UIC cultivates its unique hall culture in student hostels to enhance the sense of belonging for the students through comprehensive hall management and various activities, making their halls a "home" for students to study and grow.
Recently, the college senior management, wardens of all eight student halls, members of the Student Hostel Council, as well as resident student tutors attended the annual Hall High Table Dinner and had discussions centring around the theme of how to strengthen hall culture at UIC.
Hall High Table Dinner
Becoming a whole person
Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and UIC President Prof Tang Tao, addressed the importance of hall culture in Whole Person Education during his remarks. All of the students and teachers are the backbones and unsung heroes of this framework, where wardens are not only teachers and friends, but also psychological consultants and leaders. The Student Hostel Council and resident student tutors are the strong support for daily communication and activities.
President Tang delivers his remarks to hall members
To create a high-quality communication and learning environment for UIC students from all corners of the country and with multicultural backgrounds, the hall members are continually strengthening their ability to solve problems. Especially this year, faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, the joint efforts of teachers and students made UIC students feel the warmth of "home". President Tang said that the student hostels are great places to cultivate students' civic and community awareness, communication abilities and other excellent qualities, as well as to create profound memories. He thanked the hall members and wished them a fruitful journey.
President Tang awards wardens, vice wardens and Student Hostel Council representatives
Student Hostels are "Invisible Classrooms"
Dr Bonny Yuen, the warden of the Innovative Education Hall and the DST Assistant Professor, shared with the students the ideas and methods of how to solve the common problems in residential life. She believes that the work in halls helps the students establish friendships, and enhances their leadership and the sense of responsibility.
Dr Bonny Yuen shares her views with students
Li Kunrong, a resident student tutor and a third-year student from Public Relations and Advertising, was the representative of the students, and she shared her working experience. She believes that the student halls are "invisible classrooms" in UIC, which boosts the students' growth and carries their memories.
Li Kunrong shares her working experience
The host of the High Table Dinner, DST Assistant Professor, Dr Timothy Wu, said that student tutors should keep in touch with the freshmen, and hold various activities to help them better adapt to the hall culture.
Company strengthens sense of belonging
It is the tenth year since Dr Maggie Tang, Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Administration Programme, joined UIC and became the warden of the Literary Education Hall. She lives with the students in the hostels. She also regularly participates in the meetings on hall activities, giving advice, support and encouragement to the students. Dr Tang is a senior social worker, and students often come to talk to her about their troubles in study and life. She accompanied many students out of their depression and anxiety.
Halls got talents: Graffiti Competition
Halls got talents: Long Rope Skipping Competition
The Lion Dragon Dance is a traditional activity of the hall
Dr Tang also mentioned that the wardens will always pay attention to the students' physical and mental health, and she hopes that the students can establish a sense of responsibility and learn to solve their problems independently.
Huang Huaiyao, a fourth-year student from Applied Translation Studies, had organised many hall activities on the floor such as Bracelet DIY Making, Game Competition, etc. during her tenure as a resident student tutor, and was appreciated and affirmed by the students. She fulfils her duties very actively and strives to create a good atmosphere in the hall. She thinks that the hall culture enriches her college life, shows the care from the college for the students, and strengthens the students' sense of belonging in college.
Guests (from left): Associate Vice President (Student Development) Prof Stella Cho, Vice President (Administration) Prof Mao Yaqing, Provost Prof Chen Zhi, President Prof Tang Tao, Vice President (Academic) Prof Huang Huaxiong, Vice President (Research and Development) Prof Jia Weijia, Associate Vice President (Internationalization) Prof Adrian Bailey, Managing Director for Finance and Administration Mr Nelson Chan
(Read more: Hall Day Forum with President: How to plan college life)
From MPRO
Photographers: Zhang Yichi, Wu Kunchi
Editors: Samuel Burgess, Deen He, Ma Yiran
