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The four-week Lee Shiu Summer Programme 2016, an international tri-city exploration leadership and cultural exchange programme, was completed recently. The programme was organised by the Chung Chi College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), in collaboration with the University Scholars Programme of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Yuanpei College of Peking University (PKU). It attracted over 70 students from Hong Kong, mainland China, Singapore and the United States.  Tours to three major Asian cities – Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing – were arranged.  With the theme of ‘Road to Success in the Modern World’, the participants probed into problems in contemporary societies, while pondering on the notion of and ways to success by exploration, and learning and interchange activities. 

The programme’s closing ceremony, held at Zhongguanyuan Global Village of PKU, was officiated at by Dr. Lee Shiu and Dr. Jennie Mui Lee, initiators and sponsors of the programme, Prof. Fong Wing-ping, Head of the Chung Chi College, CUHK, Dr. Wang Bo, Assistant to the President, PKU, and Prof. Su Yanjie, Associate Dean of the Yuanpei College, PKU.  

Widening International Perspective through Tri-city Exploration

 Delegates visited a number of private enterprises, non-government organisations, government departments and exhibition centres so as to understand the crises and challenges faced by Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing from many angles, and to widen their international perspective. Places visited included the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre, Initium Media, the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong (ICAC), the Singapore Housing & Development Board, the NEWater in Singapore, Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall, and Beijing Art Museum of Migrant Workers.

Speakers from various sectors were invited to deliver lectures, including Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, Dr. Philemon Choi Yue-wan, President, Youth Global Network and The Youth Foundation, Ms. Agnes Chiang Lai-ping, Founder of Love Foundation, Dr. Leung Wing-tai, Former General Secretary, Breakthrough Ltd., Mr. Ronnie Chan Chi-chung, Chairman, Hang Lung Group Limited, Prof. Kishore Mahbubani, Former Permanent Secretary at the Foreign Ministry of Singapore, and Dr. Wu Zhipan, Executive Vice President, PKU. To appreciate the predicaments of different social classes, the participants joined in many experiential learning activities, for example a heritage and eco tour at the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, an experience tour in Dialogue in the Dark, a poverty experience workshop at the Crossroads Foundation, and visits to the Ground-up Initiative of Singapore and Lichuan Middle School in Beijing. Their findings were reported in the Lee Shiu Young Leaders Forum on the last day of the tour. 

Liu Xinlu from NUS said, ‘For the first time, I approached three top Asian cities from an academic perspective, and perceived their social, administrative and scholarly auras. Dialectically, the success stories of celebrities enlightened me to examine my life ideals, made me more assured of my own goals, and helped me identify the directions for future developments.’

Exchange between Four Regions

Another objective of the programme was to enable students from institutions and regions with diverse cultural backgrounds to learn from one another, while accepting the divergences. A few Hong Kong members even invited others to their homes for dinner, demonstrating a strong bond. ‘Through on-site surveys, I could learn more about the culture, urban planning and visions of Hong Kong, Singapore and Beijing. In relating to members of dissimilar backgrounds, I have learnt to respect and embrace their culture,’ commented Chong Zhun-hung from CUHK. 

Trip to the Great Hall

Through a special arrangement by Dr. Anita Leung Fung-yee, Member of the Board of Trustees and alumnus of Ching Chi College, delegates made an excursion to and lunched at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, being present in the principal venue for state and foreign affairs occasions. ‘Appearing before my eyes were scenes that I saw in news. It felt like I was a part of those events. It’s overwhelming!  I was so honoured to be able to have lunch at the Great Hall as an ordinary student!’ said Miss Deng from PKU.