Rooted for three decades, sowing seeds of talent: Lingnan University unites the Tuen Mun community
Ms Irene Ng Wai-ming, Director of Student Affairs at Lingnan University (middle), takes a group photo with three student volunteers: Ng Wai-ching (2024-25 "Project X") (top left), Chong Tsz-huen (2024-25 "A Day at University") (bottom left), and Cao Jiaxi (2024-25 and 2025-26 "Project X") (right).
"Seeds must be planted early if we are to witness them bloom." Rooted in Tuen Mun for 30 years, Lingnan University has steadfastly upheld its motto "Education for Service" sparing no effort in driving community integration. Notably, "Project X", an initiative helping at-risk youths get back on track, has been running for 25 years, whilst the "Strive for Success" Tuen Mun District Primary School Student Award Scheme - ''A Day at University" experiential event has reached its 12th edition.
Ms Irene Ng Wai-ming, Director of Student Affairs at Lingnan, notes that Lingnan has consistently nurtured students through diverse initiatives to connect with all walks of life in Tuen Mun with a spirit of care and innovation. Through the aforementioned two programmes, the University has to date trained over 400 volunteers, successfully helped 400 at-risk youths, and inspired 1,350 primary school students.
'Project X': Impacting lives and guiding at-risk youths back on track
Among Lingnan's numerous community initiatives, "Project X" is arguably the most important. Launched in 1997, it assists young people under 18 in the Tuen Mun district who face developmental challenges or have behavioural issues. Initially, the scheme was jointly spearheaded by the District Fight Crime Committee (Tuen Mun District), the Tuen Mun District Police, the Tuen Mun District Office, Lingnan University, and NGOs such as the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups. In recent years, Hong Kong Chu Hai College has also joined the initiative. Partner organisations include various local youth groups, the Education Bureau, and the Social Welfare Department.
Group photo at the Volunteer Inauguration Ceremony of the 23rd "Project X".
The 25th "Project X" student volunteers and youths take part in an adventure-based activity. (To protect the privacy of participants, some faces have been obscured.)
After training, Lingnan student volunteers build peer-mentoring relationships, providing care and guidance, and serving as positive role models, although everyone achieves mutual growth through genuine interaction.
This essential dynamic of "life influencing life" moved student volunteer Cao Jiaxi (Data Science, Year 2) deeply, and he recalls "During our first meeting, the kids hesitated to trust us. However, after various hands-on activities, they gradually opened up and shared their life stories. That trust is incredibly precious, and building this mutual trust not only improved my communication skills but also my personal growth. That is exactly why I have taken part in ‘Project X’ for two consecutive years."
Fellow volunteer Ng Wai-ching (Cultural Studies, Year 2) is glad she took that brave first step: "If you want to be a volunteer, just be bold and sign up! I had no prior experience either, but a passionate heart is all you need. This volunteering experience has inspired me and made me resolve to continue serving society. I am now a peer counselling volunteer at The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK), and hope to help even more people in need."
Each year, over 150 primary school students and teachers from Tuen Mun District visit Lingnan for the "A Day at University" experiential event.
'A Day at University': Inspiring dreams from a young age
Beyond guiding at-risk youths, Lingnan is committed to sowing the seeds of dreams for the next generation. The "A Day at University" experiential event is part of the "Strive for Success" programme in the Tuen Mun District Primary Students Award Scheme, hosted by the Tuen Mun District Office and the Tuen Mun District Youth Development and Civic Education Committee, and co-organised by Lingnan University.
This year, 15 primary schools in Tuen Mun participated enthusiastically, and about 150 of their students, guided by some 20 Lingnan student volunteers, took part in a series of enriching campus activities, including biodiversity and insect exploration, environmental studies of food waste, and campus tours. These are how Lingnan hopes to give primary students an early taste of university life, inspiring them to set life goals from a young age whilst strengthening the University's ties with local schools.
The event benefits the community whilst providing a valuable training ground for students. Chong Tsz-huen (BBA - Marketing and Social Media, Year 1), an emcee and volunteer last year, explained "This was my first time emceeing in front of over a hundred people. It not only sharpened my communication skills but also taught me empathy. The hardest part of any task is often going from zero to one, but as long as you dare to step out of your comfort zone, you can overcome the challenge and learn to recognise your own efforts."
Furthermore, the Office of Student Affairs actively supports the “Strive for Success” Tuen Mun District Youth Self-enhancement Training Programme and Award Scheme. This year, Lingnan University will continue to offer summer internship opportunities at the Office of Student Affairs for local youths, fulfilling its mission of nurturing talent.
Walking hand in hand with the community
Reflecting on three decades of dedicated community work, Ms Irene Ng Wai-ming, Director of Student Affairs at Lingnan, said "We hope to fulfil the University's role of serving society and walking alongside the public. Our goal is to weave Tuen Mun into a cohesive community, establishing a tight-knit, highly responsive mutual support network."
Upholding this conviction, Lingnan University will continue to engage with all segments of the Tuen Mun community. In addition to the aforementioned activities, the University rolls out numerous community service initiatives through the Office of Student Affairs. These include caring projects such as the “Embracing Ageing: The Project on Community Support for Seniors”, which provides assistance to the elderly in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, and Tin Shui Wai, with the hope of eventually expanding the service scope across Hong Kong. Irene hopes that these carefully sown seeds will not only take root in Tuen Mun but eventually bloom brilliantly across the wider society.
Lingnan student volunteers and youth in the locality under "Project X" join elderly residents from Tuen Mun at the Yan Oi Tong Community Centre for an inclusive arts and crafts session, promoting intergenerational bonding. (To protect the privacy of participants, some faces have been obscured.)
