Category: Student

Marking its 10th anniversary, the HSUHK Innovation Project Competition 2025 stands as a milestone celebration of a decade-long commitment to nurturing creativity, fostering innovation, and driving real-world impact. Organised by the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Section of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), this year’s Competition culminated on 27 February 2025, bringing together some of HSUHK’s brightest minds to pitch their groundbreaking ideas in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

What started in 2015 as a platform to ignite student-led innovation has now grown into one of HSUHK’s most anticipated and influential competitions, empowering students to turn ideas into action. Over the past decade, the competition has inspired hundreds of student teams to develop creative solutions across various industries, and connected young innovators with industry leaders, offering mentorship and real-world exposure.

To commemorate this remarkable journey, the “HSUHK Innovation Project Competition – A Decade of Innovation” exhibition was held at the HSUHK Library, showcasing past award-winning projects and the transformative ideas that have shaped the competition’s legacy.

ESG@HSUHK: Innovating for a Sustainable Future

This year’s theme, ESG@HSUHK, challenged students to develop pioneering solutions that integrate sustainability into campus life, business strategies, and technological innovations. From green infrastructure and carbon reduction strategies to AI-driven ESG applications and socially responsible business models, students demonstrated their ability to tackle pressing global challenges with creativity and purpose.

A Transformative Learning Experience

This year, participants embarked on an intensive innovation journey, enriched by a series of expert-led workshops, industry talks, and experiential learning opportunities:

• From Green Buildings to Scenic Routes: An Eco Tour Experience (9 Jan) – Exploring sustainable urban planning and eco-friendly infrastructure on campus and beyond
• Write Your Successful Proposal: Begin with the End in Mind (16 Jan) – A hands-on workshop on crafting impactful project proposals.
• ESG Journey Starts Here: Inspiring Sustainable Innovations at HSUHK (16 Jan) – Understanding ESG principles and their real-world applications.
• Impact Innovation: Secrets to Unlocking Your Creative Mind (23 Jan) – Cultivating creative problem-solving skills for ESG-driven solutions.
• Tour to “The Henderson” (10 Feb) – A behind-the-scenes look at one of Hong Kong’s most sustainable office buildings.
• Facilitative Questioning in ESG Consultation (13 Feb) – Strengthening critical thinking and strategic questioning skills.
• Pitch Your Pitch (20 Feb) – A final opportunity for teams to refine their presentations before the grand finale.

The Grand Finale: Showcasing a Decade of Talent

The Competition reached its peak on 27 February, when six shortlisted teams presented their ESG ideas before a panel of esteemed judges, including (presented in alphabetical order by last name): Dr Chan Chi-kit (Director of Institute for Youth Sustainability Leadership), our head judge Dr Ben Cheng (Director of Centre for Teaching and Learning), Mr Ricky Lam (Associate Dean (Enterprise and Business Engagement), School of Business), Dr Thomas Man (Director of Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship), Ms Antonia Yeung (Associate Vice-President (Development and Campus Services)), and Mr Johnny Yu (Head of Sustainability, Henderson Land). We also cordially invited Mr David Wong, Lecturer from the Department of Management, to witness the fruits of his consultation.

Before the Pitching Competition, a symbolic Kick-Off Ceremony set the stage for this landmark 10th edition, where distinguished guests illuminated the letters “TLE & IPC”, representing Teaching & Learning Enhancement Section and the Innovation Project Competition. This act of illumination was a tribute to a decade of innovation, honouring ten years of ideas that sparked change. The glowing letters stood as a visual metaphor, reminding all that innovation, when nurtured, brightens the path toward a sustainable and forward-thinking future.

Recognising Excellence & Driving Real-World Change

The Martin Ka Shing Lee Innovation Awards, made possible by a generous donation in 2023 from Dr Martin Lee Ka-shing, GBS, JP, Chairman of Henderson Land Group, were presented to the most outstanding projects. This encouraging support continues to fuel innovation, technology advancement, and youth development at HSUHK.

Celebrating a Legacy, Building the Future

As the HSUHK Innovation Project Competition 2025 comes to a close, it is evident that this 10th-anniversary edition is more than just a celebration—it is a turning point for the future. Over the past decade, the Competition has evolved into a catalyst for change, empowering students to become leaders in innovation and sustainability.

A huge congratulations to all participants for their brilliance, dedication, and creativity! The HSUHK community eagerly anticipates the transformative impact your ESG@HSUHK projects will bring to both our campus and the wider world.

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.

