Date: 9 Dec 2024 (Mon)
Honours Academy’s Pre-Teens Financial Literacy Workshop Series Shortlisted for QS Reimagine Education Awards 2024
The Honours Academy (HA) of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong has gained international recognition for its innovative approach to education, with its Pre-Teens Financial Literacy Workshop Series shortlisted for the Developing Emerging Skills and Competencies Award at the 2024 QS Reimagine Education Awards. Other than HA, two other projects from HSUHK have also been shortlisted, namely “Game-Based Learning and Generative AI: Transforming Education Across Disciplines at HSUHK” by the Digital Learning Section, Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and “Metaverse4ALL: Problem-based Collaborative Learning via Metaverse for Higher Education Disciplines” by the Virtual Reality Centre, CTL.
Often referred to as the “Oscars of Education”, the QS Reimagine Education Awards celebrate the most innovative and effective approaches to enhancing student learning and employability. In 2024, the awards received over 1,300 submissions across 18 categories, making the competition fiercer than ever. The HA’s project ranked in the top 25% globally, affirming its excellence in fostering financial literacy and leadership skills.
A Global Stage for Hong Kong Innovation
The recognition placed the HA among the most impactful educational initiatives worldwide. Dr Holly Chung, Head of HA, represented the project at the QS Reimagine Education Conference held in London in December 2024. The event brought together trailblazers in education, providing a platform for pitching, networking, and exchanging ideas on the future of learning.
Dr Chung’s pitch highlighted the transformative essence of the Pre-Teens Financial Literacy Workshop Series, which tackles two pressing issues: equipping pre-teens with critical financial skills and providing HA student leaders with real-world opportunities to develop empathy, leadership, and creativity.
“Being shortlisted in such a prestigious competition is a testament to what we’ve accomplished together as a team,” said Dr Chung. “It was an honour to showcase our HA students’ creativity and leadership on a global stage and to connect with like-minded innovators striving to make education more impactful and inclusive.”
The Pre-Teens Financial Literacy Workshop Series
Launched in 2022 in collaboration with a prominent non-government organisation in Hong Kong, the Pre-Teens Financial Literacy Workshop Series has already benefited over 100 pre-teens and 60 Honours Academy student leaders. The programme is designed to address two key needs: preparing pre-teens for financial independence through engaging, hands-on activities that teach them how to budget, save, and make informed financial decisions, while also giving university students valuable experience in leadership, creativity, and social awareness by designing and facilitating the workshops.
At the heart of the programme is the Life Simulation Board Game, which takes pre-teens through financial and lifestyle decisions across three life stages: secondary school, university, and early career. Designed entirely by cross-cohort HA student leaders all the way since its inception in 2022, the game provides a safe, engaging environment where participants can experience the consequences of their choices and learn to balance finances with well-being and relationships.
Looking Ahead
The workshops have grown significantly since their launch, with plans to expand to more primary and secondary in the years to come. The Honours Academy also aims to transform the Life Simulation Board Game into a standalone product to make it accessible to even more schools and communities.
The Honours Academy remains committed to fostering innovation and social impact through education. By equipping pre-teens with essential financial literacy and empowering our university students to lead with empathy and creativity, the programme creates a ripple effect of positive change.
When we empower pre-teens today, we are transforming the leaders of tomorrow.