Student Translator: Ms Lee Pui Yee Ruby (ENGE/3)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) is a popular cultural concept worldwide. In recent years, Hong Kong has witnessed many initiatives that actively implement DE&I practices in education and the workplace. Living in university hostels, it has become the norm to interact with people from different geographical and cultural backgrounds. How can inclusion be fostered in places that bring together diverse cultures? This is a key topic that Dr Leung Tak Wah, Warden of Bethlehem Hall, and Professor Vivian W Y Lee, Warden of Chan Chun Ha Hostel, are committed to exploring.

It is often said that a university is a microcosm of society. Professor Lee pointed out that it is critical for students to realise the importance of diversity and inclusion at an early stage. ‘We need to create an environment within the university where students understand that there are groups of different cultures around them. We should respect and  embrace every individual .’ Dr Leung added that inclusion extends beyond the university setting. ‘From kindergarten onwards, people from diverse backgrounds have entered the Hong Kong education system. Facilitating interactions with individuals of diverse backgrounds is of utmost importance in promoting university development and broadening students’ horizons.’

Inclusion Requires Mutual Efforts

CUHK has recently welcomed an increasing number of students from diverse backgrounds. When walking around the canteens and classrooms, it is common to hear Putonghua, English, or even other languages. As wardens, Professor Lee and Dr Leung have more frequent opportunities to interact with diverse students. Dr Leung, a UC alumnus, acknowledged changes compared to his campus life 20 years ago. ‘When I was an undergraduate, there were few non-local students, and Cantonese was the predominant language. Now, with more and more mainland and international students coming to Hong Kong, I’ve also encountered many who had already learned Cantonese before arriving. Therefore, the integration strategy is no longer the same as in the past – the notion that ‘Hongkongers must use Putonghua to communicate with others’ is outdated. Newcomers can also learn Cantonese and better understand our culture; similarly, we can study foreign languages to facilitate communication.’  

Having studied in Los Angeles, USA for many years, Professor Lee’s experience of living abroad has enabled her to better understand the needs of non-local students in terms of integration. ‘LA is an open place where different races and cultures coexist. Of course, challenges persist – there is no place with flawless diversity and inclusion. But my experience of living in the US has taught me tolerance and empathy. I have a better understanding of the needs of students who come to Hong Kong from different places. That’s why I hope to at least transform the hostel from just  four cold walls into a place where they feel at home.’

For a foreigner to an unfamiliar place, true integration requires the welcoming of the locals. Professor Lee mentioned the significant role UC students play in this regard. ‘The language that students are most familiar with is surely Cantonese, but in recent years, they have been very proactive in seeking help from mainland and international students. For instance, Chan Chun Ha Hostel won second runner-up in a recent football match because a player from the mainland was previously  a provincial team member. He mentioned that he really likes this hostel, having made many friends and feeling accepted. The credit does not belong to me but to the students in my hostel.’

Empowering the Student Voice

As students have taken steps forward, so has the College. United College has established the “Committee on Inclusive Excellence” to gather input from various stakeholders on its policies, programmes, regular practices, and activities. The goal is to promote equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. The Committee involves not only colleagues of different nationalities, but also representatives from the College’s United Club and Mainland Students Association. This allows them to share their views on diversity and inclusion and the College’s policies, while also providing a platform for staff and students to exchange views.

Apart from the Committee,  genuine funding is also one indispensable form of support for promoting diversity and inclusion. Dr Leung used the example of a meal gathering to illustrate how subsidies can support different types of activities. ‘We’ve recently held a “family reunion” event, inviting students from diverse backgrounds to dine together in the hall. Typically, students seldom contact their warden directly, but by hosting activities through the Residential Students’ Association, communication with students from diverse backgrounds becomes more accessible. Otherwise, the students might feel it strange for me to approach them for no apparent reason.’ This practical type of support allows students from diverse backgrounds to participate in activities, which facilitates the realisation of diversity and inclusion.

