Media

The “SES x HKU Cares Social Innovation Challenge 2025,” jointly organised by the Communications and Public Affairs Office at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and non-profit platform Social Enterprise Summit, concluded on 12 April  at the HKU Centennial Campus. The event featured a workshop and a student presentation competition, attracting nearly 50 participants, including HKU members, community stakeholders, and members of the public.

Launched from March to April this year, the "HKU Cares Social Innovation Challenge 2025” initiative aimed to encourage students to address issues of ageing and inclusive community development through cross-sector collaboration and innovative thinking.

The workshop on 12 April focused on the theme “Cross-Sector Collaboration for Community Health: Alleviating Elderly Loneliness,” featuring insights from distinguished guests from the Central and Western District, Make A Difference Institute, and Caritas Mok Cheung Sui Kan Community Centre. The event also included a group discussion session, allowing participants to exchange ideas and explore innovative solutions together.

A student presentation competition was also held on the same day. The presentations were assessed based on four criteria - relevance and innovation, potential impact, feasibility and presentation, with three outstanding teams selected from six finalists. The winning proposals focused on promoting inclusive community development, preparation for an ageing society, and leveraging AI for smart city development. The winners are:

First Prize: WeSoSweet – Barrier-Free, Smart Food-ordering Kiosk
Team Members: CHAU Yat Tung Easton (Year 3, Bachelor of Science in Information Management), TENG Rui Tenny (Year 1, Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies), WU Zheng Wilson (Year 1, Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies)
Proposal: Design an accessible food-ordering kiosk based on the principles of universal accessibility and utilising AI technologies, catering to the special needs of people with disabilities and enhancing community inclusivity.

Second Prize: GoldenAges “Never Stop Exploring”
Team Members: CHEUNG Ho Yan Yannes (Year 4, Bachelor of Arts), FONG Kwai Yi Grace (Year 4, Bachelor of Economics and Finance)
Proposal: Offer “Pre-Retirement” training to prepare individuals for retirement, providing skills and job seeking platform, and establishing a supportive community for retirees with shared interests for a more fulfilling life.

Third Prize: Silver Linings 
Team Members: CO Cheuk Wai Thomas (Year 4, Bachelor of Nursing), KWOK Hoi Ching Fiona (Year 2, Bachelor of Nursing Advanced Leadership Track), LIU Xinyao (Year 4, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
Proposal: Develop an AI-guided End-Of-Care application to facilitate discussions on advanced care planning. Utilising narrative therapy and reflection techniques to provide emotional support for elderly individuals and their families through the ageing journey. The judging panel commended the students for demonstrating a deep understanding of social issues and reflecting the younger generation's sense of social responsibility and knowledge of AI.

One of the panel members, Mrs Rebecca Choy Yung, Founder and Chair of the Golden Age Foundation, remarked that the students’ proposals demonstrated their keen awareness of ageing issues and AI technology, while presenting innovative and practical solutions. Another member, Ms Alvina Chau, Executive Director of the Hong Kong PHAB Association, praised the teams for their understanding of social needs related to inclusiveness with PWDs, expressing hope in bringing their ideation further. Professor Sunnie SY Lau, Adjunct Associate Professor at CUHK School of Architecture, commended the teams for comprehensive proposals developing a business model, noting their fresh perspectives for social innovation.

The “HKU Cares Social Innovation Challenge 2025” not only provided students with a platform to address social needs, but also fostered cross-sector collaboration and strengthened community engagement. The organiser, “HKU Cares”, expressed its aspiration to continue serving as a platform that encourages more HKU members to actively engage with the community and create positive societal impact.

About Social Enterprise Summit x HKU Cares Social Innovation Challenge 2025
HKU Cares, established in 2023-24 with the mission to “Connect, Inspire, and Empower,” is dedicated to fostering connections between HKU members and the community in the development of the Pokfield Campus. At the start of the Social Innovation Challenge 2025, students participated in a cross-sector workshop on 15 March, gaining insights into smart city, elderly well-being and social innovation through thematic sharing and group discussions. This was followed by a “Community Exploration @ Southern District” activity on 22 March, where students visited non-profit organisations in the Southern District, including Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association and the Hong Kong PHAB Association, to gain first-hand understanding of the physical and mental needs of the elderly and promoting inclusiveness with persons with disabilities. These preparatory activities provided students with valuable community insights, laying the foundation for their innovative proposals.

For details, please visit: https://tab.so/hkucaresSIC.
For media enquiries, please contact: [email protected].