University Social Responsibility: The PolyU Way

Abstract

In view of the many complex global issues, there is a call to re-think higher education institutions’ relationship with society and their role in improving global quality of life. Universities are now challenged to focus not only on individual institution’s interest, prestige and graduate employment prospects, but also to be socially relevant and responsible by addressing societal needs, both locally and globally. This chapter aims to present and showcase how The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been moving with the times and fulfilling its social responsibilities while coping with the social and economic changes in Hong Kong and the region.

Appendices

Appendix 1: Academic Programmes Related to Green Buildings , Environment and Sustainability at PolyU in 2014

Faculty/school/department	Programme
Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology	BSc (Hons) in Chemical Technology
Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology	Higher Diploma in Chemical Technology
Department of Building and Real Estate	BSc (Hons) in Building Engineering and Management
Department of Building and Real Estate	BSc (Hons) in Surveying
Department of Building and Real Estate	Higher Diploma in Building Technology and Management (Engineering)
Department of Building Services Engineering	BEng (Hons) in Building Services Engineering
Department of Building Services Engineering	Higher Diploma in Building Services Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering	BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering	BEng (Hons) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering	BSc (Hons) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering	Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering
Faculty of Construction and Environment	MEng in Building Services Engineering
Faculty of Construction and Environment	MSc in Building Services Engineering
Faculty of Construction and Environment	MSc in Environmental Management and Engineering
Faculty of Construction and Environment	MSc in Facility Management
Faculty of Construction and Environment	MSc in High Performance Buildings
Faculty of Construction and Environment	MSc in Sustainable Urban Development
Faculty of Construction and Environment	MSc/PgD in Fire and Safety Engineering
School of Design	BA (Hons) in Design (Environment and Interior)
School of Design	MDes in Urban Environments Design

Appendix 2: Declaration on University Social Responsibility

大學社會責任宣言

Together, we make our declaration on University Social Responsibility (USR) as follows:

我們謹此共同發表大學社會責任宣言如下:

We:

我們

• 1. Reaffirm that universities should include social responsibility references in their mission, vision and strategy, in a way that will have genuine impact on all their decisions and activities—management, learning and teaching , research , knowledge transfer and services , thereby driving the sustainable development of our society and our world.

謹此重申,大學的使命、願景及策略均須涵蓋社會責任這一環,以期對大學的所有決定及活動 (包括管理、學與教、研究、知識轉移及服務)發揮實質影響,從而推動社會以至世界的持續發展。

• 2. Reaffirm that universities have a responsibility to promote and encourage, among students, faculty, staff and stakeholders, behaviors consistent with the values of justice, equality, social responsibility and sustainability.

謹此重申,大學有責任向學生、教職員及持份者宣導與正義、平等、社會責任及持續發展這些價值取向一致的行為。

• 3. Reaffirm the role of universities in advancing the society’s understanding of global issues of social, economic, scientific and cultural nature; as well as leading society to address the challenges through education and the generation of knowledge and technologies.

謹此重申,大學有責任促進社會了解與社會、經濟、科學及文化相關的全球問題,並透過教育、知識創造和科技創新,帶領社會應對挑戰。

• 4. Advocate cooperation amongst universities, and partnership between communities and universities, to identify and evaluate best practices for the continued development and promotion of USR policies and programmes.

謹此倡議,大學與大學之間,以及大學與社會各個界別應加強合作,就大學社會責任的政策及活動的發展和宣傳探究最佳模式。