8-12 March 2021

HSUHK’s first Inclusion Week with the theme ‘Embrace Diversity’ was organised by the SEN Support of Student Affairs Office (SAO) in the week of 8 March 2021. Through various thematic exhibitions, workshops and talks, the campaign enhanced HSUHK students’ and staff’s understanding of students with special educational needs (SEN), raised their awareness and recognition of inclusion and diversity, and promoted the caring spirit around the campus.

In view of the latest development of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, the inclusive activities and the Kick-off Ceremony of the Inclusion Week were mainly conducted online. The Inclusion Week was kick-started with a Kick-off Ceremony on 8 March 2021 at the Fung Yiu King Hall, with over 150 HSUHK students, staff and representatives from other universities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) attending on-site and online. To signify the launch of the Inclusion Week, several representatives from different NGOs shared messages on the importance of SEN awareness and sent their blessings towards our first Inclusion Week. In the welcoming speech, Dr Tom Fong, Vice-President (Organisational Development), expressed gratitude for the support of all the guests. He emphasised that the respect and acceptance towards diversity and inclusion was one of the core values of HSUHK, and HSUHK aimed to enhance awareness and acceptance of individual differences and SEN among students and staff.

Following the Kick-off Ceremony, a series of thematic workshops and talks were held online from 8 to 12 March 2021. Over 500 participants took part in the six online activities provided by different NGOs which offered good opportunities for HUSHK students and staff to understand the needs, the characteristics and communication skills with people with varied SEN through interactive approaches from fundamental to advanced level.

Apart from the online activities, the SEN Support also co-organised with the Heep Hong Society the ‘Autism in Love’ Exhibition on the ground floor of S H Ho Academic Building to promote the acceptance and appreciation of the uniqueness of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through funny cartoon display boards, students and staff could understand more about the characteristics of people with ASD and the challenges they encountered in a love relationship. Over 200 visits were recorded during period.

With the support from the Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) of the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund of the Education Bureau, HSUHK has launched its first 2-year project ‘Towards Students Success-Developing Holistic Support for Students with Special Educational Needs’ on enhancement of support services for students with special educational needs and non-Chinese speaking students since September 2020. The SEN Support aspires to provide one-stop support service and create an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with diverse needs, and it will continuously organise different inclusive activities and training programmes for HSUHK family. We hope everyone had a fruitful and joyful experience from the Kick-off Ceremony and the Inclusion Week.

Students’ Reflection

“Now I got a deeper understanding of SEN, and know that Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, speech and language impairment, physical disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment and even mental illness are included in SEN and it is not limited to those with physical disability.” (Mr Simon Sin)

“I have learnt that a simple, direct communication with patience and guidance is good for communicating with people with SEN. I would love to share the useful SEN information with friends and family, and wish they can get along with people with SEN.” (Mr Vincent Ng)