Page 11 - SYU Prospectus

Policy and Working Guidelines

Policy and Working Guidelines

1. The aims of the University are:-
(a) To meet the actual needs of Hong Kong society by training effective, efficient and
well-balanced young people for various services in the community;
(b) To promote the spirit of humanity and the freedom of learning with a scientific ap-
proach and also to contribute to the development of higher education in Hong Kong;
and
(c) To demonstrate by consistent behaviour the virtues of humanity and the objective
attitude of men of culture.

2. Characteristics:-
At the undergraduate level, both Chinese and English are used as media of instruction.
The curricula are designed to give students both liberal and professional education. In the first
two years, emphasis is placed on the mastery of Chinese and English and also the art of
translation, which are the major tools of learning. General social science subjects such as
Political Science, Psychology, Economics and Sociology are also taught in order to ensure a
well-balanced and sound foundation. In the final two years, the University provides opportuni-
ties for students to gain both theoretical training and practical experience in their major fields
while completing their university programmes. Students are expected to have specialized
knowledge as well as a thorough understanding of the conditions in Hong Kong so that they
are well equipped to serve the community.

3. The mission and direction:-
The historical mission of the University has been to preserve and propagate traditional
Chinese culture and in particular the educational ideals of Confucianism which is to develop
humanitarian consciousness and promote benevolence. According to the Great Learning ( 大
學 ), the first of the Four Books in the Chinese Classics, the way of learning to be great
consists of manifesting the lustrous virtue, rejuvenating the populace and resting on the
highest perfection ( 在明明德, 在親民, 在止於至善 ). This is implied in the very name of the
University, Shue Yan ( 樹仁 ), which means nurturing benevolence and cultivating virtue.
Emphasis is placed on the cultivation of one’s character in pursuit of an ideal as embodied in
the famous Chinese old saying: When one is well cultivated, one will be able to put one’s
house in order and, with harmony in one’s house, one may go on to render one’s service to
one’s country and make one’s contribution to the world. In other words, when one’s knowledge
is extended, one’s intention will become sincere and one’s mind rectified, thus one’s personal
life will be cultivated. When one’s personal life is cultivated, one’s family will be regulated and
then one’s state will be well governed; and when all the states are well governed, there will be
peace and harmony throughout the world ( 修身, 齊家, 治國, 平天下 ).
The curricula, syllabi, pedagogy, and the students’ extra-curricular activities of the Uni-

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