UP and HK PolyU strengthen service-learning partnership

President Jimenez and Prof. Ngai (12th and 13th from left, front row) pose with the participants from the two universities

A ceremonial signing of a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK PolyU) was held on 5 January 2026 at the Institute of Civil Engineering, UP Diliman. This marks the continued strengthening of the service-learning partnership between the two institutions, which started in July 2023 and was renewed in July 2025. UP President Angelo Jimenez and Prof. Grace Ngai, head of the HK PolyU Service-Learning and Leadership Office, formally signed the MOU.

The event opened with a series of immersive cultural activities for HK PolyU students, including street food tasting, a jeepney ride, baybayin writing, a photo booth, videoke, merienda, and live indigenous music, all of which offered a vibrant introduction to Filipino culture.

The partnership between the two universities has yielded numerous collaborative projects across different areas. These include joint service-learning initiatives on artificial intelligence education, resiliency, mental health, and teacher development. Through the partnership, UP secured the hosting of the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) Asia-Pacific Community of Practice (IARSLCE APCoP) Conference, scheduled to be held in June 2026.

The event also featured a salubungan between UP and HK PolyU teams working on interprofessional health, artificial intelligence, and vision screening projects, which aim to serve around 3,000 public school students in the Philippines. The day concluded with a boodle fight, symbolizing camaraderie and unity between the two institutions in promoting service-learning and community engagement.

More photos from the event are available on our Facebook page.

UP and HK PolyU strengthen service-learning partnership

A ceremonial signing of a three-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK PolyU) was held on 5 January 2026 at the Institute of Civil Engineering, UP Diliman. This marks the continued strengthening of the service-learning partnership between the two institutions, which started in July 2023 and was renewed in July 2025. UP President Angelo Jimenez and Prof. Grace Ngai, head of the HK PolyU Service-Learning and Leadership Office, formally signed the MOU.

The event opened with a series of immersive cultural activities for HK PolyU students, including street food tasting, a jeepney ride, baybayin writing, a photo booth, videoke, merienda, and live indigenous music, all of which offered a vibrant introduction to Filipino culture.

The partnership between the two universities has yielded numerous collaborative projects across different areas. These include joint service-learning initiatives on artificial intelligence education, resiliency, mental health, and teacher development. Through the partnership, UP secured the hosting of the International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement (IARSLCE) Asia-Pacific Community of Practice (IARSLCE APCoP) Conference, scheduled to be held in June 2026.

The event also featured a salubungan between UP and HK PolyU teams working on interprofessional health, artificial intelligence, and vision screening projects, which aim to serve around 3,000 public school students in the Philippines. The day concluded with a boodle fight, symbolizing camaraderie and unity between the two institutions in promoting service-learning and community engagement.

More photos from the event are available on our Facebook page.