Our Project

Developed by a team of educators and students, our project offers knowledge and practical experiences that integrate the values of kindness, empathy and caring commitment to self and others into teaching and learning. The initiative empowers students to explore how the principles of compassion can be applied in the learning environment and in other aspects of life.

The Stories Behind Our Project

Mandy was shocked to get an unexpected grade for a written assignment that she has devoted much time and efforts for it. Feeling disappointed and distressed, she asked the teacher why her work was not given a higher grade. When meeting the teacher, Mandy cried in pain and said,

I have put ample efforts in it. Why am I not as excellent as my peers? I’m such a failure.

Simon has always been the top student in high school. However, after entering the university, he has found that his peers are much smarter and brighter than him. He feels inferior and becomes reserved in classes and in group projects.

My ideas are no good. Maybe it’s better to keep silent.

Scenarios like these where students face the daunting pressure of academic excellence, feeling overwhelmed and, at times, labelling themselves as “failures” amidst struggles with coursework, group projects, exams, and the competitive environment are not uncommon in higher education.
Whilst competitiveness could be useful at some degrees, students who feel themselves failed could become stressed, self-critical, anxious, depressed and mentally unwell1.
In Hong Kong, more than one-third of undergraduate students have reported symptoms of anxiety and depression2.
We believe that mental wellbeing is a collective responsibility rather than solely the responsibilities of professional and support services, and is core to the curriculum3.
Embedding compassion-based initiatives in curriculum, the project innovates experiential learning pedagogy to enhance students’ mental  wellbeing and positive social experience in their academic life.
Group 13

Our Vision

To cultivate a compassionate and supportive environment that enriches the holistic development of both students and educators.

Our Goals

To develop students’ mindset and knowledge about compassion motive, and skills in compassionate communications through experiential learning.

To engage students to build a supportive learning environment that is conductive to their mental and social wellbeing.

To partner with students and co-develop compassion-based teaching and learning resources for sustainable use.

 

To support teachers’ use of compassion-based pedagogy in teaching and learning.