TEACHING AND LEARNING 25 24 HKU ANNUAL REPORT 2022 In 2016, the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine announced its unique ‘Enrichment Year’ (EY) curriculum, which requires all third-year MBBS students to spend the year broadening their horizons, pursuing their interests and even completing a second degree in Hong Kong or abroad, before the demands of clinical studies kick in. The first students to benefit graduated in 2022 and report that the year off-book was deeply fulfilling. Some 61 of the 230 students in the class completed a second degree, while Pandemic restrictions may have hindered exchanges outside Hong Kong for HKU students, but they have not prevented them from engaging with the world in other meaningful ways. The Common Core has made the most of virtual technologies so HKU students from different disciplines can collaborate with their counterparts around the world on projects of global concern. In the summer, for example, HKU students from such disciplines as business, engineering and biomedical sciences worked together with Davis College students in Rwanda to develop projects for the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, an NGO that provides education and support to women affected by gender-based violence, gender inequality and discrimination. The women are trained and employed to create accessories, clothing and home décor products. The students’ task was to develop ideas that would add value to the NGO’s work. They made formal proposals and presentations on ideas such as creating Instagram posts and a LinkedIn marketing channel and recruiting student interns to help with work overloads. Some 182 students participated in the Common Core’s virtual co-curricular programmes in 2022. The resumption of in-person teaching in autumn 2022 will enable the Common Core to expand opportunities for students to engage both physically and digitally with impactful projects. ENRICHMENT YEAR GRADS ON WHAT THEY HAVE GAINED ENGAGING WITH THE WORLD Professor Lau Chak Sing (first from left) was joined by members of the first class to complete the Enrichment Year. A virtual classroom session on art and well-being in a Common Core research project in collaboration with the University of Queensland and Griffith University, Australia. Luo Wenhao Bachelor of Economics and Finance Year 4 Sanjana Bharti Bachelor of Business and Administration Year 3 Allison Tai spent her Enrichment Year at the University of Bristol. HKU has made it a priority for students to engage beyond their chosen discipline, whether as part of their programme of study or through the cross-curricular Common Core. NEW PERSPECTIVES others took courses in areas completely unrelated to medicine, did internships, and / or worked with local, national or international charities. In all cases, the Faculty helped students make meaningful selections and guided them throughout their third year. Gladys Sit, for instance, spent a semester at the University of Edinburgh taking courses in public health, biology and economics, then went to Yunnan province to collaborate with a team from Fudan University to research smoking among healthcare professionals and patients. The experience helped improve her communication skills. “As a doctor, we might think we’re explaining something clearly, but in fact we frequently use technical terms,” she said. “We can’t blame patients for not understanding or asking lots of questions. I learned to be more patient and more considerate of the patient.” Allison Tai completed a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Sciences at the University of Bristol where she learned how to apply research techniques in clinical medicine. “This experience taught me that research is not just about numbers, but that it can tell you about a patient’s life experiences. It definitely serves as a good reminder for me as a doctor.” The EY curriculum was developed by the current Dean of Medicine, Professor Lau Chak Sing, Daniel C K Yu Professor in Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, when he was Assistant Dean. “It has been very satisfying to watch students grow professionally and personally with the help of our unique EY curriculum,” he said. The highlight of my experience was communicating and collaborating with the Davis College students. Afterwards we talked about refugees, China-Africa relations and women in STEM fields, all of which benefitted me a lot. We did experience difficulties both in terms of language and time differences, but this experience allowed me to learn how to be patient and work on a team virtually.
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