Providing young students with opportunities to learn outside the classroom

This morning, I attended the opening ceremony of the annual congress of the World Green Building Council. I was glad to learn that the organiser had asked more than 10 students from various local tertiary institutions to help out at the venue.

The main purpose of having students as helpers in such large-scale activities is to provide them with opportunities to broaden their horizons, learn about the wider society and expand their social network.

Over the past few years, whenever the opportunity arose, I invited students to participate in activities held at Government House and to go on visits together with me to the Mainland and other countries, including attending this year's Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference and going to Boston in the United States. I see positive results out of these visits. I therefore keep appealing to professional bodies, chambers of commerce and enterprises of all scales to provide more such opportunities for our students. For example, professional bodies and chambers of commerce may consider reserving some places for our university and senior secondary students when organising luncheon speech events, annual dinners, talks, overseas visits and other activities.

Wider exposure and positive experiences can strengthen one's confidence. Grass-roots students, in particular, need the community to create these opportunities for them.

October 29, 2015