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Hong Chi Association (HCA) and Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) today renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for another five years (2027-2031). The renewal underscores a shared, long-term commitment to a mutually beneficial collaboration and realizing the vision of "Co-Creating Inclusive Futures."

The signing ceremony was officiated by Mr. Edward Tang-wah Yau, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Chi Association Council, and Professor Alexander Ping-kong Wai, JP, President and Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University. The MoU was officially signed by Ms. Zuie Lin, General Secretary of Hong Chi Association, and Dr. Albert Wai-lap Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of Hong Kong Baptist University. A "Collaboration Showcase" was also held alongside the ceremony to highlight the fruitful achievements of the partnership over the past two years.

Beyond the Classroom: Two-Way Service-Learning in Action 
Since its inception, the partnership has successfully launched 14 collaborative projects across eight Hong Chi schools and 12 service units, benefiting 260 trainees, with the enthusiastic participation of 250 HKBU students and faculty members.

Moving beyond traditional coursework, HKBU students actively engaged with Hong Chi trainees through various creative endeavors. Highlights included co-designing the "HC Handcraft" logo for the Nam Cheong Station project, hosting art jamming sessions, and translating physical artworks into a spectacular drone light show. The university students also documented the trainees' life stories through an oral history project, and co-organized social innovation markets and energy workshops featuring an inclusive theme song—truly demonstrating how "life influences life."

A Shared Vision: Empowering Inclusion Through Human Connection
Sharing his broader vision for the partnership, Mr. Edward Tang-wah Yau likened the collaboration to a magnet. "At its core, this partnership is about people," he explained. "The dynamic between HCA and HKBU generates a powerful force of mutual attraction and momentum. Through service-learning, individuals with intellectual disabilities are by no means just recipients of support; they are actively utilizing their strengths to 'pay it forward.' We believe that the genuine, heart-to-heart encounters between the university students and our trainees will become an important emotional journey in everyone's future lives, inspiring students to continue championing social inclusion when they enter the workplace."

Advancing Social Inclusion: Interdisciplinary Expansion and Mutual Growth 
Looking ahead to the next five years, both parties will continue to advance social inclusion by initiating joint research projects with substantial social impact. The collaboration will expand into interdisciplinary fields such as sports, music, health technology, and cross-media creation to comprehensively enhance the well-being of individuals with intellectual disabilities. More importantly, this deepened partnership further underscores the core value of mutual benefit and a win-win outcome. " As shared by an HKBU student, during their interactions, they were not merely service providers but also learners who discovered an invaluable sense of "purity" from the trainees. This two-way growth, where life influences life, will lay a solid foundation for establishing a more forward-looking model of social inclusion.

Hong Chi Association Announces Landmark Partnership with Hong Kong Baptist University
(Front left) Dr Albert Wai-lap Chau , Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of Hong Kong Baptist University
(Back left) Professor Alexander Ping-kong Wai,JP, President and Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University
(Front right) Ms. Zuie Lin, General Secretary of Hong Chi Association
(Back right) Mr. Edward Tang-wah Yau, GBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Chi Association Council
 

Hong Chi Association and Hong Kong Baptist University have established a long-term collaborative relationship to promote and implement social inclusion, and have marked an important milestone for model of special education. Hong Chi Association and Hong Kong Baptist University have established a long-term collaborative relationship to promote and implement social inclusion, and have marked an important milestone for model of special education. Hong Chi Association and Hong Kong Baptist University have established a long-term collaborative relationship to promote and implement social inclusion, and have marked an important milestone for model of special education.