LU takes extra efforts to look after students and safeguard their wellbeing

The number of Omicron cases increased dramatically in Hong Kong in early March, and Lingnan University has made tremendous efforts and taken extra measures to protect the University community.

All staff are working round the clock catering to students’ needs, and offering the immediate disinfection of areas affected, psychological counselling services and advice, and Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits to anyone who has been in contact with infected persons to minimise the risk of spreading the virus.

At its hostels on Tuen Mun campus housing thousands of local and international students, special arrangements have been carried out, including the allocation of special areas for preliminary and confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as emotional support from counsellors, medical advice from the Chinese Medicine Clinic, and the provision of temporary storage space.

Unlike most universities in Hong Kong, Lingnan allows student residents to decide whether to stay or to leave the hostel during the Omicron outbreak. “We encourage our students to stay on campus. We consider it safe enough because 80% to 85% of our students have had two jabs already,” Prof Joshua Ka-ho Mok, Vice-President of Lingnan University, told University World News in an interview.

He added that Lingnan has a large number of students from Mainland China. “With the recent rise in local infections, some of them may choose to go back to the Mainland, but our hostel occupancy was 90% to 93% this week,” said Prof Mok on 15 February as the university switched to hybrid learning, with lecturers teaching in-person on campus.

In early March, the University has obtained a generous donation of RAT kits and was able to give each full-time staff member and students residing on campus.  The Lingnan Chaplain’s Office also distributed Blessing Packs, which contain RAT kit and a variety of snacks, to all hostel students testing positive for COVID-19.

“We hope that the Blessing Packs will cheer them up and show our care, in particular in these difficult times,” says Prof Donghui Li, Associate Vice President (Student Affairs).   The Wellness Team of OSA also launched a website namely “Wellness Hotspot” for students, in which some physical and mental health tips are provided for students to maintain their physical and mental health.

Resident students expressed their gratitude to the University on social media and below are some examples.

Media Report

• Ming Pao Daily News(Chinese only)
• Ming Pao Education(Chinese only)