Taking place from 1-9 July 2018, this year’s annual ACU Summer School brought together more than 40 students from 20 Commonwealth countries. Hosted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the Summer School saw students spend the week learning how to design and create sustainable communities through a diverse programme of activities.

From visiting the City Gallery of Hong Kong – an interactive gallery about the history and development of the country – to a walking tour of some of Hong Kong’s historical sites, including Dr Sun Yat Sen Museum and the old central police station and jail, students had the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities.

Further highlights included a dinner in Sha Tin, where some of the students got to grips with the ancient art of Chinese calligraphy and field trips to Hong Kong Island, where they visited the district of Sai Ying Pun and the Blue House Cluster – winner of UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2017. To see all this and much more, watch our video...

Click on the photo above to view our YouTube video!

The school itself was a big success, with students describing it as ‘inspirational’, ‘motivating’ and ‘a life-changing experience’.

The positive impact on everyone involved was paramount, with George Owira, a Kenyan Masters student from the Open University in the UK saying ‘It can be a very good resource for future leaders.’

And it appears that the experience has also had a national impact, with Mrittika Barua from the Asian University of Women, Bangladesh, saying ‘I would definitely recommend this to other students from my country.’   

While Norhadizah Mohd Khalid, a PhD student from University Putra Malaysia added, ‘I would encourage every student to join the Summer School, next year and thereafter.’

The ACU would like to thank CUHK for being such wonderful hosts – without them this event would not have been possible!

Read more about this year’s Summer School here, and make sure to check out our videos on our YouTube channel.