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CUHK Students Date with Mainland Visually-Impaired Students for 13 Days
Co-organized by the Office of Academic Links (China) (OALC) and Hong Kong Blind Union, a volunteer programme "A Date with the Visually-Impaired for 13 Days" was held from 25 September to 7 October. Four visually-impaired students from Binzhou Medical College in Shandong Province were warmly welcomed in the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). A total of 32 CUHK students from the ORBIS Student Ambassador Campaign of Shaw College, C.W. Chu College and OALC took turns to serve as buddies to the four students during their stay.
The students audited classes at CUHK, visited local museums and non-governmental organizations, and joined a wide range of activities organized by OALC and the Hong Kong Blind Union to gain a better understanding of local students' life and Hong Kong society, apart from experiencing barrier-free facilities and corresponding services for the visually-impaired in the region. On 6 October, the four incoming students shared their learning experience and thoughts about future development in mainland China with CUHK students. They also met with Miss Michelle Siu, a Music major student of CUHK, who shared her life and study experience as a visually-impaired student in Hong Kong, and her pursuit of music dream.
The activities not only provided a valuable chance for the four visually-impaired students to understand Hong Kong and the University, but also allowed CUHK participants to learn how to interact with the visually-impaired and take care of their real needs. Buddies have built a close relationship with the students. Discussions were held on various topics such as local cultures, career prospects of university students and education systems in the two regions to enhance cultural exchanges.
Sharing from the students:
'The diversified employment of the visually-impaired people in Hong Kong has given me a lot of inspiration so that I have more ideas on my future. In Hong Kong, visually-impaired students are just like other normal people. They can pursue their academic dreams, and choose their favorite universities and professions. We have to learn from them and should not give up our future and hope. We must have our own dream, which may come true eventually! Visually-impaired students can not only do the massage. Perhaps there are far more things we can do. What we need is a pair of bright eyes in heart, to pursue our own dream.' - Mr. Wu Ding, student of Binzhou Medical College
'The real integrity of society means there is not only one way of life, while not being arrogant to easily deny the meaning of life of others. The world has hundreds of different forms of life or life expression, and we can respect each other. There are two kinds of people who particularly impress me: those who face sudden difficulties but still never give up. Even if the results may not be very good but still hold on because of a sense of responsibility. I find their smile of persistence the truest face in the world. I am greatly touched.. They made my heart become stronger.' - Mr. Cheng Chak-kwong, volunteer of CUHK.
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New Winter Activities under CU in Mainland & Taiwan 2017
Office of Academic Links (China) (OALC) is organizing a number of new programmes in collaboration with various mainland partner institutions this winter. The some 20 programmes, ranging from thematic study camps, cultural experience tours to art appreciation and sharing, is expected to create 300 places for CUHK students to gain outbound learning experience.
Fudan University and Nanjing University have been two of the most famous mainland universities. Apart from the College Exchange Winter Camp Fudan has been organizing for years, there will be a brand-new Study Camp on the Belt and Road Initiative this December. Through the programme, students can visit the Shanghai Free Trade Zone and local enterprises, while interacting with the Consulate General of Pakistan in Shanghai and distinguished scholars, and travelling through such cities as Yiwu, Wuzhen, Hengdian and Hangzhou. In early January next year, Nanjing University will organize another programme on intangible cultural heritage, during which students will join interactive workshops with national artisans on craft design, with special themes like cloth dyeing, rice wine brewing, kite and lantern making.
In Northeast China, Harbin Institute of Technology will be organizing more activities to enable more CUHK students to experience an unforgettable white Christmas. Apart from that, OALC is jointly organizing a series of choral and orchestral performances with Tsinghua University, Peking University and National Taiwan University before and after Christmas in Beijing, where students and staff from the three regions will immerse themselves in a world of music with warm ambience.
Programme enquiries can be forwarded to Mr. Simon LEUNG of our Office at 39434412 or via simoncnleung@cuhk.edu.hk. You may also apply for the programmes and look for programme details via our office webpage:
https://www.oalc.cuhk.edu.hk/cu-in-mainland-and-taiwan/en-gb
