In the modern age of business, business leaders often talk at length about the benefits of a global mindset. While thinking globally is undoubtedly a key component of business strategy, addressing the needs of local communities is every bit as important. This is why the HKUST Business School has made it a priority to give students the opportunity to engage with local communities in Hong Kong.
The HKUST Business School has engaged in several ambitious projects designed to address the needs of local communities. The credit-bearing Social Responsibilities Project is one of them. Since 2007, the Business School has formed partnerships with different NGOs for the Project, which gives students valuable community experience and reflection opportunities that allow them to deepen their understanding of community needs and social justice issues. Through the project, students not only increase their awareness of their social responsibilities, but they also acquire the skills to work in teams and develop leadership aptitudes that will help transform tomorrow’s world into a better place.
During the 2012 fall semester, the Business School collaborated with Grace Nursing Home, a partner of Wofoo Social Enterprises, which provides an ardent service focus on the rehabilitation and psychological health of the elderly. Under the Project, students were required to visit and interview the elderly, preparing a Life Story from their own perspectives. The final product was delivered in formats including memoirs, books, comics, or videos. This project aims to help preserve elderly’s memories and turn these memories into something tangible with lasting value so they can share their experiences with their families forever.
Throughout the project, students were encouraged to have a positive attitude and build good relationships between the younger generation and the elderly. They learned to respect the elderly, and appreciate and pay tribute to their contributions in the past. This experience is especially crucial for business students as global business trends require leaders to maintain a socially responsible mindset, caring for the community where they work and live.
Kenny Ng, Class of 2014, believes that his experience at Wofoo Grace Nursing Home added to his overall educational experience, “As business students, we are taught to be value-driven and think economically. I believe there's something in life that can be more satisfying and make me happier than simply numbers.”
The lessons Kenny learned over the course of the project have taught him valuable lessons about business as well. “The most valuable lesson that I have learnt would be to stay positive all the time. The elderly person I worked with, Poon, is an extremely lively and energetic person. Her example is certainly helpful to the development of my personality since being open and positive is particularly important when facing adversity.”
For Bonnie Ng, Class of 2014, the project at the Nursing Home gave her the opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities business leaders have toward local communities. “From a business point of view, projects like these help us get away from our hectic and material-oriented lives and bring us back to the basics in life. It shows us that we, with our many advantages and privileges, should contribute back to society with our business knowledge and capabilities.”
“I plan to work in PR and marketing. This project trained me to be good listener and understand the feelings of audiences. This experience has also helped me to learn story-telling techniques,” Bonnie added.
The HKUST Business School takes social responsibility beyond giving students the opportunity to volunteer at charities. It is about giving students the opportunity to apply business values such as critical thinking and situation analysis to real world scenarios. The NGOs working with the School end up receiving free consulting and creative ideas from our young undergraduates, it is a win-win relationship.