The Review 2014

THE REVIEW 2014 ⎜ 15 Ona Wong, a BA double major in English and Psychology, has a hearing impairment. She copes well on her own, but CEDARS has helped, too, by making special seating arrangements for her during examinations and providing an older student to assist as needed. "We talk about the usual topics – she has told me everything I need to know about academic regulations, how to strive for better grades, how to work better. She is my first friend at HKU." Rainbow Tang, who is studying for a BA in Linguistics and Psychology, has cerebral palsy. She uses crutches and sometimes a wheelchair to get around campus. CEDARS has helped to smooth her path, such as arranging extra time for examinations because her mobility and handwriting speed are affected by her condition. "At the beginning of the semester we will talk about my special needs. I still need to talk to my professors, but they make the communication easier." Breaking down the Barriers Assistance at Hand Students from other cultures and countries bring life and new interests to the University community. Take the example of cricket. In the 1920s, HKU attracted a substantial number of students from South and Southeast Asia, who were keen for a Western- style, English-language education. There were enough of them to make a cricket team, but in the decades after World War ll and up to the present century, their numbers plunged and the team was stopped. In the past couple of years, the South Asian student population has increased by enough to revive the HKU Cricket Team. Engineering undergraduate Ashwin Dokania, who played cricket at the provincial level in his native India, was one of the instigators. "We wanted to introduce this sport amongst the locals and of course, the cricket lovers who are far away from home." More than 70 local and international students have now expressed interest in joining the team. Off Their Own Bat Diversity and Equal Opportunity The University believes every student, regardless of race, disability or sexual orientation, should be able to pursue their education free of discrimination and harassment. To support this message, we have implemented an equal opportunity policy and set up an Equal Opportunities Unit to deal with complaints and conduct promotional activities. The unit organises an annual festival, which in 2013-14 promoted inclusion with respect to sexual equality. Students with special educational needs are also supported through a service provided under the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS). In 2014 the name of this service was changed from 'Accessibility Support' to 'SEN Support' to reflect the diversity of needs in the student population, including physical or sensory disabilities, learning or developmental disabilities, and mental illness. More than 140 students self-identified as having a disability or special educational need during the year, and they were offered services that included academic support, counselling, learning aids and equipment, and training, awareness and other information programmes. HKU is recognised by the Education Bureau, Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission, parent groups and others for the quality of support it offers students with special needs. Ashwin Dokania (top row, third from left) with the newly revived HKU Cricket Team and their counterparts from 1921. Teaching and Learning