A group of students from the School of Energy and Environment (SEE) at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) recently brought theory into action by conducting evidence-based research in Lai Chi Wo, a historic rural village in Hong Kong’s northeastern New Territories. As part of the SEE3001 (Energy and Environmental Policy) course, students formed five task forces to explore key sustainability challenges facing the village.

The service-learning opportunity of SEE3001 was further supported by SEE and Prof. Patrick Sit, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) at SEE. Additionally, Prof. Wanxin Li, Associate Professor at SEE, and Miss Hiu Ching CHUNG played a key role in co-organizing the course, reinforcing the ongoing effort to merge education with service-oriented projects.

This initiative marks the first collaboration between SEE and the Wu Zhi Qiao Charitable Foundation, launching a service-learning program focused on Energy and Environmental Policy. Through this partnership, students gained hands-on experience in real-world sustainability issues, fostering community-driven solutions to enhance Hong Kong’s rural development.

Following an insightful field trip on 8 March 2025, the student task forces conducted in-depth research on various sustainability challenges faced by the village, culminating in final presentations on 16 April 2025. During the presentation, students demonstrated their abilities to create localized knowledge on sustainability challenges, applying their research to real-world contexts. Representatives from the Wu Zhi Qiao Charitable Foundation, led by Prof. Wong Kam Sing, Ms. Woodi Lau, and Ms. Dian Shen, served as judges, offering constructive feedback and valuable insights. Their encouragement reinforced the importance of experiential learning, inspiring students to deepen their engagement in sustainability efforts and develop into the next generation of environmental leaders.

A special thank you to Wu Zhi Qiao Charitable Foundation, all faculty members, and students for their dedication and contributions in making this impactful initiative possible.