HKRU UPCOMING EVENTS
WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL TEST MATCH AGAINST KAZAKHSTAN NOVEMBER 2016
CUP OF NATIONS NOVEMBER 2016
WOMENS RUGBY WORLD CUP QUALIFIER DECEMBER 2016
GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP MARCH 2017
CATHAY PACIFIC/HSBC HONG KONG SEVENS APRIL 2017
HKRU COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The HKRU Community Foundation was established in March 2013 with the aim of providing a separate identifiable vehicle to manage the HKRU’s charitable activities. This was done to achieve the dual objectives of promoting the positive influence the HKRU has on the community and encouraging corporate and social responsibility funds to assist in these programmes to allow their continuation and expansion. The Foundation aims to be a regional leader in the area of sport-for-development, using rugby as a medium to tackle social issues and effect change. We work together with the likes of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Chinese University Department of Social Work, the British Council, VIVA and Active Communities Network to develop our
programmes, and then partner with a core group of NGOs to deliver them, focusing on the areas of health, education, disability, juvenile crime, and social inclusion. For each programme we then seek corporate support, not just in terms of sponsorship dollars but also volunteer staff engagement. The majority of the Foundation's work is delivered by Stuart Gunn, the Union’s Inclusive Rugby & Child Welfare Officer, assisted by the Community Department staff and 6 young men who have come through the Operation Breakthrough programme and are now on a 12 month apprenticeship with the Union, sponsored by Ageas.
SOCIAL INCLUSION
EDUCATION
Po Leung Kuk
Hong Kong’s Rugby Spirit
Chickensoup Foundation
Rugby English Action Learning (REAL)
DISABILITY & HEALTH
YOUTH CRIME PREVENTION
Deaf Rugby
Don’t Drop the Ball
The Foundation’s “Tackling Life” programme has introduced rugby to PLK youngsters in the residential care centre, learning centres and 17 primary schools – in total over 3,500 students. The programme stresses positive values and key life skills and is supported by Savills, Macquarie Bank and KPMG. Supported by Societe Generale, the “Chance to Play” programme supports this local charity’s ethos of empowering at-risk children by offering an opportunity to participate in rugby to kids from the more disadvantaged areas of our community.
The Foundation runs a rugby programme with students from two local deaf schools and in partnership with the Hong Kong Association for the Deaf and supported by Standard Chartered Bank. In 2014 a relationship was formed with deaf Cambodian youngsters from the Krousar Thmey charity, with competitions held in Hong Kong in 2014 and 2016 and in Cambodia in 2015.
Special Needs Schools
The Foundation works with a number of special needs schools in Hong Kong for children with mental or physical challenges. These programmes focus on rugby and outdoor activities, and our coaching staffare receiving training support from the Social Work Department of Chinese University.
The Foundation’s newest initiative, supported by UBS, combines teaching local primary school students the basics of touch rugby with promotion of key values such as Determination, Respect, Responsibility, National Identity, Commitment, Honesty and Teamwork. The Foundation has been offering REAL with the support of the Education Bureau since 2007 to local primary schools. Students build confidence in English communication by creating an immersion environment with sessions run by native English speaking coaches, and a specially created syllabus. Over 30 schools each year participate, with a long waiting list!
This programme, supported by Standard Chartered Bank, was launched in 2008 in conjunction with the Police Crime Prevention Bureau, and encourages children to participate in sport and live a healthy lifestyle. 35 schools in the New Territories participate each year and there is a waiting list to join.
Operation Breakthrough
The Foundation supports the rugby section of this police-led charity that uses sport as a medium to help at-risk youth make better life choices. Operation Breakthrough is also supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation www.breakthrough.hk
October 2016
CONTENTS 6 14 18
CAREERS JP Morgan helps young people improve job prospects Carolyn Ong
COMPUTERS Microsoft initiatives teach coding to disadvantaged youngsters Andrea Zavadszky
LITERATURE SHKP book review competition bringing families closer together
26 32 36
ART UOB encourages creativity from underprivileged youths Andrea Zavadszky
THEATRE CityU’s inspiring playback theatre event Andrea Zavadszky
COMMUNITY EY and China Care Fund assist families in poverty-stricken districts
John Cremer
ADVERTISING Assistant Sales Director Alex Wong (852) 2680 8984 alex.wong@scmp.com
Senior Account Manager Stella Chung (852) 2680 8377 stella.chung@scmp.com
John Cremer
Account Manager Jacko Man (852) 2680 8702 jacko.man@scmp.com
CONTACT US Editorial: editor@educationpost.com.hk | Advertising: advertising@scmp.com | Reprint: reprint@scmp.com
Young Post’s Special Report on Corporate Social Responsibility is printed and published by South China Morning Post Publishers Limited, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong. Tel: 2680 8888. Copyright ©2016 South China Morning Post Publishers Limited
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
5
CAREERS
Banking on youth development JP Morgan’s philanthropic outreach helps struggling youths find prosperous careers, writes Carolyn Ong
6
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
YOUNG POST
CAREERS
T
he philanthropic arm of banking giant JP Morgan is working with the YWCA to help Hong Kong’s underprivileged youths. Their efforts revolve primarily around an 18-month work readiness programme designed to give practical advice, improve career prospects, and help those struggling with student loans. The “Road to Success” programme, first started in March, is now seeing its first group of participants receive work placements arranged by JP Morgan and its partners. Altogether, up to 350 students with sub-degrees are expected to take part, with the focus on acquiring skills relevant for three particular industries: social services, hospitality and aviation; all of which have ample job opportunities.
We want to prepare young people for the world of work DIANA TSUI
Diana Tsui, JP Morgan’s head of global philanthropy for Asia-Pacific, says company feedbacks indicate a significant “skills gap”. Applicants for entry-level roles don’t necessarily have the skills employers require, an issue the programme is keen to address. “We want to prepare young people for
the world of work,” Tsui says. “We believe that closing the skills gap can be one of the most powerful tools for reducing unemployment and expanding economic opportunity.” To be eligible for the scheme, students should have a government loan for a sub-degree or financial assistance for a top-up degree. They should be in their final year of study or, if they have already graduated, be currently unemployed. The first intake included about 120 students who are now completing the initial six-month orientation course, meant to help individuals understand more about themselves and the world of work. The second phase, which lasts seven to nine months, involves intensive pre-employment training, a work placement, and mentorship opportunities. This often comes with the guidance of experienced JP Morgan staff, who also offer career coaching sessions. The advice offered is not specific to the banking sector, but deals instead with more general topics such as interpersonal and communication skills, and the importance of a posi-
The Road to Success programme kick-starter event
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
7
CAREERS
with the Hong Kong Airport Authority estimating that the construction of a third runway will create a total of about 141,000 jobs by 2030.
In the third phase, students showing definite potential will attend a fourto five-month leadership training course before being matched with a suitable job or given letters of recommendation. Over 50 per cent of the participants are expected to find fulltime employment by the end of the programme.