As part of the HSUHK Innovation Project Competition 2025 with the theme “ESG@HSUHK”, the workshop “Facilitative Questioning in ESG Consultation” was held on 13 February 2025, led by John Lee, Partner at THINK ESG. Designed to equip students with effective consultation techniques, the session introduced facilitative questioning—a structured approach that enables individuals to reflect, explore perspectives, and develop actionable solutions independently.

Organised by the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Section (TLE) of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the workshop provided an interactive, hands-on learning experience, reinforcing the distinction between process-driven facilitation and content-based advising. Mr Lee emphasised that effective facilitation is not about offering direct solutions, but rather about guiding individuals through a structured process that encourages self-reflection, sparks new insights, and leads to actionable next steps—without the facilitator intervening in decision-making. This principle set the foundation for understanding how facilitative questioning can empower individuals to uncover their own solutions rather than simply receiving advice.

To put this concept into practice, students were first invited to identify and articulate their own issue statements, ranging from personal dilemmas to ESG-related challenges. This exercise encouraged them to engage with the consultation process from both the facilitator’s and issue owner’s perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of how structured questioning can drive meaningful discussions.

To illustrate the impact of structured inquiry, Mr Lee introduced a simple yet effective scenario: choosing a restaurant when meeting a friend from another university with an aim to establish a collaborative relationship. Through this exercise, students explored various types of facilitative questioning——and how each can shape decision-making and problem-solving.

Building on these concepts, students participated in a role-playing exercise, alternating between the roles of facilitator and issue owner. This interactive practice allowed them to apply the questioning framework to real-world ESG challenges, reinforcing the importance of guiding rather than directing discussions.

A highlight of the workshop was a live demonstration, where a student volunteer stepped onto the stage to share concerns about internship opportunities and career prospects. John, acting as the facilitator, demonstrated how strategic questioning can help an issue owner break down their concerns, challenge assumptions, and identify practical next steps. This exercise showcased the transformative impact of well-structured facilitation, leaving students with a deeper appreciation of how questioning can unlock clarity, confidence, and solution-oriented thinking.

As the session concluded, students reflected on their key takeaways and provided instant feedback, with overwhelmingly positive responses on the practicality and applicability of the techniques introduced. More than just an exercise in consultation, the workshop highlighted facilitative questioning as a critical leadership skill, equipping students with the ability to support their peers, foster meaningful ESG discussions, and drive impact within the broader HSUHK community.

10 February 2025 was a remarkable day characterised by forward-thinking innovation, Henderson Land Group offered an exclusive opportunity for our students to visit The Henderson, their latest landmark at the heart of Central. Led by their Head of Sustainability, Mr Johnny Yu, alongside their key Project Manager Mr Vincent Yeung, the tour offered a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand insight into Henderson Land’s comprehensive sustainability vision and strategy.

During the tour, the students engaged actively with the innovative architectural designs, discovering the various Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) features that position The Henderson as a trailblazer in sustainable development. Students had the privilege to better understand how their practices not only promote environmental stewardship but also enhance the quality of life for the community.

This tour was truly inspiring as we got to witness our students’ enthusiasm, keen interest, and the thoughtful questions they posed throughout the tour. Their engagement highlighted the importance of education in fostering a new generation of professionals dedicated to sustainable practices.

We believe this experience not only equips our students with valuable knowledge but also ignites a passion for sustainable architecture and urban development. Let us work together in paving the way for a greener future, one inspired mind at a time!

As part of the exciting line-up of the HSUHK Innovation Project Competition 2025, the workshop “Impact Innovation: Secrets to Unlocking Your Creative Minds” was held on 23 January 2025, led by Mr Cyron Chan, Executive Director of MakerBay Foundation. With a focus on human-centred innovation, the workshop offered our students a hands-on exploration of design thinking principles, equipping them with the tools to address complex challenges through empathetic and creative problem-solving.

Organised by the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Section (TLE) of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the workshop drew HSUHK students to explore the transformative power of design thinking in driving meaningful solutions. Cyron stressed the importance of empathy as the cornerstone of innovation, urging participants to deeply understand the experiences, needs, and challenges of others before developing solutions.

Participants engaged in an interactive exercise where they paired up to share personal challenges and brainstorm solutions tailored to their partner’s needs. This activity brought design thinking principles to life, demonstrating how empathetic approaches can lead to impactful, user-centric solutions.

The workshop aligned directly with this year’s competition theme, “ESG@HSUHK”, which focuses on advancing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.  As the workshop concluded, our students left with actionable strategies and fresh perspectives to integrate into their “ESG@HSUHK” proposals.

By embedding experiential learning opportunities like this into its academic framework, CTL empowers students and staff to make impactful contributions to sustainability and innovation on campus and beyond.