Marking its 55th anniversary, Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) continues to give back through a wide range of community initiatives. Once again, a volunteer team comprising staff, students and alumni set out to serve. At the invitation of alumnus Dr James Wong Kong-tin, Vice-chairman of the Agency for Volunteer Service, the team took part in “Hong Kong Tree Planting Day 2026” at Tsiu Hang, Sai Kung on 28 March. Together with partner groups, they planted 5,000 native saplings, contributing to a greener environment.

Returning volunteer alumnus Shingo Tsang (Economics and Finance, Class of 2010) noted that the team’s service has been diverse: after visiting residents in transitional housing previously, this time they focused on tree planting—an activity that directly enhances environmental greening. He recalled that reaching the planting site required more than an hour’s hike along a mountain trail. During rest stops, HKSYU volunteers and other organisations encouraged one another, fostering a spirit of mutual support. Tsang remembered repeated words of motivation—“30 minutes more… another 30 minutes more”—even when the destination still seemed far away.

First-time participant alumnus Lo Wing-hung (Economics and Finance, Class of 2010) shared that he had mainly volunteered in India and Southeast Asia, enjoying different lives and communities. Invited by his classmate Tsang, he decided to join—“if you haven’t tried it, you can give it a go.” Lo suggested that to attract more alumni, the team could strengthen promotion through booths or take part in other large-scale events, enabling alumni from different fields to connect and learn about its development.

Also joining for the first time, alumnus Ng Tsz-lun (Business Administration, Class of 2010) participated with his wife, a Chinese Language and Literature alumna who graduated five cohorts later. He said he seldom returned to campus after graduation, making this reunion with fellow alumni particularly meaningful. The longer-than-expected hike became a valuable team-building experience, as everyone supported one another to reach the planting area and strengthen connections. Ng added that since the volunteer team is newly established, expanding the network will inevitably rely on collective effort and word-of-mouth. He suggested exploring more themed and diversified activities to encourage alumni from different circles to return together, and proposed closer engagement with mainland graduates, such as establishing a Greater Bay Area chapter, to further broaden Shue Yan’s alumni network.

Alumna Yuen Tsz-man (Journalism and Communication, Class of 2007), another first-time participant, said tree planting allowed her to support environmental protection while making good use of the weekend to exercise. She thanked the Shue Yan team for their support, which helped participants complete a nearly two-hour round-trip hike. Along the way, they shared professional experiences and met new alumni, creating an uplifting atmosphere. She also valued the opportunity to join a large-scale volunteer event with the university team, learning how major community initiatives are organised and broadening her horizons.

Hong Kong Tree Planting Day drew nearly 2,000 participants, including PLA personnel, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, political and business groups, Disciplined Services, youth organisations and secondary school representatives. In his speech, Chief Secretary for Administration and HKSYU alumnus Eric Chan Kwok-ki expressed special thanks to all volunteers for their strong support and selfless dedication. He emphasised that leading Hong Kong towards green development requires not only government policies but also concerted efforts across society to spread messages of greening and environmental protection to every corner of the city, building a greener and more thriving home.