Celebrating 10 Years of Community Engagement
Experiential Learning Applied
The staff of HKUST Connect gladly work with faculty in all stages of a service learning course or community-based learning program or project. We assist with identification of community partners as well as course and program design, program logistics, training and orientation of students, facilitation of reflection, and assessment.
Together with faculty members, HKUST students engage in community-based experiential learning opportunities. They are given the chance to learn from top faculty members in HKUST then apply the knowledge they had learned in practical situations where they can change lives for good. Seeing the impact that they make, we endeavor to nurture compassionate global citizens in skills-based service learning.
Starting in 2016, we explored to introduce solar energy system to two of our Cambodian partners and search for other sustainable ways to support them. However, it wasn’t until a chance encounter with 3ree Environment Pte Ltd that the possibilities for a Cambodia Solar Project began to take shape. Meanwhile, we were also assisted from the start by the Sakka Foundation who facilitated fundraising and mediation. With the sums of money involved, their experience in similar projects was invaluable.
From early on we had good faculty support which made the trips as educational as possible for our students. They didn't only learn about solar electricity, but also learnt about Cambodian culture and sustainability. The challenges encountered across multiple trips taught them skills like planning, time management, and the importance of resilience and adaptability. The project was successful in boosting local self-sufficiency and improving the quality of life.
Cambodia Solar Project
Starting in 2016, we explored to introduce solar energy system to two of our Cambodian partners and search for other sustainable ways to support them. However, it wasn't until a chance encounter with 3ree Environment Pte Ltd that the possibilities for a Cambodia Solar Project began to take shape. Meanwhile, we were also assisted from the start by the Sakka Foundation who facilitated fundraising and mediation. With the sums of money involved, their experience in similar projects was invaluable.
From early on we had good faculty support which made the trips as educational as possible for our students. They didn't only learn about solar electricity, but also learnt about Cambodian culture and sustainability. The challenges encountered across multiple trips taught them skills like planning, time management, and the importance of resilience and adaptability. The project was successful in boosting local self-sufficiency and improving the quality of life.
"We went to Cambodia to help the children at the orphanage, but it seems like they helped us more. Despite being so young and fragile, they voluntarily helped us with our manual labor, and were very happy to do so. Their determination inspired us to work harder, because they appreciated what we were doing for them."
Ansh Nasta
BEng in Mechanical Engineering, Year 3
"I had made three expectations before the trip. In engineering aspect, I hoped to know more about the practical problem in the operation of solar panels. In social aspect, I hoped to know how it changed the life of the locals after building solar panels. The third one was that after getting the experience from this trip, I could carry out the same project in different countries. I would say that two of the expectations were met except the one in social aspect as it takes time to show the difference. The only thing worth to mention is the engineering aspect expectation, I would say that I realized that there were practical problems not only in building the solar panels but also in government regulation and the cooperation with every stakeholder. The engineering problem is not confined to the actual work but also the paper work.
Therefore, it seems that I was too naïve about the work of being an engineer. To become a future engineer, I should try harder and realize the actual role of an engineer, so as to become one."
Mike SUEN
BEng in Electronic Engineering, Year 3
"In regards to the effect on our community, it has been a very exciting process. Having the solar project has made the children more aware of electric usage. On one hot day I exclaimed, "Oh! It is so hot!" and a child said, "Yes, but the solar likes it!" One volunteer stated, "At least the hot sun will now be good for something." We are able to see stronger monthly electric savings."
Ms Melinda LIES
Program Coordinator – Finance
Wat Opot Children Community
Building on the long term partnership with mutual trust and win-win situation, we are grateful to be able to engage Wat Opot as a base for different education initiatives. Common core course CIVL1140 Environmental Quality Control and Improvement made use the community as a case study on water purifiers for providing safe and clean water. Based on the observation by faculty members during the solar panel installation trip, the idea of building an aquaponics system using the abandoned pig sties in Wat Opot combining with solar power was incubated. It could make for an exemplary case study of sustainability, increasing the community's vegetable output while simultaneously creating a sustainable income from selling fish. Students who are passionate in applying academic knowledge into practice have been drawn together to investigate, experiment and prototype an aquaponics system that suit the need of Wat Opot with faculty support from multiple disciplines.