Apart from attending admission talks or obtaining information from career teachers, what else can offer secondary students a glimpse of university education? Pairing them with current undergraduate students as their buddies could be a good way. That is what CityU’s brand new BOLD Buddy Scheme is for.

The Scheme is set up along the mission of BOLD@CityU to raise secondary school students’ aspirations in planning their pathways for the future. It aims to build rapport and connections between CityU and secondary school students, provide meaningful social and academic learning experiences for both CityU and secondary school students, and give secondary school students the opportunity to have a more all-rounded understanding of university life and education. It will develop a mentor-mentee relationship between CityU students and secondary school students to join competitions or events, enjoy social gatherings, share university life and experience, and discuss university education.

An opening ceremony was held on 30 October 2021 to mark the launch of this meaningful initiative. In his opening remarks, CityU President Professor Way KUO inspired students to get their minds beyond boundaries and act with sincerity. He assured students that CityU would provide an excellent environment for students to mingle with different people and learn from world-class faculty. Associate Provost (Academic Affairs) Professor Julie Li then introduced the key features of the HK TECH Tiger Programme launched by CityU to nurture talented students and help them excel. 

Among the very first buddy teams, four are from CLASS’ Department of Chinese and History (CAH), Department of Media and Communication (COM), Department of Linguistics and Translation (LT), and Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences (SS). Sixteen secondary 4 to 5 students were recruited as mentees and were assigned to the eight mentors from the four departments according to their academic interests. In his remarks, Dean of CLASS Professor Richard M Walker thanked staff members for their support to the Scheme and encouraged the buddy teams to participate in various events organised by CLASS AUs throughout the year to learn more about the array of learning opportunities provided by CLASS for students. A short mingling period was also arranged for the mentors and mentees to interact and chat.

Following the opening ceremony, Dr Anna HUI of SS delivered the first BOLD lecture themed “Lifespan creativity: The 5 Wh’s”, which enlightened the students on what creativity involved and how to be creative. 

After the lecture, the mentors showed the mentees around the campus. Some teams visited the library and other campus landmarks, and a team was introduced to COM’s advanced facilities at its Omnimedia Digital Newsroom, 3D Virtual TV Studio, Advertising Design and Shooting Studio, and Digital Audio Recording Room. 

The inauguration of the Scheme ended with the eye-opening facility tour, but an array of activities is awaiting the buddy teams to join. It is hoped that both the mentees and mentors can benefit from the Scheme and understand university education from fresh perspectives. 

Cover: Dean of CLASS Professor Richard M Walker, Heads of the mentors’ home departments, mentors and mentees of CLASS took a photo with the University management at the opening ceremony.