Accessibility Statement Skip Navigation
  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing
  • Login
  • GDPR
  • Create a Free Account
Return to PRWeb homepage
  • News
  • Resources
  • Contact
When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type.

Searching for your content...

No results found. Please change your search terms and try again.
  • News in Focus
      • Browse News Releases

      • All News Releases
      • Multimedia Gallery

      • All Multimedia
      • All Photos
      • All Videos
  • Business & Money
      • Auto & Transportation

      • Aerospace, Defense
      • Air Freight
      • Airlines & Aviation
      • Automotive
      • Maritime & Shipbuilding
      • Railroads and Intermodal Transportation
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Transportation, Trucking & Railroad
      • Travel
      • Trucking and Road Transportation
      • View All Auto & Transportation

      • Business Technology

      • Blockchain
      • Broadcast Tech
      • Computer & Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Components
      • Electronic Design Automation
      • Financial Technology
      • High Tech Security
      • Internet Technology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Semiconductors
      • View All Business Technology

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Financial Services & Investing

      • Accounting News & Issues
      • Acquisitions, Mergers and Takeovers
      • Banking & Financial Services
      • Bankruptcy
      • Bond & Stock Ratings
      • Conference Call Announcements
      • Contracts
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Dividends
      • Earnings
      • Earnings Forecasts & Projections
      • Financing Agreements
      • Insurance
      • Investments Opinions
      • Joint Ventures
      • Mutual Funds
      • Private Placement
      • Real Estate
      • Restructuring & Recapitalization
      • Sales Reports
      • Shareholder Activism
      • Shareholder Meetings
      • Stock Offering
      • Stock Split
      • Venture Capital
      • View All Financial Services & Investing

      • General Business

      • Awards
      • Commercial Real Estate
      • Corporate Expansion
      • Earnings
      • Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
      • Human Resource & Workforce Management
      • Licensing
      • New Products & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Outsourcing Businesses
      • Overseas Real Estate (non-US)
      • Personnel Announcements
      • Real Estate Transactions
      • Residential Real Estate
      • Small Business Services
      • Socially Responsible Investing
      • Surveys, Polls and Research
      • Trade Show News
      • View All General Business

  • Science & Tech
      • Consumer Technology

      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Blockchain
      • Cloud Computing/Internet of Things
      • Computer Electronics
      • Computer Hardware
      • Computer Software
      • Consumer Electronics
      • Cryptocurrency
      • Data Analytics
      • Electronic Commerce
      • Electronic Gaming
      • Financial Technology
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Multimedia & Internet
      • Peripherals
      • Social Media
      • STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math)
      • Supply Chain/Logistics
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Consumer Technology

      • Energy & Natural Resources

      • Alternative Energies
      • Chemical
      • Electrical Utilities
      • Gas
      • General Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Oil & Energy
      • Oil and Gas Discoveries
      • Utilities
      • Water Utilities
      • View All Energy & Natural Resources

      • Environ­ment

      • Conservation & Recycling
      • Environmental Issues
      • Environmental Policy
      • Environmental Products & Services
      • Green Technology
      • Natural Disasters
      • View All Environ­ment

      • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Aerospace & Defense
      • Agriculture
      • Chemical
      • Construction & Building
      • General Manufacturing
      • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning)
      • Machinery
      • Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy
      • Mining
      • Mining & Metals
      • Paper, Forest Products & Containers
      • Precious Metals
      • Textiles
      • Tobacco
      • View All Heavy Industry & Manufacturing

      • Telecomm­unications

      • Carriers and Services
      • Mobile Entertainment
      • Networks
      • Peripherals
      • Telecommunications Equipment
      • Telecommunications Industry
      • VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
      • Wireless Communications
      • View All Telecomm­unications

  • Lifestyle & Health
      • Consumer Products & Retail

      • Animals & Pets
      • Beers, Wines and Spirits
      • Beverages
      • Bridal Services
      • Cannabis
      • Cosmetics and Personal Care
      • Fashion
      • Food & Beverages
      • Furniture and Furnishings
      • Home Improvement
      • Household, Consumer & Cosmetics
      • Household Products
      • Jewelry
      • Non-Alcoholic Beverages
      • Office Products
      • Organic Food
      • Product Recalls
      • Restaurants
      • Retail
      • Supermarkets
      • Toys
      • View All Consumer Products & Retail

      • Entertain­ment & Media

      • Advertising
      • Art
      • Books
      • Entertainment
      • Film and Motion Picture
      • Magazines
      • Music
      • Publishing & Information Services
      • Radio & Podcast
      • Television
      • View All Entertain­ment & Media

      • Health

      • Biometrics
      • Biotechnology
      • Clinical Trials & Medical Discoveries
      • Dentistry
      • FDA Approval
      • Fitness/Wellness
      • Health Care & Hospitals
      • Health Insurance
      • Infection Control
      • International Medical Approval
      • Medical Equipment
      • Medical Pharmaceuticals
      • Mental Health
      • Pharmaceuticals
      • Supplementary Medicine
      • View All Health

