30 May 2019

The HSUHK Jockey Club Residential Colleges of Student Affairs Office (SAO) organised a Chaoshan study tour from 27 to 30 May 2019. It was a four-day tour in Chaoshan under the leadership of Ms Esther Lee, Associate Director of Student Affairs; Dr Howard Song, Master of Evergreen College and Ms Chan Choi Kwan, Section Head of the Music & Drama Section of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Merchants Mutual Assistance Society Ltd. A total of 23 student leaders, Resident Tutors and staff members of SAO’s Residential Colleges Unit made a memorable trip to Chaoshao with the aim of enhancing the understanding of socio-educational development in Chaoshan and her cultural heritage.

The main purpose of the trip was to visit the Residential Colleges of Shantou University (STU). They were Perstare College and Veritas College. After getting a glimpse of the management structure and development of higher education at STU, student leaders of the Residential Colleges were consistently impressed by the varied interflow between the management team and student leaders of STU. On the second day, the night performance allowed students of HSUHK, the two Colleges of STU and Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) to showcase their talents and appreciate the cultural difference.

Another visit was made to GTIIT, which is a Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution established by STU and the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (the Technion). It was amazing to note that this was a new trend and part of a competitive Guangdong High-Level University Development Program.

To understand the development of industry of Shantou, it was a privilege for the tour participants to visit the Xinghui Auto Model Co., Ltd of Rastar Group, which is a leading manufacturer in China for auto model, ride-on products and baby safety car seats, and to exchange views with the leaders of the enterprises and Ms Cai Peinong, the Vice-Chairman of CPPCC of Shantou City. The participants were inspired by Ms Cai, who expressed an optimistic and positive attitude towards the future of their enterprise and the prospects of the China economy.

The participants were consistently impressed by the various cultural visits. To name a few, these included traditional temples in Shantou, a school for students with special needs; Li Chusheng Film Museum, Shantou Small Park and Shantou Old Town, the Cultural Exhibition Hall of Shantou’s Port Opening, etc. Finally, the students got the chance to appreciate the embroidery of Chaozhou. These arrangements integrated study with fun.

It was exciting to learn from some students that the trip had widened their horizon and sparked an ever-growing desire within them to expand and grow beyond the boundaries of Hong Kong. They treasured the opportunity to act as ambassadors for HSUHK and they are looking forward to the coming study tours and exchange programmes. “Stepping out of Hong Kong and exploring the world” has become their desire.