The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (香港理工大学; PolyU) 

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), established in 1937, is ranked 5th in Hong Kong and 65th in the world. It is known for its outstanding programs in tourism and hospitality, arts and design, and civil engineering, where it holds the top position in Hong Kong. The university has around 25,000-30,000 students.

Regarding the management of general education at PolyU, the team from SOLGEN was warmly welcomed and given a lecture by Professor Daniel Shek, who is the Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) at PolyU.

The topic of the lecture was the General University Requirements at PolyU. Professor Shek explained the history and details of the university’s general education curriculum. The program is divided into 7 clusters totaling 30 credit hours as follows:

• CAR (Cluster-Area Requirement): 12 credit hours
• LCR (Language and Communication Requirement): 9 credit hours
• SL (Service Learning): 3 credit hours
• LEAD (Leadership Education and Development): 3 credit hours
• AIDA (Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics Requirement): 2 credit hours
• IE (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Requirement): 1 credit hour
• Healthy Lifestyle: No credit hours

PolyU’s teaching approach combines theory with practice, focusing on real-world applications and professional development. The general education program includes projects and community service to enhance social responsibility and practical skills.

One interesting aspect of PolyU’s general education is the Service Learning Cluster, which integrates community service with the curriculum. This allows students to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world work while fostering a sense of responsibility, ethics, and good citizenship. Students reflect on their experiences through discussions and written reports.