According to the latest figures from the Census and Statistics Department, youth unemployment in Hong Kong currently stands at 7.1 per cent. A definite cause for concern considering that the highly competitive local job market seems to be offering dwindling prospects for students with sub-degrees.
However, the number of students taking sub-degree, or associate degree (AD), courses, as well as top-up programmes has risen steadily as a result of higher education reforms starting in 2000. These supported the establishment of more community colleges and AD programmes. But unfortunately, the good intentions have not yet been translated into better job prospects for graduates.
“There are a variety of roles within the social service sector where organisational expertise and leadership abilities are needed,” says Arian Hassani, vice president of JP Morgan Global Philanthropy, Asia-Pacific.
“Our initiative is aimed at developing demand-driven training so that graduates have the right skill sets to compete and succeed in today’s workplace,” Hassani says. “Typically, we see that young people with generalised degrees in the humanities or with more overarching business degrees encounter more difficulties
Jeremy Chiu Chun-ting worked in the warehouse of a local logistics company for a year after completing a topup degree in aviation management. When he saw a recruitment poster for the Road to Success programme, it gave him new hope.
In the aviation sector too, there is high demand for entry-level candidates,
8
finding jobs compared to their peers with more specialised qualifications.”
tive attitude in the workplace. In principle, these mentoring relationships could continue beyond the duration of the programme.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
YOUNG POST
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
9
CAREERS
“Previously, I had no idea what I should be doing to prepare myself for a job or where my strengths lie; I was confused,” says 23-year-old Chiu. “The sessions on work skills taught me how to present myself, make presentations, and do well in interviews. I learned things about myself I hadn’t realised.” Chiu has already secured a new job, still in the logistics industry, but on the customer service side of the business. He readily credits the programme with helping him achieve this. In a similar vein, 23-year-old Polly Lai Yin-ting says the experience gained six months into the programme has given her a clearer understanding of what employers expect and what her strengths are. It also helps that she has been able to meet people facing the same struggles with job searches and paying off student debts. “It seems top-up degree or associate
10 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
degree holders are not so attractive to employers, and a lot of us have been sitting at home and feeling quite down about our prospects,” says Lai, who currently has a work placement at a restaurant. “But after enrolling in the JP Morgan programme, we felt empowered, energised, and that we have a future. We also found a mutual support group.” The companies involved also benefit from the job matching part of the YWCA’s scheme. “I think it is a great opportunity for students and employers,” says Roy Cheung, director of business management at Stage Culture Group, which has taken on five students from the programme to work in part-time roles in event management and operations. “They have become enthusiastic and eager, infused with purpose.”
needed boost in filling entry-level positions. It helps students understand the mindset necessary to overcome short-term discomfort and challenges and move on to bigger and better things. The Holiday Inn Golden Mile in Tsim Sha Tsui is also offering work placements under the scheme in the hope of attracting young talent. “There is always demand for entry-level positions in the hospitality industry,” says Brian Liu, the hotel’s director of human resources. “Hotel schools provide qualified candidates, but we always need more.” Tsui said the bank’s charitable foundation has an individualised approach towards philanthropy, working with the right partners to make a “direct and measurable impact on disadvantaged communities.”
Cheung believes the programme will give the hospitality industry a much
YOUNG POST
Young people from JA Asia Pacific sharing their ‘Pathways to Employment’ challenges with representatives from different sectors
MTR empowering young people on their Pathways to Employment
I
s your dream to be an entrepreneur and become the
creativity and innovation, these projects are designed to
workshops, the opportunity to participate in inter-school
next Pony Ma? Or is it building the next fantastic
enable young people to explore interests and boost soft
hackathons and other activities, and exposure to role models
building to light up Hong Kong’s skyline? What it is that
skills, skills which employers look for, and to learn more
and career counselling, to ignite their interest in STEM, and
about new and emerging sectors as well as reaching teachers
broaden their professional horizons. GGT hopes to create a
so that they can better support young people in school.
new generation of female innovators and thinkers. For more
you have a passion for and how do you make it a reality? Leaving school and entering the workforce can seem overwhelming and confusing, but you are not alone in thinking this way. In a survey of 500+ young people aged 15-24 that MTR Corporation commissioned in 2014, three out of five respondents said that they do not feel prepared
information please visit www.twfhk.org.
Discover new interests and passions Breakthrough
organization
has
created
the
"Trial-and-Error Experimental Lab for Youth" – a
Engage young people’s support network
space for young people to test out ideas and learn from what
Teach4HK enlists outstanding graduates to teach in
Given this gap between school and work, MTR
does and does not work. If you are an aspiring inventor,
underprivileged schools by joining a one-year
Corporation launched the “Pathways to Employment”
craftsman, artist or social innovator that wants to improve
fellowship and nurture them into leaders who strive for
challenge to invite young people, teachers, parents, social
your skills, try out your prototype and develop products to a
systematic improvements in education. To enhance learning
enterprises and NGOs to come up with ideas to support
test market, check out their lab in Jordan!
in local school, Fellows will receive guidance from Teach4
for their future career!
youth on this journey. Using "design thinking", the open innovation process invited participants to combine creative
STEM
(science,
mathematics)
technology, fields
are
engineering becoming
more
and as
and critical thinking, to create solutions that would inspire
technology has become part of our daily lives. Yet girls from
young people to achieve their ambitions.
underprivileged families are less likely to be exposed to
HK’s business and corporate partners. They will then share these insights with their schools and students.
Enhance soft skills and prepare for the workplace
MTR received 85 brilliant ideas through the process and
STEM subjects. The Women’s Foundation’s "Girls Go Tech"
with the help of the public, five projects were selected to be
programme aims to change this by providing girls from
Young people are the source of creativity and energy
rolled out in the community. With themes around STEM,
underprivileged schools with free coding and digital literacy
that is needed to shape the future of our society .
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The "UNICEF HK Innovation Partnership" aims to enable young people to gain an understanding of what positive
Embrace emerging sectors and opportunities
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Exploring entrepreneurism as a career is appealing for
performance will gain access to a one year incubation
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some. What if you could be an entrepreneur and
programme to develop their ideas into prototypes.
developing creative solutions that supports children’s rights
change the world for the better at the same time? MakerBay
MakerBay welcomes you to visit the MakerSpace to see for
and drives the sustainable growth of our society. As an
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innovator and incubator, young people will improve soft
Incubation Program" to offer expert guidance on design
Through these 5 projects, MTR Corporation hopes to
skills as they pitch their ideas, and gain hands-on experience
thinking, prototyping and developing a business model, and
inspire young people on their Pathways to Employment and
in a business environment.
to provide young people with the opportunity to experience
make their transition from education to work less daunting
an alternative career. During a boot camp, those who take
and more rewarding.
If you’re interested in the
programme get in touch at edu@unicef.org.hk.
