Hong Kong Shue Yan University and Tung Wah College Jointly Develop the “National and Values Education Online Learning Platform” to Cultivate Students’ Positive Values and Implement National Security Education

Supported by the Quality Enhancement Support Scheme (QESS) under the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund of the Education Bureau since July 2022, Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) and Tung Wah College (TWC) joined hands to develop a National and Values Education (NAVE) Online Learning Platform, designed to cultivate students’ positive values and attitudes to be law-abiding citizens, to raise students’ identification with our country and its culture, and to implement national security education. The platform, which has been launched since early 2024, is the first of its kind in Hong Kong to provide tertiary students with a national and values education programme through interactive online games.

The objective of the course is to raise tertiary students’ awareness of the country and its culture, to establish positive values and attitudes, and to cultivate the spirit of commitment in society and awareness of safeguarding national security. The online course will cover five domains related to civic and national security education, namely “environmental, cultural and heritage conservation”, “social responsibility”, “national education”, “ethics and integrity”, and “intrapersonal and interpersonal harmony”. The course content was developed by academics from both institutions who have expertise in their respective domains. The platform is designed to incorporate gaming and interactive elements to enhance students’ participation in self-learning for optimal learning outcomes.

Prof. Catherine Tien-Lun Sun, Senior Vice President of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, said, “National security is the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. In addition to the development of the online learning platform and the provision of a compulsory national and values education curriculum, Hong Kong Shue Yan University is actively engaging and supporting various initiatives. These activities include a publicity campaign for the Constitution and the Basic Law, “Be an upright citizen” and an exhibition on the Basic Law and the National Security Law of Hong Kong for tertiary students. The university is dedicated to enhancing students’ awareness of national security and fostering a holistic approach to national security.”

Prof. Sally Chan, President of Tung Wah College, noted, “National Security Education is an important component of national education, and it is the responsibility of all educational institutions to promote national security through education. In collaboration with HKSYU, we aim to enhance students’ awareness of national security and cultivate them into law-abiding and responsible citizens through the development of an online learning platform. In addition to integrating national security education elements into general education courses, TWC provides students with diverse learning opportunities, including mainland exchange programmes, Basic Law Campaign, and participation in the Hangzhou Asian Games. These initiatives foster a deeper understanding of the country’s history, culture, constitutional order, and the latest advancements in various fields. This comprehensive approach helps students to gain a better understanding of national affairs and strengthens their sense of national identity.”

The project team has developed multimedia learning content for each domain, including the use of videos and animations on the online learning platform. HKSYU has provided the course to all undergraduate and postgraduate students since January 2024. TWC has also piloted the platform on campus in this March and plans to officially launch the programme to all students within the year. Students from both institutions will be required to complete 15 hours of study and achieve a passing grade in the assessment to meet the graduation requirements.

According to the feedback from the initial group of students using this platform, multimedia learning content in the online learning platform has presented the concepts and knowledge in a clear and engaging manner. Real-life examples have been used to illustrate various concepts, allowing them to have a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This course has effectively helped the students grasp the modern development of the country, the legal system, and the historical factors driving the One Country Two System.

The courses on the National and Values Education Online Learning Platform will be continuously updated. In the next phase, more interactive and gamified learning modules will be included in the platform to enhance students’ engagement in the learning process. The relevant teaching materials will be available for free to other educational bodies, and the online platform will also be open to other tertiary institutions after its full launch.