Hong Kong Shue Yan University and Tung Wah College Jointly Launched the National and Values Education Online Learning Platform with the Goal to Achieve Societal Harmony
 

The National and Values Education (NAVE) Online Learning Platform, jointly developed by Hong Kong Shue Yan University and Tung Wah College, was officially launched on June 6, 2024. The platform is the first in Hong Kong to promote national, national security and values education to tertiary students through online interactive games.

The launch ceremony at HKSYU was officiated by Mr Vincent HUI Yin-fung, Assistant Secretary (Continuing Education) of the Education Bureau, Professor Catherine SUN Tien-lun, HKSYU Senior Vice President, and Professor Sally CHAN, President of Tung Wah College. Members of HKSYU senior management and representatives from academic departments also attended the event.

In his address, Mr HUI highlighted HKSYU’s longstanding commitment to “cultivating virtues of benevolence” based on Confucian values and its mission to promote benevolent education and Chinese culture. On the other hand, Tung Wah College is known for its emphasis on selfless care and social responsibility. The learning platform thus demonstrates a robust collaboration that combines the strengths of both institutions.

Mr HUI noted that the younger generation represents the future of Hong Kong and the country, adding that the society has high expectations for tertiary institutions to nurture well-rounded individuals with positive values, global perspectives, and a strong sense of national pride.

Professor SUN elaborated on the university’s philosophy of education, which focuses on the comprehensive development and cultivation of exemplary individuals. She said university education should extend beyond providing professional knowledge and skills to include social responsibility, ethics, love of the country, respect for others, and upholding the laws. This aligns with Confucius’s teaching of “cultivating oneself to bring peace to others” to achieve societal harmony.

Professor Sally CHAN reiterated the importance of national education as a core component of values education centered on Chinese culture. She stressed that tertiary institutions have an inherent duty to maintain national security through education. They are also responsible for fostering students’ understanding of national development, national security concepts, and the importance of the rule of law and cultivating them into law-abiding and responsible citizens with a strong national identity.

Dr Raymond CHUI Chi-fai, the development coordinator of the Online Learning Platform, said integrating games and interactive elements helps boost learning motivation and engagement. Each module features 3 to 5 short video clips or animations to present the content more vividly. In the future, the platform plans to include more animations and games to enhance student interest. He expects as many as 1,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students from HKSYU to complete the course tests and achieve passing grades.

Since January, HKSYU has made the course available to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. Tung Wah College also piloted the platform in March and plans to launch it officially in the new academic year. Students from both institutions are required to complete 15 hours of study and achieve a passing grade to meet the graduation requirements.

Since July 2022, the National and Values Education (NAVE) Online Learning Platform has been supported by the Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) under the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund of the Education Bureau. The platform aims to cultivate positive values and attitudes, law-abiding citizenship, and a strong national identity among students while enhancing their awareness of national security.

Teaching staff from both institutions design and develop the platform’s content. It combines interactivity and practicality, including videos, games, and animations, to enhance student participation and motivation and promote effective learning outcomes.

Mr Vincent HUI Yin-fung, Assistant Secretary (Continuing Education) of the Education Bureau gave an address at the ceremony.

Professor Sally CHAN, President of Tung Wah College, gave a speech at the ceremony.

Dr Raymond CHUI Chi-fai, development coordinator of the “National and Values Education (NAVE) Online Learning Platform”, gave a speech at the ceremony.