COMPUTERS
Cracking the code Microsoft initiatives help underprivileged youths learn computer skills while giving them new opprtunities, writes Andrea Zavadszky
Bryan Ng Cheuk-hang
Ada Ng
Kayi Tsuzuki
14 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
YOUNG POST
COMPUTERS
B
ryan Ng Cheuk-hang, a student at City University of Hong Kong, had his first taste of working in a big corporation thanks to Microsoft’s YouthSpark global initiative, which aims to develop the computer skills of talented youths by giving them access to training they could not otherwise afford. Following the advice of one of his professors, Ng applied for a YouthSpark training course. This led to an opportunity to work with Infocan, the IT company tasked with running the training. “The work environment was very new to me,” Ng says. “Although I study IT, I had never worked in an IT company before. I got some valuable work experience, learned new skills, and worked on a big project, which was something I was unable to do at school.” Ng soon realised that he was getting much more out of the experience than just a boost for his CV. He noticed how the continuous learning process allowed him to stay on top of the latest technological devel-
OCTOBER 2016
opments, and that the skills he was learning increased his confidence. Ng says the most enjoyable part of training was meeting and learning from his new colleagues, many of whom were students from other schools who shared their experiences with him. “The training helped students polish their communication skills, and showed them how to work in teams,” he adds. “I learned that one person can’t do everything, and everybody has a role. The training broadened my horizons and expanded my view of the world. I think it will make it a lot easier when I join an IT company in the future,” Ng says. Microsoft‘s primary aims for the YouthSpark initiative are to help young people find jobs by teaching them important IT skills, and to inspire creativity and innovation. In 2016, Microsoft plans to spend US$75 million in community investment programmes, assisted by 100 NGOs in 55 countries.
This year, the programme is focused on giving talented but less privileged youths opportunities to enter the job market. Potential candidates are often unemployed graduates; a group that tends to be more off the radar than students.. To reach their target applicants, Microsoft HK works closely with NGOs whose social workers specialise in finding disadvantaged youths. Children that are from low-income families, or have physical or learning disabilities are examples of prime candidates. “What NGOs we work with depends on our theme that year, but they must be passionate about IT, as well as training youths,” says Ada Ng, director of corporate affairs, Microsoft Hong Kong. “The NGOs help us by identifying the needy. We provide a grant, resources and [teaching] content, and they train them in computational thinking and problem-solving,” she says. WebOrganic, an NGO which exists to help students gain access to the IT
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 15
COMPUTERS
Coding can help students think creatively, build important fundamentals, solve problems, and improve logical thinking ADA NG
sector, finds underprivileged candidates through with the help of social workers. They recently made contact with the Correctional Services and trained five young people in custody. The project was so successful that the department asked WebOrganic to repeat the training with another group. The Hong Kong Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied (PHAB) Association helps identify disabled people who are interested in taking the course. To qualify, they must be recipients of comprehensive social service assistance, and have fundamental knowledge of computers. Unfortunately, according to PHAB, many disabled people have had no chance to learn even basic computer skills, making it difficult to find suitable candidates for the course. Even so, they have managed to train two classes of more than 20 people. PHAB pre-screens applicants before allowing them to participate in the course. Signing up was a simple process for Kayi Tsuzuki, who is half Japanese and speaks fluent Cantonese.
16 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
“You must have some IT knowledge, a need for the course, interest in the industry, and you need to be young,” says Tsuzuki, who is a wheelchair user. Tsuzuki studied Windows 8.1 desktop support and Excel 2013 data support during a 37-hour training programme. Tsuzuki says she found it relatively easy to keep up with the course, and that she felt proud after she learned how to fix a bad network connection. She had to connect a bundle of thin, multi-colored wires together, a seemingly impossible task considering the limited control she has of her hands. But she persevered, and was able to successfully execute the task. “It was a very big achievement, and I had a great feeling of satisfaction,” she says. Although it is often difficult for paraplegics to find jobs considering many offices have limited wheelchair access, Tsuzuki is optimistic that the training she received will help her get a job in the computer industry.
“Our headquarters hired several people with disabilities, and we are looking into doing it too,” explains Ada Ng. “Our future direction in Hong Kong is to focus on improving accessibility, how the visually impaired and the deaf can access the technology and different apps, and how we can train disabled people and understand their needs better.” She points out that students can always refer to the YouthSpark website, where the training material can be accessed globally. In addition to YouthSpark, Microsoft trains 360 disadvantaged students as part of Project WeCan, an initiative run in conjunction with the Wharf Group. Microsoft also supports and organises a range of other educational programmes which cater to children from the age of six to 19. For example, “Hour of Code” uses the educational game Minecraft to teach coding. Over the last three years, the hour-long game-based learning experience has taught 8,000 students from 54 schools.
The “Master Code for Innovation and Inclusion” competition runs in cooperation with Hong Kong Education City, an advocate group for electronic learning. The competition uses Minecraft for younger children and Visual Studio, an app development software, for older students. Ada Ng believes teachers and parents need to be educated on the programme: “They might think the child is just playing on the tablet, when they may be building a game for special needs students,” she says. Learning to code is useful, even if the student does not plan to continue in the field. “Coding can help students think creatively, build important fundamentals, solve problems, and improve logical thinking,” explains Ada Ng. Minecraft helps with autism and dyslexia, teaches students to work together, and helps them process their feelings in a positive classroom environment. “Lessons learned from Minecraft can be transferred to their personal lives,” she adds.
YOUNG POST
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 17
LITERATURE
Letter of appreciation SHKP book review competition aims to bring Hong Kong families closer together, writes John Cremer
18 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
YOUNG POST
LITERATURE
I
f you go by measures like mobile device usage and time spent online, Hong Kong can claim to be one of the world’s most connected cities. But in other more fundamental aspects of dayto-day communication, things aren’t quite as straightforward. In every family there are inevitably times when misunderstandings arise, feelings are hurt, or chances are missed to express one’s true feelings or simply say thank you. For young people, finding the right time and the right words to deal with such issues can often prove much harder than expected. Recognising that, “A Letter to My Family”, the biennial book review competition supported by Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), looks to encourage more effective communication. The format asks school-age students and adults to read a book in English or Chinese and then write a review in the form of a letter to a member of their family.
A key aim of the contest is to promote the habit of reading books on a regular basis. The other is to get people, especially the young, to reflect on their thoughts and feelings and express them to those who matter most. In doing this, the hope is that contestants can improve communication and relationships with their family, relatives and friends, while recognising the value of showing love and care for others. This ties in too with SHKP’s broaderbased “Building Homes with Heart” initiative. This year saw an impressive total of more than 6,600 entries across the various categories. And the awards presentation ceremony in late August was a chance to salute the winners and celebrate their success at an event which brought friends and family together.
“All the top entries were well written and very touching,” says Mike Wong, SHKP executive director and deputy managing director. “Most of the winning letters were addressed to parents or grandparents on topics like getting along with family, childhood memories, current challenges and problems related to daily life or career choices. Using examples and inspiration from their chosen books, the contestants were able to express feelings of love in a way that is sure to strengthen relationships.” Chan Wing-han was the winner of the junior (English) category for pupils aged between six and 12. Her book choice was Codes of Love by Mark Bryan, which helped her realise what it takes to get on well with others, while inspiring a certain sense of guilt about her previous attitude towards her grandfather.
