As part of the HSUHK Innovation Project Competition 2025, themed “ESG@HSUHK”, the “Pitch Your Pitch” workshop was held on 20 February 2025, attracting nearly 20 enthusiastic students keen to refine their persuasive communication skills. Led by Dr Sue Yip, an experienced university English-language instructor, the interactive session provided students with practical pitching techniques that would not only benefit them in the Competition but also in their academic and professional journeys.
Dr Yip opened the session with a captivating personal travel story, illustrating how understanding an audience’s needs is fundamental to crafting a compelling pitch. She introduced key elements of persuasive communication, focusing on how to structure a pitch effectively with a clear introduction, a well-developed body, and a strong conclusion. She also underscored the significance of capturing the audience’s attention from the outset, mastering body language, maintaining eye contact, and projecting confidence. By stressing that a great pitch is not merely about content but about connection, she set the foundation for helping students refine their presentation skills.
To reinforce these key principles, students participated in a dynamic group exercise where they collaborated to craft and refine their own pitches. This interactive approach allowed them to put theory into practice and experiment with different presentation techniques. A highlight of the session was the live role-play segment, where participants took turns delivering their pitches and received real-time feedback from both their peers and Dr Yip. By focusing on personality, interaction, and body language, students gained practical insights into how small adjustments in tone, posture, and delivery style can significantly enhance audience engagement.
As the session concluded, students expressed their appreciation for the practical strategies and constructive feedback they received. The workshop left them feeling more equipped to tackle pitching challenges both within the competition and beyond. We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr Sue Yip for her expertise and engaging facilitation, which empowered students with the skills and confidence to excel in their future presentations. With a renewed understanding of effective pitching, we look forward to seeing them apply these techniques in the competition and in their future endeavours.
Dr Sue Yip demonstrates the importance of understanding an audience’s needs in crafting a compelling pitch.
Students deliver a live pitch during the interactive role-play segment, receiving real-time feedback from Dr Yip.
A token of appreciation as Dr Holly Chung, Associate Director, Teaching and Learning Enhancement Section, Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), hands over a souvenir to acknowledge Dr Yip’s efforts in enlightening HSUHK students.
During the question-and-answer session, students engage with Sue exchanging constructive feedback.
