HKBU Student Think Tank 2021
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- Overview
About “HKBU Student Think Tank 2021”
Like other cities of the world, Hong Kong faces its challenges. HKBU Student Think Tank Programme attempts to provide opportunities for students to study these challenges in depth, more importantly students can take the lead to propose constructive solutions. The programme includes a series of trainings to enhance students’ understanding of selected issues. Findings, reports and recommendations will be published and disseminated for the betterment of Hong Kong.
Why should we join the Think Tank
1. Develop deeper understanding of respective social issues in the local community
2. Voice out doable, constructive and positive recommendations to resolve social issues
3. Enhance students’ civic responsibility
What will we deliver
Each team will present a 1-page abstract and a full-report (within 1,500 words) on a particular city’s issue. The E-press conference will be organized for students to present the analysis, conclusions and recommendations in public, and to engage in further discussion with participants.
Training Schedule
Selected Think Tank members will be required to partake in the captioned training sessions. Training will be conducted in mid-May to June, after examination.
- 21 May (Fri) 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Research: Individual Interview Skills and Focus Group (1.5 hours)#
Dr. Iulia Gheorghiu, Lecturer, Department of Sociology, HKBU - 25 May (Tue) 2:30pm – 4:00pm
Public and Self-data Collection, Analysis, Interpretation and Presentation (1.5 hours)#
Dr. Adam Cheung, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, HKBU
Dr. Jiang Jin, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, HKBU - 4 Jun (Fri) 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Report Writing and Style, Structure and Framework (1.5 hours)#
Ms. Heidy Wan, Senior Student Development Officer, Leadership Qualities Centre
#CCL Recognized 聯通課程認可: 3 CCL units will be earned.
Certification
Members will be awarded with Think Tank Certificate after completing the entire programme.
Topic Identifications - Areas of Interests
Student teams can select a specific area of interests to advocate on one of the appended issues and topics.
- Environmental issues
- How to make good use of discarded face masks
- Explore why Hong Kong takes plastic recycling so ineffectively
- Explore why Hong Kong takes paper recycling so lightly
- How to improve the hygiene of public facilities (public toilets) for citizens
- Find out how noise impacts on health
- What is ideal public housing - Education
- How to improve the learning during pandemic
- Ways to make DSE better
- The reasons why it is so difficult for ethnic minority children to learn Chinese in Hong Kong - Personal Issues
- How to create a good night’s sleep
- Explore the 5 core elements young people weigh most important in career
- How to improve personal and love relationship - Poverty
- Find out the reasons behind poverty in Hong Kong
- How to enhance the support for single parent families in Hong Kong
- How to improve the life of jobless elderly in Hong Kong - Children
- How to tackle children obesity problems
- How to eliminate bullies in schools
- Ways to strengthen the support to students with special educational needs in Hong Kong
- How to raise happy children
- Explore more about the playtime/ leisure time of kids in Hong Kong
- Find out the usage of recreational facilities for kids in town - Elderly
- Ways to make the life of retired elderly more meaningful
- How to reduce loneliness of elderly
- Ways to boost senior mental health
- Support to families of dementia
- Ways to improve elderly exercise
- How to improve senior well-being - Mental Health
- Ways to avoid female alcoholism
- Explore why Hongkongers are least likely to display their emotions
- How to help self-harm or suicide intended youths
Enquiry
Ms. Heidy Wan
Leadership Qualities Centre, Office of Student Affairs
(852) 3411 2279/ heidywan@hkbu.edu.hk
Room 401, The Wing Lung Bank for Business Studies, Shaw Campus
Who should join the Think Tank
We are looking for students who are diverse, enthusiastic and desire to explore and provide constructive recommendations to improve city’s social issues; great skills and ability to synthesize and communicate ideas clearly.
How can we form a team
LQC is targeting 6 to 8 student teams, students can form your own teams, maximum 4 members each team. One report will be generated each month started from upcoming September 2021.
All HKBU undergraduate and taught post graduate students are eligible to join the Think Tank.
