Partnering with Students in Climate Education

Abstract

<p>Fifty undergraduate (UG) students from various faculties at HKU have been trained as Climate Ambassadors through the project titled "Partnering with Students in Climate Education: HKU Climate Ambassador." This climate education initiative is supported by the HKU Teaching Development Grant and aims to empower UG students to co-create climate actions and make a meaningful impact on broader communities.</p><p><br></p><p>The project commenced in February 2024. To enhance students' understanding of climate issues and involve them as partners, ten postgraduates and alumni have been appointed as mentors. They provide engaging dialogues and guidance to the UG students in their climate action endeavors. Additionally, students receive training through team-building activities, field trips, and seminars conducted by climate experts. Subsequently, students form groups and develop their own climate actions, such as addressing food waste, promoting biodiversity, and exploring public attitudes towards waste recycling. These actions were showcased in a student-led conference held in mid-June 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Following the conference, 18 selected Climate Ambassadors participated in a desert service-learning trip in mainland China in July 2024, supported by YMCA and the Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant 2022-25. During the seven-day stay in Tengger Desert, these 18 HKU Climate Ambassadors played a crucial role as co-developers of the camp. They were empowered to educate camp participants and local communities about climate change and waste reduction. Collaborating with camp participants, they will carry out climate-related services, engage in personal reflection, and create meaningful impact within their own circles and the wider community. These experiences will help our Climate Ambassadors develop essential soft skills, including problem-solving, communication, leadership, and teamwork. Moreover, this experiential learning opportunity incorporated international, intercultural, and global dimensions, enabling our HKU students to cultivate a global outlook, global citizenship, cultural inclusiveness, and intercultural competence – all highly valued by employers in today's workplace.</p><p><br></p><p>The project has received the following accolades:</p><ul><li>Advance HE’s Global Impact Grants, UK</li><li>HKU Teaching Development Grant Award</li><li>Gold Award, Higher Education Design Thinking Competition, Hong Kong Teaching Excellence Alliance</li><li>HKU Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grant 2022-25 (experiential learning and AI)</li><li>Project leaders were invited to deliver a speech at a conference of the Boao Forum for Asia on youth vision and responsibility for global development.</li></ul>