CityUHK veterinary students promote animal welfare through community engagement

SUNNY LIU

28 Jul 2025

Gordon (2nd from right) shares his reflections on participating in the AWP during the Commercial Radio Hong Kong’s show "The Way We Are".

City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) is committed to fostering close ties between academia and the community, encouraging students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and give back to society.

Thirty Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) students from the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences (JCC) at CityUHK participated in the Animal Watchers Programme (AWP), organised by the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). Through this initiative, the students leveraged their professional expertise to promote animal welfare and exemplify the spirit of community service.

The AWP brings together various sectors of society to promote animal welfare education in schools. By helping kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools establish Animal CARE Corners, the initiative aims to cultivate respect for life and a caring attitude toward animals from an early age. As the only higher-education institution in Hong Kong offering a BVM programme, CityUHK strongly supports this initiative by contributing its professional expertise. The thirty participating students have taken on the role of AWP Student Mentors, regularly visiting schools to guide students in managing campus animal facilities, sharing best practices in animal care, and nurturing a deeper awareness of animal welfare among students.

Gordon (1st from right) reflects on the meaningful experience of applying academic learning to make a difference in the community.

Earlier, the Commercial Radio Hong Kong’s programme "The Way We Are" featured a special interview with Gordon Leung Ka-hei, a second-year BVM student taking part in the initiative. Joining him were representatives from the HKPF and Hong Kong Sea School. They shared personal insights and reflections on their experiences, as well as the positive impact of their involvement in the AWP.

During the interview, Gordon shared a particularly memorable experience during one of his guidance visits. He noticed that a campus hamster was showing signs of selective eating, which could lead to a nutritional imbalance. Thus, he recommended transitioning to a mixed pellet feed to improve the hamster’s dietary habits and ensure it received balanced nutrition. He reflected on how rewarding and meaningful it was to apply his classroom knowledge in real-world settings to serve the community.

CityUHK’s JCC offers Hong Kong's first and only BVM programme. The six-year course stands out as Asia’s sole veterinary programme with dual accreditation from both the prestigious Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in the UK and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC). CityUHK remains committed to actively encouraging students to participate in diverse community service initiatives, enabling them to apply their professional knowledge beyond the classroom and make meaningful contributions to society.