Promoting Wellbeing and Whole Person Development: Leadership and Intrapersonal Development Curriculum at PolyU
Poster Presentation Time: 1500-1600; 1700-1800
Venue: B3, Tai Po-Shek-O Room, Lower Level I
Team member(s)
– Dr Xiang LI, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic
– Dr Xiaoqin ZHU, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic
– Dr Diya DOU, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Social Science, The Hong Kong Polytechnic
Abstract
Higher education programs often focus on disciplinary knowledge and professional skills, with cognitive skills given top priority. As a timely response to limited education for wellbeing and non-cognitive skills development, PolyU’s Leadership and Intra-personal Development Team developed four subjects, including Tomorrow’s Leaders, Promotion of Children and Adolescent Development, Service Leadership, and Service Leadership through Serving Children and Families with Special Needs to nurture students’ leadership, improve their wellbeing, and promote their whole person development. These subjects aim to nurture students to become ethical leaders of tomorrow and responsible citizens by adopting a holistic youth development approach based on cutting-edge theories and research on late adolescence and emerging adulthood, leadership development, and service-learning. To date, over 27,000 students have taken the four subjects. Different evaluation methods involving multiple stakeholders over time have demonstrated positive and significant impact of the four subjects on students’ wellbeing and holistic development. Positive feedback from students and recognition from the higher education community have contributed to these subjects receiving numerous prestigious awards, both internationally and locally. These include the UGC Teaching Award 2018 and the Gold Award in the Nurturing Wellbeing & Purpose category at the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards 2021.