The motto of Cheng Yu Tung College is “Aspiration, Love, Refinement”. Service-learning instills in students the love of humanity. This service-learning initiative was jointly organized by Meng Xiancheng College of East China Normal University (Shanghai), Chu Kochen Honors College of Zhejiang University, United College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Cheng Yu Tung College of University of Macau. The program, titled “Starlight Encounter” Summer Camp, was held from July 7 to July 18, 2025, in Yumin County, Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang.
Led by Resident Fellow, Ms. Diane Lu, a team of five CYTC students participated in the service-learning project. The camp brought together over 130 local children from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Han, Kazakh, Mongolian, and Zhuang. Working alongside peers from other universities, the college team designed a series of courses centered on the theme “Diverse Exploration, Holistic Growth.”
The curriculum blended science, art, cultural heritage, and practical life skills: from introductory lessons like “Animal Classification” and “Basics of Acids and Bases” to immersive sessions on traditional culture such as “Chinese Idioms” and “The 24 Solar Terms.” Topics like “Portuguese-style Tiles” and “Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge” connected local culture with global perspectives, while courses on “Anti-Bullying” and “Personal Boundaries” taught self-protection skills. Additionally, sessions like “Understanding Emotions” and “Gender Equality” fostered social-emotional learning.
With the collaborative efforts of the four partner institutions, the “Starlight Encounter” Summer Camp concluded successfully. Through its diverse curriculum, the college team not only broadened the children’s horizons but also sowed seeds of growth, showcasing the power of cross-regional and cross-cultural educational exchange.
