GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMES |
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Non-Credit Bearing Learning Director: Prof. Ian Holliday Assistant Director: Dr. Wong Chi Chung, Elvin The General Education Unit (GE) 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 organises programmes for all students 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 diversities 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, GE 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. GE also works closely with the academic faculties and departments, as well as student bodies, of the University to organise various outside classroom learning activities. In each academic year, GE organises 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, GE organises a few intensive programmes which emphasise experiential learning and inter-cultural interactions. They also collaborate with some community partners to organise 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. GE also support students’ creative projects by offering the F:A:C:E: Subsidy (Fascinating Arts and Culture Experiences) and venue spaces. The newly refurbished Gatherland at the GE office is a cozy place for student activities. Besides, green lovers can join the Rooftop Farming Project, co-organised with the Sustainability Office, and learn to grow organic vegetables on campus as well as the holistic perspectives of organic farming. 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 of GE activities was over 12,000. A brochure on general education programmes will be distributed to students in September and January. Please visit their office on 2/F, Pao Siu Loong Building and their homepage at http://gened.hku.hk/) to know more about their programmes. Or you can visit their and Facebook page at (http://facebook.com/hkugeu). You can also download their apps on your iOS or Android devices (please search for ‘HKU GE’) for their newest information. For enquiries, please call 3917 5044 or send email to gened@hku.hk. |