Commit to Change
The world's local bank- Hong Kong – Diversity grant
- Global – iNet
- Korea – Seoul English Village
- UK – Supporting Chinese language instruction
- UK – WWTlearn
- Global – The English-Speaking Union
- United Arab Emirates – Sharjah Women's College
- Global – HSBC Chevening scholars
- UK and China – Work experience programme
- UK, China, India, South Africa and Egypt – Rivers of the world
- United Arab Emirates – English Language Programme
- Bahrain – Star School
- Hong Kong – Scholarship schemes
- UK – The Science of Survival
Hong Kong – Diversity grant
While the majority of students in Hong Kong universities were born in Hong Kong, more and more international students, particularly Mandarin-speakers from mainland China, are enrolling. These overseas students may feel isolated, affecting their social well-being and academic achievements. HSBC recognised that joint activities between local and international students would help integrate the students across cultural and language barriers and launched its diversity grant in 2005.
Students from six Hong Kong universities which have a high percentage of Chinese mainland and overseas students may apply for funding from HSBC to support cultural projects. Organisers and participants must include both local and non-local students and the organisers are required to produce an evaluation of the project at its end. In the 2005/06 academic year, a total of nine projects were supported with US$30,000. The project continues in 2006/07.
One of the projects in 2006 was Made in China. This project aimed to exhibit traditional Chinese culture, helping students to experience traditional activities such as handicrafts, food and entertainment. The project took place over two days. The 'Chinese Cultural Night' was held in the evening and 'Chinese Happy Valley' in the daytime, outside, so many different people were involved.
