alike. The event was supported by the Education Bureau’s New Territories East Regional Education Office and the Chinese national sports administration. Several martial arts experts and scholars from home and abroad were invited to give keynote speeches and be panel guests.

The first day featured martial arts performances, keynote speeches and panel discussions, as well as paper presentations and workshops. These included basic tai chi and baduanjin classes taught by world champions and EdUHK ‘New Six Arts’ course instructors, and a wing chun experience class. Professor Hung Keung at EdUHK’s Department of Cultural and Creative Arts and author of the Highlights of Innovative Learning Series on Tai Chi, used augmented reality ‘Tai Chi Compound Chinese Characters’ and the Tai Chi Panda designed by him and his research team to offer a novel augmented reality tai chi learning experience.

On the second day, experts and scholars explored the integration of martial arts with education, technology, and film from various perspectives. The creative team behind Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In also joined the forum, sharing their insights into martial arts as portrayed on screen, the lineage of wing chun, and the transmission of its techniques — becoming a focal point of the symposium. Director Soi Cheang praised the symposium’s innovative approach of combining traditional Chinese martial arts with modern technology, and expressed his support for EdUHK’s upcoming initiative, ‘Martial Arts into Schools’. Martial arts actors German Cheung Man-kit and Philip Ng Wan-lung each shared their past experiences collaborating with schools, and expressed their hopes that EdUHK’s series of activities and initiatives would help integrate martial arts into students’ learning and everyday lives.

Note: The Tai Chi Panda can be seen in the Art Gallery section of this issue.

Former Hong Kong wushu team representative and current EdUHK ‘New Six Arts’ course instructor Miss Gina Chen Suijin taught baduanjin and tai chi, along with Ms Liu Xuxu

The University’s elite athletes have achieved outstanding results in multiple sports competitions in recent months. The University’s cyclists won one gold, three silver, and two bronze medals at the 2025 Asian Track Cycling Championships, while the men’s squash team and women’s handball team won their university championships.

EdUHK encourages students to balance their participation in sports with their academic commitments. Students’ holistic development and well-being are highly valued and the University will continue to foster a vibrant sports culture while supporting student athletes in achieving their dreams.