The contestants were able to express feelings of love in a way that is sure to strengthen relationships MIKE WONG
This year’s contest saw over 6,600 entries across various categories.
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 19
LITERATURE
A letter allows more intensity and directness because it is so personal, and that allows for greater impact and effect ISAAC FUNG TSZ-PUI
In a touching letter written to him, she mentioned how sorry she was that he now has to live in a home for the elderly, and apologised for the times she had not been as polite or considerate as she could have been. She also hoped to “make amends” by learning to show respect in future, listening more carefully to her parents’ opinions, and trying to put herself in their shoes. “Those feelings of regret were hard to express because I had really done something wrong,” says Chan, a Form 2 pupil at St. Mark’s School. “I knew I should apologise through actions, not just words, but writing the letter was the first step to improving the relationship with my grandfather. He understands that my studies and extra-curricular activities mean I may not always have time to visit him, but things are getting better between us. Besides improving my writing skills, that is really what I wanted when I entered the competition.” In the intermediate (English) category for 13 to 18-year-olds, the winner was Issac Fung Tsz-pui, a student at Whitgift School in Southern London. The book he picked was All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Set at the time of the Second World War, it offers an interesting historical backdrop and is written with a relatively rich and complex style.
20 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
“In my opinion, human thought and feeling are felt most strongly during such crises,” says Fung, who is now in Year 11. “This made it easier for me to analyse each character and examine their motivations in different situations.” The author raises issues such as duty during times of war, the complex notions of right and wrong, and bravery shown in the face of uncontrollable circumstances and terminal illness. In his letter, which was addressed to his father, Fung explained that he understood the importance of having someone to turn to for guidance and advice. Citing instances from Doerr’s book, he also noted what a huge role a father plays in the development of a child’s morals, character and sense of ethics. In his view, contrasting examples built around the theme of fatherhood are what make the book so compelling. He concludes his letter by thanking his parents for all they have done. “The challenge was to express my thoughts concisely without going off topic,” Fung says. “A letter allows more intensity and directness because it is so personal, and that allows for greater impact and effect. Taking part in the competition led to an in-depth exploration of my own feelings, which
was tremendously rewarding, and my family enjoyed what I wrote. Winning was just the icing on the cake.” In the open (English) category for contestants aged 19 and above, the top prize went to Leung Tsoi-yan, who encouraged her brother to reread Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, his favourite book from childhood. She hoped that doing so would give him cause to appreciate their mother’s love and realise that most arguments achieve nothing. Additionally, the “Most Active” awards for highest number of entries went to the Chi Hong Primary School for the junior division and to Fanling Lutheran Secondary School for the intermediate division.
In addition, a special “Love from Far Away” prize was presented to Alice Wong Ka-ling, who encouraged her niece living in Canada to be brave in helping her father battle cancer and in dealing with other current challenges. Wong, who won the open (Chinese) prize, drew inspiration from Everlasting ( ) by Lee Hui-chen. The awards ceremony was also a chance for the organisers to thank the three competition judges: Elizabeth Wong Chien Chi-lien, a former Director of Welfare and Secretary for Health and Welfare; Lai Tsz-man, chairman of the Hong Kong Aided Primary Schools Heads Association; and Man Cheuk-fei, publisher and chief executive of Master Insight Media.
YOUNG POST
Macao Travel Stimulation Programme - Student Travel
The MGTO Travel Stimulation Programme continues to provide assistance and support to Hong Kong student groups planning study tours in Macao
W
ith the intention to promote Macao as a study tour destination, the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has been offering full support through the Travel Stimulation Programme over the past few years to encourage students from Hong Kong to explore the many wonders of Macao and beyond. Target Hong Kong schools, colleges and universities The MGTO initiative is open to schools, colleges and universities from Hong Kong as they organise “Student Travel” activities in Macao. To be entitled for the programme, the Student Travel activities require that a minimum of 25 non-Macao participants stay at least two consecutive nights in the SAR. UNESCO World Heritage in the Historic Centre Comprising eight squares and 22 temples, plus various churches, Chinese mansions, fortresses, and other historic buildings and monuments, the Historic Centre of Macao was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2005. Most of the sites are within walking distance and can be easily accessed in one leisurely stroll. Students can take advantage of the free guided historical walking tour offered by the programme to explore different parts of the vibrant small city in just a few hours. A city of unique cultural mix With its East-meets-West mix, prominently seen in its architecture and culture, Macao is one of the most unique destinations in Asia. Traditional Chinese culture has blended seamlessly with the cultures of the West, the Portuguese way of life in particular, to create a distinctive cultural identity. Another highlight of the initiative is a 30-minute complimentary cultural performance to showcase the unique heritage and culture of the former Portuguese enclave. A live performance of traditional Portuguese folk dance, Lion Dance or Dragon Dance will be presented to student groups with 40 participants or above under the Travel Stimulation Programme. The SAR of Macao never stands still; there is always something new to inspire students. The following is a range of new cultural activities worth considering if students are to spend a day or two in the city.
Anim’Arte NAM VAN The recently opened “Anim’Arte NAM VAN” transforms Nam Van Lakeside Plaza into a new landmark for leisure, culture and creativity. Equipped with an art pavilion, an indoor craft market and a book market, handcraft workshops, as well as a graffiti display area, the new waterfront leisure hub not only brings a new dynamic into the neighbourhood but also enables visitors to relax and unwind. Rua dos Ervanarios Under the project of revitalisation, Rua dos Ervanarios has been renovated into a modern showcase platform for domestic and foreign artists to present their works. A range of artistic shops run by young entrepreneurs demonstrates the talent and imagination of the new generation. Ox Warehouse Originally a warehouse for medical inspection of oxen, the Ox Warehouse is now an art space presenting regular exhibitions of artworks including paintings, sculptures, posters, multimedia, etc. Since 2002, the non-profit art association has been providing an alternative stage for local artistic creations. The Heritage Exhibition of a Traditional Pawnshop Business Held in the restored Tak Seng On Pawnshop, the Heritage Exhibition of a Traditional Pawnshop Business offers visitors a glimpse of the operation modes and processes of the pawnshop industry in the past through the display of pawn tools, tickets and records. Hác Sá Long Chao Kok Family Trail The 2,150 metre-long Hác Sá Long Chao Kok Family Trail is located on the southeast coast of Coloane Island and takes about 45 minutes end to end. Divided into the Rockview Path, Seaview Path and Red Leaves Path, the circuit is the only trail from which one may simultaneously enjoy views of mountains and the sea in close proximity. If you are planning a travel activity to broaden the horizons of your students in the new academic year, the Travel Stimulation Program is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to get professional assistance from the MGTO.
ENQUIRY Macao Governm ent Tourism Office Represen tative in Hong Ko ng WEBSITE http://industry.m acaotourism.gov .mo EMAIL mgto@macaoto urism.com.hk TEL (852) 2838 8680
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Scheme (the Scheme) has been well received among
busy preparing for his mid-term examinations
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my academic development,” said Wong.
