To foster exchange and friendship between students of the College and Ling College, CUHK (Shenzhen), and to deepen their understanding of social innovation and sustainable development in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the two colleges jointly organised the Green Camp 2026, a four-day-three-night experiential learning programme. A total of 20 students, 10 from each college, participated in the camp.

The programme this year focused on waste transformation, renewable energy, social enterprises, and nature conservation. Through workshops and site visits in both cities, encouraging in-depth exchange and reflection on key social and environmental issues.

The first two days of the camp took place in Hong Kong. The opening ceremony on the first day was graced by Professor Martin C S Wong, Associate Head and Dean of Students of the College, and Professor Tse Chi Shing, Associate Dean of Students, who engaged in lively conversation with students from both Colleges.

Students then joined Ms Dorothy K Y Chu, College Secretary of the College, for a guided tour of the College’s solar panels and other energy-saving facilities, gaining first-hand insight into how the campus applies renewable energy and reduces carbon emissions in practice. The group subsequently visited WEEE‧PARK in Tuen Mun, where a guided tour of the facility gave students with an in-depth understanding at Hong Kong’s advanced technologies in electrical and electronic waste treatment and recycling, including the critical processes of detoxification, dismantling, and material recovery that make waste-to-resource transformation possible.

On the second day, students took part in a food waste upcycling bracelet workshop organised by social enterprise Ways Out Hong Kong. Working with their own hands, students transformed everyday food waste into beautiful accessories and immersed in the sharing by the organisation’s representative on how the social enterprise empowers single mothers through the provision of employment opportunities. The workshop demonstrated that sustainable development extends beyond environmental protection and can also be closely linked with social good and support for underprivileged communities. In the afternoon, students travelled to Shenzhen for the second part of the programme, beginning with a guided tour of CUHK (Shenzhen) campus.

The third day took students deep into Shenzhen’s natural ecosystems and environmental infrastructure. In the morning, students visited Nanwan Country Park for a hiking and ecological learning experience, and participated in a flower-planting activity to deepen their understanding of conservation work. In the afternoon, they visited the Shenneng Environmental Longgang Energy Ecological Park, where students explored Shenzhen’s advanced technologies in modern waste incineration and solid waste management. The visit offered a valuable opportunity for students to compare and contrast the waste management and energy recovery strategies adopted by Hong Kong and Shenzhen, broadening their understanding of high-tech environmental industries.

The final day began with a DIY botanical eco-printing workshop, where students used natural fallen leaves and plant-based pigments to create artworks. Through the activity, they experienced how art and sustainable living can be practised in everyday life through low-carbon and environmentally friendly approaches.

Then the camp concluded with a closing ceremony, held in the presence of Professor Lu Zongli, Head of Ling College, and Ms Zhu Liping, Senior Manager of Ling College. Students presented in groups and shared their observations and reflections on environmental development in Hong Kong and Shenzhen under the themes of waste reduction and recycling, renewable energy, social innovation, and natural ecology. They also shared their perspectives and recommendations on promoting sustainable urban development from different angles. Certificates of participation were awarded to all students in recognition of their engagement and learning, marking the enriching conclusion of Green Camp 2026.