      • Sports

      • General Sports
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Sporting Events
      • Sports Equipment & Accessories
      • View All Sports

      • Travel

      • Amusement Parks and Tourist Attractions
      • Gambling & Casinos
      • Hotels and Resorts
      • Leisure & Tourism
      • Outdoors, Camping & Hiking
      • Passenger Aviation
      • Travel Industry
      • View All Travel

  • Policy & Public Interest
      • Policy & Public Interest

      • Advocacy Group Opinion
      • Animal Welfare
      • Congressional & Presidential Campaigns
      • Corporate Social Responsibility
      • Domestic Policy
      • Economic News, Trends, Analysis
      • Education
      • Environmental
      • European Government
      • FDA Approval
      • Federal and State Legislation
      • Federal Executive Branch & Agency
      • Foreign Policy & International Affairs
      • Homeland Security
      • Labor & Union
      • Legal Issues
      • Natural Disasters
      • Not For Profit
      • Patent Law
      • Public Safety
      • Trade Policy
      • U.S. State Policy
      • View All Policy & Public Interest

  • People & Culture
      • People & Culture

      • Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American
      • African American
      • Asian American
      • Children
      • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
      • Hispanic
      • Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual
      • Men's Interest
      • People with Disabilities
      • Religion
      • Senior Citizens
      • Veterans
      • Women
      • View All People & Culture

  • Hamburger menu
  • Cision PRWeb provides efficient communication tools to continuously engage with target audiences across multiple online channels
  • Create a Free Account
    • ALL CONTACT INFO
    • Contact Us


      11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday

  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • News in Focus
    • Browse All News
    • Multimedia Gallery
  • Business & Money
    • Auto & Transportation
    • Business Technology
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Financial Services & Investing
    • General Business
  • Science & Tech
    • Consumer Technology
    • Energy & Natural Resources
    • Environ­ment
    • Heavy Industry & Manufacturing
    • Telecomm­unications
  • Lifestyle & Health
    • Consumer Products & Retail
    • Entertain­ment & Media
    • Health
    • Sports
    • Travel
  • Policy & Public Interest
  • People & Culture
    • People & Culture
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR
  • Send a Release
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Resources
  • RSS
  • GDPR

PolyU research reveals that short-term study-in-China programmes promote local university students' intercultural competence and understanding of Mainland China

Since the reunification of Hong Kong with China, economic and social ties between Hong Kong and the Mainland have become more frequent. Amid the rapid economic growth of our country, more employment and business opportunities are created for young people in Hong Kong. To enhance their understanding of and identification with the Nation, local academic institutions have been organising various exchange programmes between China and Hong Kong. A recent Public Policy Research Project conducted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) revealed that short-term study-in-China programmes enhanced the intercultural competence of local Hong Kong university students. The programmes also positively influenced their perception and attitude towards Mainland China, as well as their identification with the Nation. The findings strongly suggest the importance of further promoting short-term learning opportunities in Mainland China for Hong Kong's younger generation.


News provided by

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Dec 14, 2020, 23:00 ET

Share this article

Share toX

Share this article

Share toX

The research findings strongly suggest the importance of further promoting short-term learning opportunities in Mainland China for Hong Kong’s younger generation.
The research findings strongly suggest the importance of further promoting short-term learning opportunities in Mainland China for Hong Kong’s younger generation.

HONG KONG, Dec. 14, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The research project was led by PolyU scholars Dr Lu YU, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Social Sciences; and Professor Daniel T. L. SHEK, Interim Vice-President (Research and Innovation), Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme), Chair Professor of Applied Social Sciences and Li and Fung Professor in Service Leadership Education. The study also had two co-investigators: Dr Shengquan YE of City University of Hong Kong and Dr Mingyue GU of Education University of Hong Kong. Based on a pre- and post-test mixed method design, the study investigated the impact of three major types of short-term study-in-China programmes, including cultural tour programmes, summer term programmes, and service learning programmes, on Hong Kong local university students' development. A total of 380 local students from eight universities in Hong Kong who are in years one to four of their studies and have participated in various short-term study-in-China programmes in the academic year of 2018/19, took part in the survey before and after joining the programmes. Among this batch of students, over 60% have never lived in the Mainland. The self-reported questionnaire measured students' intercultural competence, perceptions and attitudes about Mainland China and its people; students' identification with the Nation; and finally their national identity. Furthermore, individual interviews were conducted with 42 students and 16 programme staff to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences and opinions about the programmes.

Based on the major findings of the study, the research team concluded that despite the relatively short duration of 1-8 weeks staying in Mainland China, the intercultural competence of the participating students increased and they reported more positive attitudes and views toward Mainland China and Chinese people, along with increased identification with the Nation after completing the programmes. Moreover, students with strong internal motivations, proactive learning attitudes, and high openness to new experiences were found to benefit the most from the learning experiences. In addition, having supportive peers, responsible and competent teachers, and high-quality programmes facilitated students' effective learning.

