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Nurturing Service Leadership Qualities in University Students Through Corporate-Community-University Partnership

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Service-Learning for Youth Leadership

Part of the book series: Quality of Life in Asia ((QLAS,volume 12))

Abstract

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) started its collaboration with the Project WeCan since 2014 to implement a Service Learning course to serve disadvantaged secondary schools. A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with four teachers was conducted to evaluate this collaborative venture. Results revealed that the greatest challenges were conflict of time and communication problems between university and secondary schools. Despite the challenges encountered, university students showed enhanced self-reflection ability, broadened horizon, development of moral character , and growth in civic engagement . PolyU teachers also reported having increased reflection on teaching and improved relationship with colleagues and students. The service also had positive influence on secondary school students . The factors contributing to successful collaboration and suggestions for improvement are highlighted.

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Acknowledgements

The Service-Learning subjects in Project WeCan were financially supported by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University . The coordination and evaluation work as well as the present manuscript are financially supported by Project WeCan .

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Hong Kong

    Daniel T. L. Shek, Mabel N. S. Cheng & Cecilia M. S. Ma

Authors
  1. Daniel T. L. Shek
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  2. Mabel N. S. Cheng
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  3. Cecilia M. S. Ma
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel T. L. Shek .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Daniel T. L. Shek

  2. Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Grace Ngai

  3. Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Stephen C. F. Chan

Appendix 1: In-Depth Interview Guide for PolyU Teachers

Appendix 1: In-Depth Interview Guide for PolyU Teachers

Part One: On Promoting Service Learning

  1. 1.

    Please share your view on Service Learning

  2. 2.

    When did you start teaching this subject and work with the Project WeCan ?

    1. a.

      Who are your collaborating secondary schools?

  3. 3.

    Please share your experience assisting the students to design their activities .

    1. a.

      What are the core activities ?

    2. b.

      What was the most unforgettable activity?

  4. 4.

    In your opinion, what are the key elements that had smoothen the program implementation process?

  5. 5.

    While implementing the program, have you encountered any difficulties? If yes, please share with us of some examples.

    1. a.

      How did you deal with these difficulties?

  6. 6.

    Overall, what are the greatest challenges encountered by the students?

    1. a.

      How did you help them to overcome these challenges ?

Part Two: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Program

  1. 1.

    Have you noticed any changes in your students after participating in the Service-Learning program? If yes, what are the changes?

  2. 2.

    If you noticed changes in students, what are the factors you anticipated to cause such changes?

  3. 3.

    If you have not noticed changes in your students, what are the factors that caused your students with least changes?

  4. 4.

    In your opinion, what are the program impacts on

    1. a.

      Secondary school students ,

    2. b.

      Secondary school in general, and

    3. c.

      PolyU teachers

  5. 5.

    Are the aforementioned changes comparable to the goals of the program?

Part Three: Overall Evaluation of Service Learning

  1. 1.

    What are the most unforgettable experiences in this program?

  2. 2.

    As the lecturer/coordinator of this program, did you gain any insight or reflection on education?

  3. 3.

    In your opinion, what factors or arrangement can foster the benefits of participating students?

Part Four: Collaboration with Wharf and Corresponding Secondary Schools

  1. 1.

    Please describe your collaboration with corresponding secondary schools in the past three years

    1. 1.1.

      Please evaluate your collaboration based on the following aspects:

      1. 1.1.1.

        Shared goals/value

      2. 1.1.2.

        Communication (understanding each other’s expectation/communicate to solve problem when encountering difficulties)

      3. 1.1.3.

        Level of trust (in regards of program planning, decision making, and program implementation )

      4. 1.1.4.

        Commitment (participate in activities held by PolyU students /give advice/provide support /supervise students/provide administrative support )

      5. 1.1.5.

        Program evaluation (review of the quality of program and the collaboration)

  2. 2.

    Please describe your collaboration with corresponding secondary schools in the past three years

    1. 2.1.

      Please evaluate your collaboration based on the following aspects:

      1. 2.1.1.

        Shared goals/value

      2. 2.1.2.

        Communication (understanding each other’s expectation/communicate to solve problem when encountering difficulties)

      3. 2.1.3.

        Level of trust (in regards of program planning, decision making, and program implementation )

      4. 2.1.4.

        Commitment (participate in activities held by PolyU students /give advice/provide support /supervise students/provide administrative support )

      5. 2.1.5.

        Program evaluation (review of the quality of program and the collaboration)

  3. 3.

    Please share your view on multi-sectoral collaboration .

  4. 4.

    In your opinion, what changes can be made within the multi-sectoral relationship in order to smoothen the program implementation ?

  5. 5.

    In your opinion, what changes can be made within the multi-sectoral relationship in order to expand the benefits of participating PolyU students and secondary school students ?

Part Five: Other Opinion

  1. 1.

    Are you satisfied with the program? What are the satisfied or dissatisfied areas?

  2. 2.

    From your perspective, in what areas can the program be improved?

  3. 3.

    Do you have any other comments or feelings?

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Shek, D.T.L., Cheng, M.N.S., Ma, C.M.S. (2019). Nurturing Service Leadership Qualities in University Students Through Corporate-Community-University Partnership. In: T. L. Shek, D., Ngai, G., C. F. Chan, S. (eds) Service-Learning for Youth Leadership. Quality of Life in Asia, vol 12. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0448-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0448-4_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-0447-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-0448-4

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