Professor Vivian W Y Lee, Warden of Chan Chun Ha Hostel, often meets the students with Ronnie.

Professor Lee agreed that there is a significant distance between students and wardens, but she has her own tricks to bridge the gap. ‘Students usually seek help from their warden only when specific problems arise, so I try to create a relaxed environment to interact with them. Every Wednesday, I bring my cat Mason and dog Ronnie to meet with the students. I don’t know who will come each week, but my pets are always home and ready to “be on duty”. I will set aside two hours for them to play together, and it’s a heartwarming sight. Some students may be afraid of animals at the very beginning, but after seeing their peers playing happily, they also become willing to join in the fun. These moments provide an opportunity for students to naturally share their recent academic concerns and internship worries. I don’t even have to be the one asking questions. I will then cheer them on or remind them to reach out to senior schoolmates for advice. Gradually, I’ve become like a mother figure to them. I used to invite students to come chat with me every week through notices, but no one showed up. I never thought of using pets before, but it seems to have worked well. Looking back, it isn’t that students don’t want to communicate, but rather it depends on how you attract them. You need to understand their preferences. If the setting is too formal, they certainly won’t come to you.’

Professor Lee’s ‘pet therapy’ has also inspired Dr Leung. ‘I am now training a dog that is not scared of human contact, and I take it for walks around regularly.   Many UC members have already petted it. Rather than creating a formal setting for communication, it works better to incorporate it into students’ daily lives and use a relaxing approach. The power of pets is stronger than we imagine – a conversation can begin as simply as asking what the dog’s name is. Or just petting the dog can bring happiness to students.’

Diversity Goes Beyond Just Ethnicity 

‘D&I’ is a critical issue within the educational environment. The purpose is to ensure that every student receives equal opportunities and support. In universities, the significance of D&I is more about integrating students with special educational needs into mainstream education. These special educational needs may include physical disabilities or mental health issues, and these students require additional support and accommodations to achieve their learning goals. D&I is not just a simple task but a continuous effort to care for and respond to the diverse needs of different student groups.

Professor Lee pointed out one of the goals, which is to address the needs of transgender students. ‘We have admitted transgender students before, but there remains room for improvement. If we can reserve certain rooms to accommodate specific groups of students in our planning, we can better cater to their needs. For example, we now use the term “barrier-free restrooms”, but why use this name? Perhaps calling them “gender-friendly restrooms” would be more appropriate, without labelling them. This practice is already common in other countries and should be considered within the university setting as well. But in Hong Kong, we may need to consider more. When it comes to D&I, it isn’t just about racial or regional differences, but also the needs of different groups of students like transgender students. I hope Chan Chun Ha Hostel can make some changes to better support the diverse needs of students.’

Dr Leung Tak Wah, Warden of Bethlehem Hall, hopes to organise more activities to promote D&I.

Dr Leung hopes to regularise the existing D&I activities. ‘Hopefully, more hostels can incorporate D&I elements when organising activities. For example, last year when Bethlehem Hall held the Bethlehem Hall Annual Dinner, and by applying for the College’s D&I funding, we invited students from diverse backgrounds to join. The Residential Students’ Association also actively invited non-local students through publicity and other sessions, so in the end, there were diverse groups of students attending the dinner. I hope these kinds of inclusive activities can become  routinised.’

Another goal for Dr Leung is to  “unite” the various colleges and hostels to organize activities. ‘I hope to collaborate with other hostels when organising activities. Targeting only one single hostel would limit the number of participants. But if we welcome participants from other hostels a, a healthier atmosphere can be cultivated, whether it’s promoting  D&I or hostel activities. Therefore, if there’s a chance, Bethlehem Hall should actively participate in Chan Chun-ha Hostel’s 20^th Anniversary activities. If we can establish this culture, it’d be a great thing for the hostel life culture of sUC . It would no longer be just one hostel’ activity but a harmonious event involving all four hostels, and even students from non-residential halls. This is a direction I hope to realise.’