The Government has always been supportive of Mainland study programmes that enable young people to gain a better understanding of our country's development, to learn and broaden their cultural horizons and enhance their sense of belonging.

Post this

Professor Daniel SHEK, the leader of the research, said, "The Government has always been supportive of Mainland study programmes that enable young people to gain a better understanding of our country's development, to learn and broaden their cultural horizons and enhance their sense of belonging. Over the years, PolyU has organised a wide range of Mainland learning programmes with nearly 1,000 students participating each year. However, no systematic evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of the programmes has been conducted in the past, and this study provides an excellent opportunity for us to conduct an in-depth review and make recommendations on policies to enhance the depth and breadth of future programmes."

Dr Lu YU, who co-led the research with Professor SHEK, added, "It is hoped that the survey will affirm the positive impact of study-in-China programmes on participating students, and the way in which they help enhance young people's national identity, resulting in a win-win situation for both the Nation and the participants." She hopes that the study will provide more inspiration for all parties to improve the content and format of short-term study-in-China programmes.

In response to the findings of the study, the research team has made a number of policy recommendations, including integrating relevant programmes into the undergraduate curriculum, allocating extra resources to support the programmes, establishing a resource-sharing platform and providing training for programme leaders, with a view to enhancing the quality and quantity of the programmes in a comprehensive way.

Major Findings of the Study
1)    Students reported higher levels of intercultural competence in terms of both intercultural effectiveness and intercultural communication awareness after completion of the programmes (including cultural exchange, summer school and service learning programmes). The impact was significant for all three types of programme.
2)    Participants showed more positive perceptions about Mainland China and more positive attitudes toward its people after joining the programmes. Both summer term and service learning programmes had a significant and positive impact on students' development in this area.
3)    The programmes promoted students' identification with the identity of a Chinese citizen, the perceived importance of the identity of a Chinese citizen and as a member of the Chinese race, as well as the perceived strengths of all four types of identities (as a Hong Kong citizen, a Chinese citizen, a citizen of the PRC, and a member of the Chinese race).
4)    More improvement in intercultural communication awareness was observed in students with prior experiences in joining such programmes and those with higher expectations about the programmes enhancing this developmental outcome.
5)    A higher parental educational level was associated with more positive changes of students' perceptions about Mainland China, less increase in their self-identification as a Hong Kong citizen, and in their perceived strength and importance of this identity.
6)    Students with no prior experiences in any short-term study-in-China programmes showed more positive changes in their identity as a citizen of the PRC, and their perceived strength and importance of this identity than those who had joined such programmes before.
7)    At the personal level, strong internal motivation, positive and proactive attitudes toward the programmes, and openness to new experiences were identified as critical factors contributing to students' learning gains from the programmes.
8)    At the programme level, highly motivational peers, responsible and knowledgeable teachers, and high programme quality (with clear objectives, carefully-designed activities and appropriate schedules) were perceived as facilitators to students' effective learning gains.

Policy recommendations proposed by the research team:

  • Further promote short-term study-in-China programmes by allocating extra resources, setting up specific funds, strengthening collaboration with Mainland China and integrating relevant programmes into the undergraduate curriculum. Instead of a mandatory requirement, students should be strongly encouraged to join in a voluntary manner.
  • Promote the integration of short-term study-in-China experiences into undergraduate studies and strengthen the service learning element in the undergraduate curriculum.
  • Identify and introduce high-quality programmes as examples of best practices and foster information exchange among universities through a common platform.
  • Enhance students' motivation through orientation workshops, student leader schemes and team-building activities.
  • Build up the capacity of programme leaders through systematic training and evaluation.
  • Build up positive public perceptions of study-in-China programme experience by disseminating publicity materials and creating opportunities for participants to share their experiences to the public.
  • Utilise the positive influence of the media to promote Chinese culture to the general public and enhance their direct exposure to Mainland society through service/voluntary opportunities.
  • Support long-term research projects to evaluate and document the long-term impact of study-in-China programme experiences.

Acknowledgement:
The research project (Project Number: 2018.A6.113.18C) is funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme from the Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office of The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Media Contact

Ms Ellena Kam, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 3400 2128, [email protected]

SOURCE The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Related Links

https://www.polyu.edu.hk

Modal title

Contact PRWeb

  • 11AM ET Sunday – 8PM ET Friday
  • Contact Us

About PRWeb

  • About PRWeb
  • Partners
  • Partnership Programs
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Resources

Why PRWeb

  • Why PRWeb
  • How It Works
  • Who Uses It
  • Pricing

Accounts

  • Create a Free Account
  • Log in
  • Contact Us

Do not sell or share my personal information:

  • Submit via [email protected] 
  • Call Privacy toll-free: 877-297-8921

Contact Cision

Products

About

My Services
  • All News Releases
  • Online Member Center
  • ProfNet
Cision Distribution Helpline
888-776-0942
  • Legal
  • Site Map
  • RSS
  • Cookie Settings
Copyright © 2025 Cision US Inc.