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community’s
interests
in
innovation
and
programme, I started to take a different approach
technology. been
to my studies. Instead of getting to absorb maximum
Wong had already been an outstanding student
awarded every year, meaning 150 awardees have
knowledge in a short period of time, I have become keen
before receiving the award. Yet he believes he has
benefitted under the Scheme. To date, 92 of the alumni
on the concept and theory of an application, or the
accomplished more academically in wake of the UC
have completed their undergraduate programmes.
foundation of knowledge if you like.”
Davis stint, and he said he had actually further improved
Twenty-five
outstanding
students
have
Among those graduated, 60 per cent of them are
Wong was in the University of California, Davis
working or have their own business in the innovation and
between September to December of the year 2015,
While Wong considers the UC Davis studies the
technology industry, while 27 per cent are pursuing
enrolling himself for a quarter in the university’s
most significant component of his experience over the
further study in Hong Kong or at overseas institutions
Electrical and Computer Engineering Department.
two years, he also speaks highly of the time he worked
including University of Oxford and University of
on his studies.
The quarter’s study was an eye-opening experience
as an intern at Signal Communication Limited, which is a
for Wong, not just for his first impression that the UC
member of TeleEye Holdings Limited, itself known for its
The ever-increasing number of awardees has also
Davis campus is right next to a ranch where cattle and
range of CCTV recorders, high-definition cameras and
given rise to an alumni association of the Scheme,
poultry run about freely. “At UC Davis, the teaching staff
online surveillance interfaces.
serving as a platform for all current and past awardees to
including professors and assistants are all very
“The first days of working in a private company
exchange knowledge and cooperate to promote
passionate individuals. They truly want their students to
represent quite a big change from what I was used to in
innovation and technology to the wider community.
understand the course materials.”
the campus,” he remembers, but then he got a glimpse
California, Berkeley.
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The
four-week
research-oriented
academic
through a change in temperature.” She has also come to
programme at Imperial College London allowed Choy to
appreciate that in a biotechnology company, all
immerse herself in a cutting-edge research environment,
procedures must be meticulously followed and nothing is
studying in the company of gifted students from around
left to chance.
the world. “I admire the all-roundedness of the
Thanks to the Scheme, Choy has also interacted
programme with reference to life and medical science,
with a great academician, her mentor Professor
and
was
thrilled
to
meet
friends
across
continents.” She was also able to make the most of of the real-world engineering experience. “I was able to
the institution’s modern facilities, such as the
learn how an engineer actually works in the private
use of iKnife, as well as being close to
sector, through designing on a piece of paper, making a
keynote lecturers of the programme, who are
prototype, and getting a problem solved.”
experts in their fields and some of the best
A not to be missed component of the Scheme has to be the mentorship programme. Wong says it is an honour to have Dr Roy Chung, founder and chairman of Bright
Future
Foundation, mentor,
Charitable as
who
his urges
known
medical
science
research
professionals in the world. Spending weeks in a foreign country certainly
helped
shape
the
personality of the budding medical researcher, as does the time in Hong
Wong to never doubt
Kong-based biotechnology company Hai
his own abilities. During
Kang Life Corporation Limited. Through the
Dennis Lo, Director of the CUHK Li Ka Shing Institute of
the
mentorship
Internship Programme under the Scheme,
Health Sciences. “An absolute expert in his research
programme, Wong was
Choy was assigned to be a microbiology
areas, Prof Lo has received numerous awards, but what
able
laboratory assistant in the company as an
strikes me most after first speaking to him was that he
intern.
asks me to be brave enough to venture out of my
to
engage
frequently with Chung, and he believes that Chung’s
insights
comfort zone, and be willing to take risk in life.” Choy
will
considers the words sage advice.
continue to enlighten
As for the community service project, Choy plays
him.
an inspirational role. She organised a workshop at
Talking
of
Precious Blood Children Village, introducing to
Wong
children through a series of short lectures, games
played the role of a
and interactive activities about knowledge of blood.
project
a
“Young kids are able to understand seemingly difficult
the
concepts if the ideas are presented in a simple way,”
enlightenment, leader
workshop
in
involving
making of solar torch held at a
she believes curiosity is there with all the young
shopping mall in May 2016. At the project, groups of
minds.
children and their parents were provided components to make the illuminating device. “I was delighted to see children getting excited with the components and they
“I learned with great interest that colleagues working
were eager to start building their torches.” With the
in the company often have more than one research task
project, Wong provided a spark to light up the flame of
at a time,” she averred. “If a team is required to cultivate
curiosity of the kids, and shared with them the happiness
certain bacteria in a controlled environment for example,
of achievement.
the members of the team do it in such a way that they can better regulate the timing of the desired results, like
Lois Choy Lok-yee: Inspired by experts Lois Choy Lok-yee, currently a Year 3 student of the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programme in The University of Hong Kong, was recognised in the Scheme 2016. Over the past summer, she used the scholarship to enrol in a biomedicine summer programme in the universally
The Scheme 2017
The Scheme is open to non-final year undergraduates who are studying science, engineering, medicine and other innovation and technology related degrees funded by the University Grants Committee in local universities. If you are a student who fulfils the criteria and wish to stand a chance to get inspired by the some of the best experts and science researchers in the world, wait no more. The 2017 edition of the Scheme is now open for local universities to nominate their eligible students. More details can be obtained on the HKFYG’s website.
acclaimed Imperial College London before learning to be a shrewd strategist to improve efficiency in a leading biotechnology company in Hong Kong.
http://innotechscholarship.hkfyg.org.hk
ART
A creative outlet UOB aims to make art more accessible to underprivileged youths, writes Andrea Zavadszky
T
his year, the corporate gift distributed by United Overseas Bank (UOB) Hong Kong was a colourful calendar; consisting of pictures drawn at an art event they organised for children affected by cancer. As a supporter of the arts and various other causes, the Singapore-based bank wanted to increase awareness of the Children’s Cancer Foundation, and the talented young people who remain so high-spirited in spite of the tremendous hardships they’ve had to overcome. “These children are facing life or
death issues,” says Christine Ip, UOB’s managing director and CEO, Greater China. “But no matter what they are going through, they stay strong and express their feelings through art.” UOB wishes to make art more accessible to a wide cross-section of the community, and to nurture talent by giving people, especially underprivileged youths, opportunities to showcase their work. For example, the bank recently sponsored five youngsters from Sham Shui Po to attend the Opera Hong Kong Summer School. At the end of the course, they had the chance to per-
form in a full operatic production as fairies and gingerbread men, showcasing their newly developed skills. “It was something to remember and I was so happy,” says nine-year-old Mandy Wang Manfei. “I like singing opera and my parents came to see me perform in my beautiful fairy costume.” The students received both vocal and drama training, and were able to make new friends by meeting kids with a similar love of music. Many said the course also helped them overcome a fear of using English. UOB has also given support to Evangel Children’s Home, which helps youngsters with serious family problems. Some live in the home while others go there to study during the day. The children often have serious self-esteem issues, which is why UOB decided to offer a tutorial programme covering maths, Chinese and English for those of primary school age. Ip says it was painful to see that some of the children initially thought it was useless to help them. They felt they would not amount to anything and, in many cases, it took weeks to win their acceptance.
