This presentation will tell the story of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on the institutionalization of academically-rigorous Service-Learning (SL). We begin with the discussion on academic Service-Learning as a high impact pedagogy. We then outline the development of Service-Learning at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as a graduation requirement, as well as the quality assurance mechanisms. The lessons learned in the past decade are also highlighted, particularly on the importance of academically rigorous credit-bearing SL subjects. Finally, we share reflections on the implementation and evaluation of SL with reference to evidence-based SL and scholarship of teaching and learning.

The presentation has been prepared together with Dr Grace Ngai, Head of Service-Learning and Leadership Office at PolyU and a recipient of UGC Teaching Award on Service-Learning.

Professor Daniel Shek (PhD, FHKPS, BBS, SBS, JP) is Associate Vice President, Chair Professor of Applied Social Sciences, and Li and Fung Endowed Professor in Service Leadership Education at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Changjiang Scholar. He has received two Bronze, one Silver Award, and two Gold QS Reimagine Education Awards and a UGC Teaching Award for his leadership and Service-Learning subjects. He was named one of the world’s most cited 2% scientists by Stanford University and Clarivate for many years. In 2024, Daniel Shek was named an inaugural Highly Ranked Scholar by ScholarGPS (top 0.05% of all scholars worldwide) in Social Work.