The Joint University Mental Wellness Project (JUMP), led by Professor Sylvia KWOK LAI Yuk-ching of City University of Hong Kong’s (CityU) Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, has been awarded the Second Class Prize of the 2022 National Teaching Achievement Award for Higher Education (Undergraduate) by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (MoE). It is the most prestigious national award in the field of higher education research and teaching.

Of the 500 projects awarded the Second Class Prize, JUMP is one of only two in Hong Kong to receive this recognition. This achievement is a testament to the impact and quality of JUMP’s initiatives in promoting mental wellness and social responsibility among university students.

JUMP is an inter-institutional project involving CityU, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, and The University of Hong Kong. It is a comprehensive programme designed to promote students’ well-being and exposure to university life by fostering positive learning experiences and developing a keen sense of responsibility and social commitment.

The project offers workshops, camps, study tours, festivals, staff training, and community projects to promote well-being and positive learning experiences. Its pedagogical framework combines positive education and transformational learning, creating an inspiring and positive atmosphere in the university and community through student-led projects. Over 1,100 staff and professionals, around 4,000 university students, and 1,500 community members have benefited from the programme. This project also received the prestigious 2021 University Grants Committee Teaching Award (Teams).

MoE’s quadrennial award aims to reward collective and individual achievements in teaching, encourage educators to engage in research on education and teaching and improve the standard and quality of education.