UOB sponsored five children to attend the Opera Hong Kong Summer School.
26 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Twelve volunteers from the bank made the commitment to tutor small groups of three to four children for up to 18 months. They still visit them at the home for other bank-sponsored events such as open days, movie nights, and a lantern-making workshop for the Mid-Autumn festival.
YOUNG POST
ART
These children are facing life or death issues, but no matter what they are going through, they stay strong and express their feelings through art CHRISTINE IP
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 27
ART
Ip and other volunteers participating in a lantern-making workshop.
The feeling of being able to help others is unforgettable
Such activities take place in cooperation with UOB’s clients, which consist of large corporations and non-profit organizations. In addition, a number of therapists, psychologists and educators provide advice on how to finetune ideas and initiatives for the best outcomes.
KITTY NG
“We nurture art appreciation in several ways,” Ip says. “There are workshops and panel discussions, contests concluding with an exhibition, and family events such as art jams and carnivals.” One such event was the “Garden of Arts” Children Charities Carnival this summer, which saw close to 1,000 participating families. UOB sponsored 60 families from Tuen Mun and arranged for students from local secondary schools and universities to take family photos for those attending. These students were given a crash course in portrait photography by an experienced professional prior to the event. “The feeling of helping others is quite
28 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
unforgettable,” says 16-year-old Kitty Ng, who took around 20 family portraits. “In the future, I will also donate money to NGOs to help people in other countries.” Her schoolmate, 17-year-old Christina Chau, agreed that it is important to give something back to the community in ways other than selling flags or visiting elderly homes. Last year saw the launch of the UOB Art Academy, which aims to pull together different corporate social responsibility programmes and promote cross-cultural dialogue between Southeast and Northern Asia. One of the academy’s key initiatives is its annual competition and exhibition. This year’s exhibit, “Out to sea? The Plastic Garbage Project”, made people think about environmental issues with the help of art. In collaboration with local “band three” schools, there were three basic steps. The first focused on environmental protection and consisted of activities such as cleaning the rub-
bish from beaches. The second involved installation artists, who taught the students important skills. The third saw students create their own installation art with plastic they had collected. The best works were featured in the exhibition. “All this raised consciousness about the environment, provided language practice for the students, and contributed to art appreciation,” explains Ip. This year, UOB has opened a permanent exhibition space at the Regal Airport Hotel and launched the UOB Connectivity Photography Award. The themes for contestants include Local Travel, Nature and Children. There three categories of contestants include Junior Student, Senior Student and Open. Over 10,000 entries have been received thus far. “We want to bring energy, hope and positivity to society and connect Hong Kong with Singapore and the rest of the region,” Ip says.
YOUNG POST
Students learn from experienced faculty at CityU’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
As part of its ongoing efforts to generate more positive social impact on One Health and the sustainable development of veterinary medicine in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific Region, City University of Hong Kong (CityU) will launch a six-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine Programme (BVM) for the academic year 2017-18.
I
t’s a limited notion that veterinarians, or vets, just provide medical care and services for pets in Hong Kong. In fact, their professional knowledge, expertise and services carry a far-reaching and profound social impact. Well-trained vets are the indispensable links between the interconnected human and animal medical and healthcare service sectors. For example, bird flu and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) are diseases that originate from animals and then spread to humans. World-class veterinary training in Hong Kong that integrates into its curriculum the city’s unique characteristics, such as its high-density living environment, is essential in combating these zoonotic diseases. It will enable Hong Kong and the region to further strengthen the management and prevention of existing and new diseases originating from animals. Under the “One Health” concept, advanced medical training and cutting-edge research
in both humans and animals complement and inform each other. Together they ensure the well-being of all in our society. Apart from helping tackle emerging infectious diseases, well-trained vets contribute substantially to food safety, animal welfare and aquatic production. Locally trained vets can get involved in the livestock farming sector in mainland China, which supplies most meat for consumption in Hong Kong, by providing their expertise to the fast-growing food production industry. Hong Kong also has had its share of public health scares involving contaminated seafood. Locally trained vets, who will be equipped with the specialised knowledge of the clinical and public hygienic aspects of Hong Kong’s burgeoning aquaculture industry, will have better ability to help safeguard the safety of seafood in the city. The veterinary medical training at CityU will help enhance food production through aquaculture, which is the world’s fastest developing food source.
Given the city’s lack of any bachelor degree programme in veterinarian medicine, local youngsters aspiring to become vets have to study for the professional qualifications abroad. Most overseas programmes are very costly and only well-off families can afford them. By offering the BVM programme in Hong Kong, CityU aims to create new career paths for local youths. It gives them more options for their careers and helps diversify economic development in Hong Kong over the long term. The BVM programme also helps expand opportunities for Hong Kong’s professional services to extend their reach beyond the confines of the local community. For instance, they can get engaged in China’s massive food production sector as well as that outside the Greater China region. A solid foundation For decades, Hong Kong has relied on a supply of vets trained abroad. CityU recognises that the city needs an
Sponsored Feature
Animal welfare has become an important issue in Hong Kong and the surrounding region.
Locally trained vets will have specialised knowledge about Hong Kong’s aquaculture.
independent and systematic veterinary profession, hence it built a long-term strategic partnership with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University in the United States in 2009. This led to the establishment of CityU’s School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) in collaboration with Cornell University in 2014 and a collaborative PhD programme in 2015. SVM is the first veterinary school in Hong Kong. The vision of SVM is to establish a centre of excellence in Hong Kong that will raise the standard of animal healthcare and the teaching of the veterinary discipline in the region. The goal is “to be the premier provider of comprehensive, evidence-based veterinary training, research and service in Asia, with particular emphasis on emerging diseases, food safety, animal welfare, and aquaculture production”. The six-year BVM has been jointly developed by the two institutions to meet the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council’s accreditation standards. The programme is expected to turn out well-trained and accredited vets to meet the increasing demand for animal medical professionals in Hong Kong and Asia. The programme will start out on a self-financing basis from the 2017-18 academic year. Scholarship will be provided and the programme will have an annual intake of up to 20 students in the first two years of its implementation.
Students try out the Haptic Cow, a mechanical and computer simulation of a cow’s rear end through which vet students practice pregnancy testing, at the SVM booth during CityU’s Information Day.
CityU strives to provide many practicum opportunities for the students. The University has recently acquired the full ownership of the Peace Avenue Veterinary Clinic (PAVC), a leading veterinary clinic in Hong Kong. PAVC will become a significant part of the SVM animal clinic. Meanwhile, a veterinary disease research diagnostic laboratory will become operational before mid-2017. CityU will add exciting new and cutting-edge specialties in phases in response to the dramatic changes taking place in veterinary medicine in Hong Kong and the world to ensure that we meet the current and future needs of more varied services.
