“Pass-it-on” is a flagship initiative under the “GOAL Programme” of the College. Jointly organised with Tsinghua University, the programme aims to deepen students’ understanding of social issues, foster empathy for underprivileged communities, and cultivate a strong sense of social responsibility through cross-regional student exchange and service learning.

This year, the student team from United College was led by Dr Xu Liang from the School of Architecture and participated alongside students from Tsinghua University. The programme was divided into two phases: the Hong Kong leg from 6 to 13 July, and the Beijing leg from 13 to 20 July. Students from both cities engaged in a thoughtfully curated series of activities, including volunteer service, experiential learning, and institutional visits—immersing themselves in communities to better understand the living conditions and challenges faced by different social groups.

Volunteer Activities: Spreading Care Through Action

Students visited three service units under SAHK—Tin Yiu Workshop, On Tai Training Centre and Hostel, as well as Siu Lam Greenery Villa. Through games, crafts, and art creation, they interacted with individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities, building meaningful connections and spreading warmth. These activities fostered a joyful and respectful environment for all participants.

Additionally, students accompanied service users on outings to WEEE·PARK, the Hong Kong Space Museum, and Tuen Mun EcoPark, broadening their horizons and enriching their community experience.

To conclude the exchange on a heartwarming note, students invited service users to United College for a return visit filled with games and activities. This meaningful interaction deepened students’ understanding of social inclusion and highlighted the importance of community engagement.

Experiential Activities: Learning Empathy Through Experience

The programme arranged three experiential learning sessions for the students, aiming to foster empathy and awareness:

SLCO Community Resources: Students learned basic sign language and gained insight into the communication methods and cultural experiences of the hearing-impaired community.

Cross generational communication activity organised by Eldpathy: Through simulations of elderly physical conditions, students experienced the challenges of limited mobility, cultivating empathy, patience, and a deeper appreciation for the elderly.

Through joining the visual impairment experiential workshop organised by Retina Hong Kong, students explored the daily realities of visually impaired individuals, fostering a stronger understanding of accessibility and social inclusion.

Exchange Activities: Intellectual Engagement and Broadening Horizons

Students also took part in seminars and exchange sessions that stimulated intellectual curiosity and raised social awareness:

• Exchange Session with the UNHCR China Office: Students learned about global refugee issues and the challenges faced by displaced populations.
• Visit and Seminar at Tencent Beijing Headquarters: Students explored how technology can drive public welfare, with case studies from the “Tencent Charity” platform and its associated fund.

These sessions exposed students to diverse perspectives and inspired them to think creatively about addressing social needs.