CityUHK Experiential Camp offers early taste of university life
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) welcomed a hundred F.5 to F.6 students from over 30 secondary schools at the CityUHK Experiential Camp 2025 from 23–24 July 2025. The two-day, one-night residential programme was designed to introduce senior students to the academic environment and campus life at CityUHK, with participants staying overnight in the newly opened Student Residence at Whitehead, Ma On Shan.
Following the positive feedback and overwhelming interest in the first, CityUHK Experiential Camp launched in 2024, the scale of the camp was expanded this year to benefit more senior students who are preparing for their university entrance examinations. Survey results showed that 95.8% of participants rated the camp positively, reflecting consistently strong recognition of the programme.
At the opening ceremony, Professor Chan Chi-hou, Vice-President (Community Engagement), highlighted the diversity and inclusiveness of the university community. “You come from different schools and backgrounds. Just like in university, you will meet peers from around the world,” said Prof Chan. “This camp gives you a great opportunity to experience multicultural and inclusive environment at CityUHK, the world’s most international university.” Professor Chan also commended and thanked the CityUHK students who took on both leadership and supporting roles during the camp, fostering valuable exchange between current and prospective students. Professor Steve Wong Hang, Associate Vice-President (Community Engagement), shared encouraging remarks at the closing ceremony and took part in leading a workshop on antenna design, inspiring students to explore new ideas and gain hands-on experience.
Participants joined engaging workshops across diverse disciplines, including STEAM-themed sessions on cosmetic chemistry, antenna design, rechargeable battery science, and art-tech. They also participated in a personal development workshop led by Dr Larry Ng and Miss Chung Po Yi, featuring personality assessments to enhance self-understanding and future planning. In a taster programme led by Professor Yan Xiu from the Department of Linguistics, students gained insights into AI-assisted translation with live demonstrations showcasing the capabilities and limitations of different real-time translation tools.
The camp also featured visits to CityUHK’s cutting-edge facilities. Students toured the Clinical Skills Laboratory and Anatomy Laboratory to learn how professional veterinary training is supported by modern teaching infrastructure. They visited the School of Energy and Environment’s laboratory, where they were introduced to innovative sustainability solutions such as radiative cooling and green recycling of e-waste. In addition, participants explored two exhibitions that deepened their appreciation of culture and environmental issues: "Central African Art: Invocation of an Unseen World" in the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery and "Story of Ocean Giants: Cetaceans & Sea Turtles." These exhibitions captured essence of Central African spiritual art and raised awareness about marine conservation and the plight of endangered ocean species.
With enriched content, broader participation and strong student engagement, this year’s CityUHK Experiential Camp provided an inspiring and practical introduction to life at one of Asia’s top universities.