Key Dates
Briefing Session (Zoom) | 9 Apr (Fri) & 21 Apr 2021 (Wed) 16:00 - 16:45 |
Application Deadline | 23 Apr 2021 (Fri) |
Interviews | 29 Apr 2021 (Thu) |
Confirmation | 3 May 2021 (Mon) |
Report Publication & e-Press Conference | Sep 2021 - Apr 2022 |
[Personal Issue]
Explore the 5 Core Elements Young People Weigh Most Important in Career
Going through uncertainties these years, young people’s future planning and vision have undergone tremendous changes. As university students that are going to enter the job market, we want to explore the key elements, internal and external factors that contribute to one’s commitment to work, and as a study to evaluate the present workplace culture and environment in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, as the significant labor force of our society, we wish to discuss further how these difficulties, uncertainties and global contexts affect youths’ concerns on job satisfaction as well.
Chan Sing Hing, Hengky |
Lee Chi Him |
Tu Mu Zi, Olivia |
Zhang Lu Yuan, Yvette |
[Mental Health]
Ways to Avoid Female Alcoholism
Traditionally, men are more likely to be heavy drinkers. However, as climbing figures of women’s drinking revealed, female alcoholism seems to be a hidden and alarming issue in Hong Kong nowadays. In line with the changing gender roles and economic development, females may turn to alcohol due to increased pressure and social expectation. In hope to apply our perspectives from sociology to the community, we aim to probe into the causes of female alcoholism and explore the supportive measures for this mental health problem.
Chen Huanrui, Harry |
Tu Yi Fei, Flora |
Zhao Xintong, Sandy |
[Elderly]
Support to Families with Dementia Patients
As Hong Kong citizens, we have a mission to understand our community and make an effort to better our society. Dementia is a highlighted social issue under ageing population so as the social and psychological burden of caregivers. The hardships and difficulties as family carers of dementia patients are overwhelming. While the far-reaching impacts to patients’ families has long been recognized, attention and support are still inadequate.
We hope to investigate the present circumstances and offer constructive suggestions to improve existing measures. Furthermore, we look forward to the valuable opportunity to interact with the needy from different social backgrounds, especially the elderly in Hong Kong.
Chan Yan Sin, Ana |
Liu Tak Wang, Stephen |
Tao Yu Fung, Marcus |
Wong Lai Ting |
[Elderly]
Retired Life in Hong Kong
Retirement embarks one's completion of role duties, and a whole new page of life course. As one of the cities with the highest cost of living, money worries, stress and anxiety would first come to our mind. Apart from financial aspects, how do they perceive roles in family and society? And how do they manage time in leisure and social relations? Research on the quality of retired life in Hong Kong is very insufficient. With ageing population becoming a burning issue, we think there is a pivotal need in assessing the life of retirees in Hong Kong from a bottom-up approach, and understanding the expectation gap upon retirement between generations.
Hui Ka Yan, Shirely |
Lai Hei Lam |
Su Jiayi, Iris |
[Environmental Issues]
How to Improve Air-conditioning Use in Hong Kong
With knowledge and previous research experience from environmental studies, we hope to explore the current use of air conditioners in Hong Kong. Patterns of usage would be investigated, including frequency, duration and set temperature. Air conditioning of residential and commercial buildings accounts for the city’s electricity consumption and greenhouse gases emission. However, there are very few schemes or guidelines for users to follow. We believe this study can bring about tips on smarter and more eco-friendly use of air conditioners.
Wan Chak Kui, Jackel |
Wang Xiangyu |
[Environmental Issues]
How Can Hong Kong Ramp Up its Effectiveness and Efficiency on Plastic Waste Management
Plastic accounts for more than 20 percent of municipal solid waste daily in Hong Kong. With its difficulty to biodegrade, the overwhelming plastic wastes pose a grave threat to both the environment and ecology. Meanwhile, the recycling progress in Hong Kong is still comparatively unsatisfactory.
Our previous community visit offers us an in-depth observation on the management of plastic recycling facilities. Through reflecting on present recycling measures, we aspire to further explore feasible suggestions for different stakeholders.
Tan Kah Yee |
Liu Yuen Ching, Susan |
Chan Wing Lam, Rainee |
Student Think Tank Advisors
Student Think Tank Advisors provide ample professional support and share their professional background and experience with Student Think Tankers. The Advisors provide critical insights in exploring the social issues, evaluate project findings and progress, and make effective referrals for in-depth investigation. Students are empowered to think critically, explore available options to go deeper in specific issues, and take responsibility to proceed with the guidance of advisors.
The Leadership Qualities Centre values a mutual learning process and a society-serving initiative.