Student Sharing - NIE X HKU e-Practicum Buddy Scheme (2024-25)
.jpeg)
HUANG Zhen, Lisa
HUANG Zhen, Lisa (group representative)
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in Language Education – Chinese
%20tallest.png)
Before attending the HKU x NIE e-Practicum Program, I was very excited. Singapore’s education is globally renowned, as demonstrated by the PISA Ranking. I was eager to find out the reasons behind its success by comparing different education systems. Moreover, Singapore is also a Chinese language society, which can also deepen my understanding of pedagogies by comparing similar language systems but different cultural backgrounds.
Overall, Singapore and Hong Kong are similar in many ways, but each has unique features and policies from which the other can learn. This experience has helped me better understand how different education systems work and how they each try to support students in their ways. I am deeply thankful to Dr. Promail Leung, Ms. Gloria Liu, and the SUP office team for their invaluable support and efforts in making this meaningful learning journey possible.
.jpg)
LAU Tsz Wun, Jonathan
LAU Tsz Wun, Jonathan (group representative)
Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science
Speaking of my participation in the HKU x NIE e-Practicum Buddy Scheme 2024-25, never would I forget how enjoyable our online collaboration was when all of us shared our own local learning experiences with one another. In this 4-week programme, I was very grateful that I could meet some friendly and supportive buddies who are pre-service teachers in Singapore. We explored together different educational topics, including education pathways, extra-curricular activities and pedagogical technology, hence made a comparison between the systems in two regions and shared our views on them.
Becoming one of the representatives on our side, I am so grateful that I had a challenging but also an intriguing experience of collaborating with other representatives to plan and organize this programme for all participants. Say, I attempted to compose the Activity Plan, design ice-breaking activities and host some online webinars. As a prospective educator, it is essential to possess some skills for preparing and organizing learning activities for students, and hence I am very thankful that I was invited to be a student representative for our HKU participants.
I really enjoyed participating in the HKU x NIE e-Practicum Buddy Scheme a lot and this could certainly enrich my learning experience as a pre-service teacher before graduation. Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Promail Leung, Ms Gloria Liu and everyone in the SUP office for arranging this precious learning opportunity.
.jpg)
CHAN Ho Fei, Ivan
Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Science
Before joining the e-Practicum Buddy Scheme, I aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Singapore’s educational system and policies from multiple perspectives. Surprisingly, I achieved even more than I expected! Through a series of collaborative seminars focusing on three key education topics, I not only expanded my knowledge of the education system and tools, but I also reshaped my values and beliefs about teaching and learning.
During the insightful seminar discussions, I learnt about the structural difference in educational pathways and systems between Hong Kong and Singapore. I was particularly surprised by Singapore’s more complex system, which features a shorter duration of compulsory education while offering a wider variety of schools and qualifications to support student development. Additionally, I gained insights into Singapore’s policies on co-curricular activities (CCAs) and their everyday use of educational technology (EdTech) tools.
For the inspiration and impact, I discovered more about various EdTech Tools that I can utilise in implementing my future lessons. Moreover, the experience of organising a seminar was also a good chance to train our ability in lesson design. When we become an in-service teacher one day, we also need to host the lesson attractively in order to facilitate their learning. Lastly, I’m truly grateful for my wonderful groupmates, and I hope we stay connected beyond this program.
.png)
CHEN Haofan, Ivan
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in Language Education – Chinese
I am grateful for the enriching conversations the HKU x NIE e-Practicum Buddy Scheme (2024–2025) has brought about. Throughout this experience, I had the chance to learn more about the education landscape in Singapore, particularly the various education pathways available to students. These discussions were not only informative but also thought-provoking, offering me a broader perspective on how education systems can be structured.
What stood out to me the most was gaining a deeper understanding of how Singaporean students engage in extracurricular activities. Their system places strong emphasis on holistic development, which includes leadership opportunities, community service, and STEM-related initiatives. This offered a meaningful contrast with the system I am more familiar with in Hong Kong and gave me a lot to reflect on regarding how we can better support students beyond academics. I was especially impressed by how structured and intentional these programmes are in Singapore, often embedded into the school curriculum in a way that reinforces values, collaboration, and real-world learning.
I would like to sincerely thank the SUP Office and Dr. Promail Leung for offering us this opportunity and for their thoughtful coordination. Last but not least, thank you to all the buddies from both HKU and NIE for your active participation and meaningful sharing. This has been a truly inspiring experience.
LAM Chak Kai, Alvin
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in Language Education – Chinese
This experience has had a lasting impact on both my personal and professional growth. Personally, it has encouraged me to reflect on my own educational experiences and the broader goals of learning. Professionally, it has inspired me to consider a future in education-related fields, such as policy-making or curriculum development. The idea that education can be a powerful tool not only for knowledge transfer but also for character building and community development deeply resonates with me. I now feel more motivated to advocate for an education system that prioritizes both academic success and student well-being.
The Virtual Student Collaboration was more than just an academic exercise—it was a valuable learning journey that expanded my horizons and deepened my appreciation for diverse educational practices. It reinforced the idea that education should empower students not only to succeed in school but also to thrive in life. This experience has sparked a passion in me to contribute to creating more inclusive, flexible, and supportive learning environments for future generations.