Students from the School of Graduate Studies at Lingnan University Volunteer to Promote Digital Inclusion for Community Seniors

To promote digital technology and enhance digital inclusion among the elderly, the School of Graduate Studies (GS) at Lingnan University supported a community event organised by the Social Welfare Department of Tsuen Wan & Kwai Tsing District held on 7 November 2025. A group of student volunteers from GS participated in a smartphone workshop, assisting elderly residents in understanding smartphone functions and categories, as well as learning about the HKSAR Government’s “Digital Accessibility” initiatives.

The event recruited over 20 students from our three health-related master’s programmes — Master of Social Sciences in Health and Social Services Management (MHSM), Master of Science in Health Analytics and Management (HAM), and Master of Science in Smart Ageing and Gerontology (SAG) — including several students from Africa, who volunteered to help the elderly learn smart technology. Below are some reflections from participating students:

Peter Achem Shaibu, from the HAM programme, shared that he had learned the digital accessibility skills in class previously, and at this activity, he could put those into practice: “The trainers at this workshop delivered clear and easy-to-understand explanations in Cantonese, complemented by large-print visual aids illustrating basic operations. What impressed me most was the interactive session afterwards, where the elderly not only learned basic functions but also important safety habits such as avoiding suspicious links and protecting personal data. This workshop boosted their confidence and fostered meaningful connections. It also gave us students a deep sense of accomplishment. Such initiatives are crucial for Hong Kong’s ageing society to ensure no one is left behind in the smart city journey. Let us continue to support our elders hand in hand!” He also mentioned that the event was a memorable day filled with warmth and care, thanks to the supportive presence of instructors and classmates.

Eric Opoku, also from the HAM programme, expressed that the event reflected a spirit of care for the elderly: “As an international student from Africa, I felt honoured and gained a lot by participating in the outreach to help elderly residents in Tsuen Wan use smartphones more effectively. The elderly learned about various payment applications and gained confidence in staying connected with their families in this digital age. Most importantly, I sincerely thank the organisers for providing such a meaningful programme that enables us to care for the elderly amid the era of technology and generative artificial intelligence.”

Ayomide Naomi Omosebi, from the SAG programme, observed how digital technology addresses the needs of Hong Kong’s elderly: “I had the privilege to meet many senior citizens—some came as couples, some with friends, and others alone who made new friends during the event. I admired their punctuality and eagerness to learn, and volunteers were enthusiastic and helpful. Language barriers were minimal as I was paired with a volunteer fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. The workshop was informative; many elderly learned to use Wi-Fi for the first time and mastered various online payment and communication platforms, even recognising them by their logos. Their smiles warmed my heart, and I believe the programme effectively alleviated their loneliness.”

Dr Chloe Siu, Senior Lecturer at the School of Graduate Studies and Institute of Policy Studies at Lingnan University, who led the student engagement, encouraged international students not to be deterred by language barriers when participating in volunteer service. She advocated for students to actively immerse themselves in the community, empathise deeply with the real needs of the elderly, and further serve the community through ongoing research projects. Dr Siu was pleased to see the rich gains made by the students, noting that through direct interaction with local elders, they not only gained a profound understanding of the elderly’s needs but also applied their knowledge in practice and gained insights into how ageing technology and smart digital innovations across different regions address diverse community needs.