Vets trained locally can better help tackle zoonotic diseases such as avian flu.
THEATRE
A caring act CityU’s Playback Theatre event allows students to act out the stories of victims of illness, writes Andrea Zavadszky
Seeing the way the storytellers overcame their hardships inspires people who face similar challenges DR ESTHER CHOW
32 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
YOUNG POST
THEATRE
Dr Esther Chow along with the rest of the playback team.
I
t takes a lot of courage to open up and tell a personal story to an audience of 300 people. It takes even more courage to watch that story be performed by a group of university students, even if they are specially trained for the task. The “Narrating Faith, Love, Hope: Playback Performance Part II” event was hosted by the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Leung Kampui, a retiree who donates his time to the elderly as a caregiver in Sik Sik Yuen, was one of the brave audience members who volunteered for such an experience. The performance took place on August 25. Leung reminisced about a time when, every morning for six months, he accompanied his visually impaired younger brother to the ophthalmologist for treatment. Leung made the trip, rain or shine, until his brother regained his sight. He was happy to recount this uplifting story, and enjoyed reminiscing on a time that he got to show some brotherly love.
OCTOBER 2016
To get the performance started, experienced playback trainer and facilitator Mercy Liu asked Leung some questions to discover the underlying values of his story. Leung and Liu spoke of commitment, life’s purpose, love, and resilience. Liu worked to understand Leung’s overall philosophy, and his personal values like faith, to find the focal part of the narrative. Five of the event’s 11-strong team of students performed the story for Leung, an audience of 150 chronic illness survivors, and caregivers from 32 NGOs. “Seeing the way the storytellers overcame their hardships inspires people who face similar challenges,” says Dr Esther Chow, CityU associate professor of applied social sciences, who is the students’ lecturer and the host of the event. “Their lives touch and resonate with the audience,” she adds. The performance was developed within the framework of CityU’s service-learning project, which has been running since 2005. The concept, borrowed from the US, was developed
in order to integrate academic pursuits with the needs of the community in a way that benefits both sides. At CityU, the non-credit bearing, student-initiated, and often cross-disciplinary community service activities are regarded as teaching and learning opportunities, and are integrated into the curriculum. The Playback Theatre actors are all budding psychologists and social workers who have received up to 30 hours of training. The performance was led by Liu, who asked the storytellers questions to identify the story’s focus and deeper meaning. The performance itself combined the sharing of experiences, taking place with a psychological drama about the different people’s traumatic experiences. The facilitator conducts the performances by choosing from several possible acting formats, such as individual, pairs or “freeform”. Format selection is dependent on the nature of the story being told. The actors begin by following their
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 33
THEATRE
Event host Mercy Liu engages with a member of the audience
feelings without discussing the role that they will take on, and much of the performances, are, in fact improvised. At times the actors would express themselves through the form of animals, or objects like rocks and cherry blossoms. “We build a consensus without discussing it. It’s incredible; everyone adds to it a little bit to make it a whole,” says performer Yu Wingki, a recent graduate. “You have to listen carefully to every single line [of the other actors], use your body language, and find the right tone of voice. Everything has an immediate effect, and what the others do can change the story’s plot. You can feel the energy flowing on the stage. It is a work of passion,” explains Yu. Two teachers who suffered from longterm illnesses shared their recovery stories. One had cancer, and told the story of how her love of teaching became a supporting force in her recovery. She talked about how she faced the illness head on, becoming very active and aggressive in her recovery process. The other teacher could not
34 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
decide whether to continue teaching or have an operation on his vocal cords. He eventually had a successful operation, and learned to rest his voice when he had to. The original storytellers consider it a blessing to be able to watch their story in a play-back format. The actors are able to view their story from an objective, third-person perspective, which helps the storytellers gain new insights, and find potential solutions to their problems. For example, Leung was unable to forgive himself for not being there when his brother was in hospital for an eye operation. The performance, which showed how much he cared for him, helped alleviate his guilt. Leung says that family members today live at great distances from one another and are constantly busy. He wished to remind the audience the importance of family, and the value of sibling relationships. Playback Theatre gives caregivers the opportunity to express their feelings about the caregiving process, and
enables those recovering to tell their stories and inspire people in similar situations. “It is empowering to hear that we all face the same challenges. The storytellers can present wisdom that they have acquired. They are a kind of ‘social capital’. We all need to listen to the voice of the community,” says Chow. The performance had a big influence on the students, who by becoming the storytellers were able to understand themselves better. They also developed better listening skills. “They will experience sad and difficult situations as part of their work in the future, and playing a role teaches them how to have empathy and compassion,” says Chow. “There is tremendous potential in the Playback Theatre. The students, the storyteller, the audience, and the university all benefit,” Chow adds. “I received a lot of positive feedback. After the three-hour event, several audience members came to me and asked if they could tell their story next time.”
YOUNG POST
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 35
COMMUNITY
Creating new opportunities Collaboration between EY and China Care Fund serves to help less-fortunate children in Hong Kong and Greater China, reports John Cremer Agnes Chan
36 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
YOUNG POST
COMMUNITY
I
n order to truly be effective, CSR programmes designed to address the needs of young people have to be targeted, well planned and ongoing.
The “Road to Knowledge” initiative, backed by professional services firm EY, effectively meets these criteria and, as a result, is transforming lives and creating new opportunities for countless students across Greater China. Run in collaboration with the China Care Fund (CCF) since 2009, the sponsorship programme helps underprivileged children in poverty-stricken areas complete at least three years of high school education. This year, the total raised by EY partners and staff has reached around HK$10 million, making it possible to support roughly 1,000 students living in Qinghai, Gansu, Guizhou and Guangxi. They’ve also organised field trips meant to bring donors and beneficiaries together. So far, over 200 volunteers have been involved in such visits, taking the chance to understand conditions in these regions, as well as offer words of advice and encouragement. “We don’t just stress the importance of providing sufficient resources for youth programmes,” says Agnes Chan, EY’s managing partner for
Hong Kong and Macau. “We also care about all-round development and finding ways to mentor and interact, which can benefit all concerned.” She adds that the partnership with CCF works well because the two organisations think alike. They both recognise the life-changing importance of structured education in the formative years, and understand that through co-ordinated action, they can have a real impact on these communities. “Lack of educational support has been one of the most critical socio-economic issues in some parts of mainland China,” Chan says. “Providing a fair opportunity for children in need is of utmost importance. We have already seen how our contribution can make a difference.” This ties in too with an overall corporate philosophy. As part of its broader mission, EY wants to build a better working world. It believes the best way to do that is by strengthening communities and giving young people the knowledge, skills and self-confidence to let them make the most of their potential. That is seen as the key to building a better workforce and, by extension, creating a more prosperous and equitable society.
