The Review 2014

THE REVIEW 2014 ⎜ 37 Knowledge Exchange A Quantitative Finance-turned-Mechanical Engineering student has put his skills to work to help people in Kenya and Cambodia. Thomas Lai switched to Engineering after joining friends on a service trip to Kenya in 2012, where he was tasked with designing a water filter. He initially decided to study Engineering in Britain, but missed Hong Kong and the service opportunities at HKU, so he returned after one year. With a friend, he then formed Pathfinder, a group dedicated to improving water and sanitation conditions in Cambodia. In the summer of 2014, after raising more than $100,000, they visited a school where they designed and built a structure to keep its toilets and water filter safe from annual floods. Thomas has also designed a bicycle generator to provide backup power for wastewater treatment. More projects are planned for future. "At HKU you not only have the chance to participate in service trips like this but you can organise them yourselves. I've had a lot of opportunity and support, and I've learned a lot," he said. "Even when I finish my studies, I want to continue working on these kinds of projects." A Philosophy MPhil student was the driving force behind a project to reconnect secondary school students with the natural environment and empower them to initiate conservation and environmental education work in their schools. Kathleen Ho Ka-yan worked with two PhD students, Xoni Ma Kwan-ki from the Kadoorie Institute and Li Pui-sze from the Faculty of Science, to create a programme for 64 Form 4–6 students that involved four full days of field visits, reflection, and devising action plans for their schools, most of which were implemented. "The students' attitudes towards environmental conservation changed quite quickly with some help and a push from us. It made me think we should continue to provide this sort of education for the younger generation," Kathleen said. Engineering Solutions in Cambodia Planetary Action A desire to understand Islam led a team of non- Muslim Arts students to launch a magazine, Connect , which looks at the Muslim community in cultural terms and tries to break down the barriers between Muslims and non-Muslims. The first issue, published in 2014, focused on love and marriage and proved enlightening for the students who discovered Muslims were happy and willing to talk about their beliefs and practices. The idea for the publication originated with Shirley Wong Lok-yin, a second-year Arts student, who was curious about Muslim religion and culture. "We want to facilitate cultural exchange and give a voice to those who are not so familiar to us, and to break down cultural stereotypes," she said. Understanding Islam Student Initiatives Many HKU students are keen to make a difference in the world and improve the lives of others. They are supported formally through the Centre of Development and Resources for Students, which provides support for incubating ideas and help in connecting with donors, and the Student Knowledge Exchange Project Grant Scheme. But mostly, it is the students who do the fundraising and organising, making their KE activities a learning experience, too. Biodiversity programme developers (from left): Li Pui-sze, Kathleen Ho and Xoni Ma. Thomas Lai in Kenya (above) and with Pathfinder friends and supporters at HKU . Connect founders Jamie Tse and Shirley Wong.