Students from Singapore join social leadership programme offered by Lingnan

Twenty college students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic Singapore participated in the Social Leadership Challenge (SLC) 2018 organised by the Office of Service-Learning (OSL) from 10 to 21 June to learn the concept of Service-Learning and issues related to elderly and underprivileged groups, and tried to design and organise a Service-Learning project by applying the concept of social innovation.

 

During the 12-day programme, OSL arranged several leadership trainings and inter-generational collaboration activities which involved elderly ambassadors from Jockey Club “We Care, We Serve & We Learn @ Tuen Mun” Programme who shared about Hong Kong’s policy of ageing-in-place and cultural difference between the two cities.  In addition, Think-Act-Contribute (TAC) Health Leaders also shared their reflection towards different inter-generation projects.  At the discussion, students suggested effective plans to improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged groups by creating a more age-friendly community.

 

Participating students also joined several simulations such as “Life Journey Experience” that prompted them to reflect on the meaning of life.  Another simulation by Eldphaty required students to wear the elderly simulation suits to perform various tasks.  To let students understand the needs of their service targets, they had to communicate with hearing-impaired elderly by using sign language.  On 16 June, participating students adopted the concept of design thinking to plan a workshop for ethnic minority children.

 

The challenge ended with a final project presentation on 19 June.  With comments and suggestions given by Dr Sharon Chan Sin-yui, Visiting Senior Lecturer of Department of Sociology and Social Policy and colleagues from OSL, participating students will make amendments on their proposals and implement them in Singapore by December this year.

Social leadership programme   Social leadership programme   Social leadership programme