EdUHK’s Positive Education Conference: Cultivating Visible Wellbeing and I-WELL’s 2nd Anniversary Ceremony
EdUHK’s Positive Education Conference: Cultivating Visible Wellbeing and I-WELL’s 2nd Anniversary Ceremony
A conference dedicated to the promotion of positive education, focusing on cultivating “visible wellbeing”, was held today (20 June) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). Featuring academic presentations, practical sharing and hands-on mindfulness practice by academic scholars, clinical experts and educational practitioners, the conference aimed to arouse attention to the fundamental importance of enhancing individual awareness of the value of cultivating wellbeing in oneself and others in different settings in the home, school and community.
While society often focuses on developing students’ academic skills, more teachers, educators and clinical professionals are actively advocating the importance of positive education for developing children’s and students’ emotional wellbeing and virtue, in addition to academic matters. Living, embedding and embodying “visible wellbeing” supports the development of children and students through learning and teaching in the curricula, activities, administrative arrangements and daily living. This is the basis of whole-person development for students, along with positive support from educators and parents to help them face the increasing challenges in life.
At the conference, Professor Chiu Chi-yue, Dean of Social Science at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, shared his views about the growing interest in positive education in Hong Kong. Speakers at the conference included Dr Hung Se-fong, psychiatrist, Ms Chow Hoi-sze, clinical psychologist, and Ms Kwok Yee-tak, MBCT: mindfulness-based cognitive therapy teacher. Discussion topics included the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents, the promotion of positive education and mental health in schools, and the cultivation of compassion through mindfulness training, with hands-on practice, among others. Three local teachers shared their practical experience and “soft skills” they developed on their path of learning and teaching positive education.
In welcoming the participants, Professor Allan Walker, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Human Development at EdUHK, said, ‘EdUHK’s mission is to help students, educators, families and individuals understand the importance of wellbeing, especially as we navigate the hustle and bustle of our busy world. We hope that the participants’ engagement in this Conference will raise their awareness of the importance of “visible wellbeing” by helping them find a real connection with their inner self and with others.’
Established by EdUHK in 2016, the Integrated Centre for Wellbeing (I-WELL) provides comprehensive services to students with special education needs and their families. As the University is celebrating the second anniversary of I-WELL, Professor Hue Ming-tak, Director of I-WELL and Head of the Department of Special Education and Counselling at EdUHK, said, “The Department and I-WELL will continue to foster whole person development. Our team of professional experts in I-WELL will continue to support the cultivation of an inclusive and positive learning environment for children, students and families through commissioned courses and consultancy projects. The department will continue to conduct evidence-based scientific research in holistic wellness through collaboration with enterprises, NGOs and other educational institutions.”
