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HKU Graduate School held the first Postgraduate Student Ambassadors Inauguration Ceremony on November 21, 2023 to celebrate the launch of the Postgraduate Student Ambassador Programme. Over 100 wellness and publicity ambassadors from across departments have been appointed for the 2023/24 academic year. Wellness ambassadors will play a vital role in promoting the University’s wellness initiatives and also serve as a contact point for their peers who need assistance on wellness issues, while publicity ambassadors will be entrusted with the responsibility of promoting and being the ‘face’ of research postgraduate (RPg) programmes. Professor Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Dean of the Graduate School, expressed appreciation to all student ambassadors for their dedication and commitment to serving their peers and the University. “Embrace the opportunity to inspire and empower others,” he added.

To raise students’ awareness towards the importance of mental wellbeing, Mr Ho Chung Wai, Tom, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Health Promotion Branch, Department of Health, introduced services provided by Shall We Talk, a mental health promotion and public education initiative launched by the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, and offered students practical strategies on striking a balance between academic studies and personal life.  Students were further inspired by the sharing from Professor Samson Tse, Dean of Student Affairs, on his unique definition of ‘PhD’: “P for Positive, H for Health, D for Development”, he said, highlighting the need for ‘Positive Health Development’ to students.

HKU Graduate School has launched the ‘Future-Ready Series’ in the 2023/24 academic year to promote all-round development to help cultivate future-ready talents. In addition to academic and soft skills workshops for professional development, the promotion of mental wellness is a major highlight of the initiative. During the Inauguration Ceremony, the Graduate School expressed gratitude to partnering units across the University, including CEDARS, the Centre on Behavioral Health, the HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, JC PandA, and Wellness@HKU, and also external bodies Shall We Talk, OkayMinds, and Heartline Hong Kong for their invaluable support towards the ‘Future-Ready Series: RPg Wellness Initiative’. Professor Cecilia Cheng, Associate Dean (Personal Development) of the Graduate School, emphasised that education should transcend mere knowledge acquisition, fostering the holistic development of students. Universities should play a crucial role in creating a supportive learning environment for enhancing students’ wellbeing, empowering students to thrive in all aspects of life and preparing them for a successful and fulfilling journey ahead. 

For further information about the ‘Future-Ready Series: Research Postgraduate Wellness Initiative’, please visit https://gradsch.hku.hk/current_students/mental_wellness/wellness-initiatives.  

Professor Max Shen, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Dean of the Graduate School, welcoming participants to the Inauguration Ceremony.
 

Mr Ho Chung Wai, Tom, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Health Promotion Branch, Department of Health. 
 

Professor Samson Tse, Dean of Student Affairs. 
 

Professor Max Shen (sixth from right, back row) and Professor Cecilia Cheng (fifth from right, back row) appointing postgraduate student ambassadors. 
 

Postgraduate student ambassadors. 
 

Representatives from HKU Graduate School and partnering units of the ‘Future-Ready Series: RPg Wellness Initiative’. 
 

Postgraduate student ambassadors.