GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES |
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Non-Credit Bearing Learning Director: Dr. Albert W. L. Chau The General Education Unit (GEU) is committed to providing whole-person education and cultivating among students the breadth of knowledge, competencies, and qualities with which possession they can consider themselves (and be considered) as educated individuals. It organizes programmes for all students1 with an aim to enhance their general knowledge and understanding of the world, China, and Hong Kong, encourage independent thinking and judgment, and promote appreciation of cultural diversity and arts, moral development, personal growth and critical self-reflection. The University believes that general education has to be based on awakening students' intrinsic motivation or inner drive to learn and to learn how to learn. Since 1995, the GEU has offered a number of non-credit-bearing courses and programmes. These learning activities form a substantial part of the co-curriculum for students. Prominent scholars and professionals from both within and outside the University are invited to run courses. Community leaders and individuals with outstanding achievement in various sectors also come to the University to share their experiences and insights with students through forums and talks. The GEU also works closely with the academic faculties and departments of the University to organize various outside classroom learning activities. In each academic year, the GEU organizes more than forty study schemes, theme weeks, courses and public events on international politics and economy; cultural, historical, and social development of Hong Kong and China; business, management, economics, thinking skills, emotional intelligence, personal growth, drama, dance, visual arts, creative writing, philosophy, science and technology, information technology, etc. We use a variety of dynamic and interactive pedagogical methods and many programmes are intensive workshops that are experiential in nature. During each summer, we organize a few intensive projects which emphasize on learning through interaction with peers and the community. We also organize summer general education programme(s) for secondary school students. These programmes are non-discipline specific and aim at promoting liberal arts and character education, as well as developing intellectual capabilities and core competencies. Students’ response to the general education courses and summer programmes has always been very enthusiastic. In the last academic year, for instance, the total attendance was close to 11,000. A brochure on general education programmes will be distributed to students in September and January. Please visit our office on G/F, May Hall, homepage (http://gened.hku.hk/) and Facebook page (http://facebook.com/hkugeu). You can also download our app from App Store and Google Play (please search for ‘HKU GE’). For enquiries, please call 2241 5044 or send email to gened@hku.hk.
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