“In our CSR programmes, the basic aim is to nurture children and teenagers from different backgrounds, taking a multi-faceted approach,” Chan says. “It includes the underprivileged, the disabled, and youngsters from single-parent families, but is not limited to that.” On the local front, EY has also been working with the Agency for Volunteer Service in Hong Kong, which provides a platform for commercial enterprises to team up with non-profit organisations. This led to an initiative dubbed the “Public Transport Ride Experience Tour” which, last year, arranged for kids from low-income families to visit other parts of Hong Kong. The simple fact was that many had never been far from their own neighbourhoods. Therefore, 20 volunteers took them out and about on public transport, culminating with a ride to the Peak. This was a way to have some fun, while also passing on practical lessons on how to get around town. “Under-resourced children often lack opportunities, and that can be something as simple as taking a tram or ferry,” Chan says. “Any new experience helps to broaden horizons.”
tion was to let underprivileged youths from Kwai Tsing and family members enjoy for the first time what others might find routine. Once again, it proved a big hit. The participants went to a famous floating restaurant, visited the Tao Heung Museum of Food Culture, and even found time to stop at an exhibition on climate change. Separately, the firm has also linked up with the Hong Kong Society for the Deaf and LoveXpress Foundation. In April, they took part in a workshop with children with hearing disabilities, painting stones together. “For our volunteers, learning basic sign language to communicate was a rewarding experience and another step towards building a more inclusive society,” Chan says. She adds that CSR has become an integral part of the firm’s business strategy, as it is widely recognised as having far-reaching benefits. “Employees get a strong sense of satisfaction and achievement from volunteer work and feel more engaged,” Chan says. “Such initiatives can also enhance our standing in the community if people see us in a positive light.”
This year, the main event was a fun day out focusing on Chinese food culture, especially dim sum. The inten-
The happy participants of the Public Transport Ride Experience Tour.
OCTOBER 2016
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 37
Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Prim ary School (in black) made an effort to challenge the former Kuk Lam Man Chan English Prim winner Po Leung ary School but their efforts were in vain.
ort to omoted the sp Hockey has pr e Ic of y em ng Acad . The Hong Ko ents in the city d 32,429 stud an s ol ho sc 8 26
the ent players a channel to continue Team Principal offers potential stud ol. scho leaving sport in the Standard League after
Primary school kids can also play professionally.
Lighting the fire of passion on the frozen ground The synergy of Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey, Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club and Principal Hong Kong
D
espite its presence in Hong Kong for over three decades, ice hockey is not considered a mainstream sport by many, but if you had the chance to hear the frenetic cheering in the Hong Kong School Ice Hockey League final, you would have no difficulty understanding the sport’s growing popularity, especially among young people. It is not rare to see a teenager carrying a hockey stick along with a big bag of skates and other gear in the city nowadays. The year 2007 marked the special year in Hong Kong ice hockey history. Two new ice rinks (Mega Ice, MegaBox and The Rink, Elements) were opened. Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey was also established in the same year. Since its inception in 2007, the Hong Kong Academy of Ice Hockey has reached out to 268 schools and 32,429 students in the city. As Thomas J. Wu, the Founder and Chairman of HKAIH, describes, “Our continuous and dedicated grassroots development has brought our sport to a higher prominence within the community”.
Tackling barriers
Despite the limited number of ice rinks and the conventional belief that “Hockey is a luxury sport”, the non-profit making sport organization has overcome these hurdles by offering many students their first taste of ice hockey with demonstrations and trial play on school grounds, breaking the well-worn “norm”.
the Hong Kong School Ice Hockey League. Organized by the Hong Kong Amateur Hockey Club since 2009 and title sponsored by Principal Hong Kong since 2010, the League sets the battle ground for aspiring local students from different schools and backgrounds. Each season teams compete in rounds of games starting from the commencement of the school year right through until June with the annual Championship Game.
Today, the Academy provides regular training to some 40 students, apart from coaching programmes in ten Primary and seven Secondary schools. Alongside these schools taking ice hockey as an extra-curricular activity, one of the local schools has included the sport in its PE curriculum. Aiming to promote the sport to every district in the city, the Academy also collaborates with the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups in the “Community Team Sports Program”, opening up the sport to 28 district teams.
The Primary School League featured 10 schools participating in the last 2015/16 season. During the Championship Game, held in June, the gold medal went to Po Leung Kuk Lam Man Chan English Primary School (LMC), the third time in a row that this hard-fighting team succeeded with a score of 8:3, while Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School (TKP) contested well and obtained their first Silver medal. TKP captain Isaac Li was also awarded the MVP of Division A.
Hong Kong School Ice Hockey League
But the highlight among the range of activities has to be
Edison Li, Captain of LMC, said the League teaches him the importance of cooperation, “it shapes me into a
The High School League Champion Final between Wah Yan College, Kowloon and Po Leung Kuk No. 1 WH Cheung College was beautifully fought with the green team winning the trophy.
person with leadership by motivating my fellow team members”, Edison described. The Championship Game of the High School League was particularly interesting, as Wah Yan College, Kowloon and Po Leung Kuk No. 1 WH Cheung College met again in the rink. The two squads are no strangers to each other. Wah Yan College, Kowloon took the first place trophy in the 2009/10 season, but their attempt to triumph again was put into an extended halt for the following five years because of the Po Leung Kuk No. 1 WH Cheung College. In the last season, Wah Yan successfully transformed themselves and through tenacious effort, they finally took the trophy back after a fierce battle which showed them the victors 2-1. Team Forward Kobe Yuen received the MVP trophy in pride amidst a standing ovation.
that the program will not only broaden the horizons of the young players but also familiarise them with the world of international ice hockey”, she said. To provide sustainable training to talented young players as well as to those players who have graduated, Principal Hong Kong has set up the “Team Principal” in 2014, inviting these aspiring young players to play with the other three teams in the Standard League, which includes Hong Kong National Team Players, raising the bar for these young adults to attain, making the sport more exciting for all.
and ysical fitness quires both ph re ey ck ho e sful in ic Being succes t. en m dg ju p ar sh
Clayton Yip, Captain of Wah Yan College, Kowloon said they all worked together to achieve the same goals of winning the championship, “Winning a championship title is not an easy thing, but with hard work, persistence and practice we have earned our place at the top,” the defense player noted. While the sense of excitement has not yet passed, the puck is moving and the new season has started. In the 2016/17 season, both the high school league and the primary school league welcome a new school to their divisions. They are Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College and Po Leung Kuk Luk Hing Too Primary school. With hard-to-estimate new teams crossing the path of old teams evolving from years of progression, this is going to be another year of breath-taking contests.
Principal Hong Kong, the solid partner of Hong Kong ice hockey
Since 2010, Principal Hong Kong has been the solid partner of the Academy in developing the Hong Kong ice hockey scene. Apart from its continuous sponsorship to the League, the investment and retirement solutions company has extended their support to also sponsor the HKAHC Standard League, the city’s premiere ice hockey league, from 2014 onwards. Carmen Lam, Managing Director of Principal Investment & Retirement Services Limited, said they are proud to be a sponsor for the standard league and glad to help foster and promote ice hockey in the community, “We believe
The two championship gam e team captains and guests gathered for the Drop Puck Championship game between Ceremony before the LMC and TKP.