A total of seven teams of The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) won HK$100,000 each to implement innovative ideas for social good at the 2021 Open InnoChallenge (OIC), organized by the OUHK's Student Affairs Office.

The OIC was launched in 2017 with the aim of unleashing students' creativity and putting their knowledge into practice outside classroom at innovative and practical learning workshops. Through a series of experiential activities, students can translate their ideas into viable operations and then compete for funds for their implementation. Proposals are judged on their originality, creativity, feasibility, and potential social or community impact. Each successful team is awarded an implementation fund of HK$100,000 and receives cross-sectoral assistance from the OUHK.

This year, the OIC invited Prof. Ricky Kwok, Vice President (Students & Support) of the OUHK, Mr Alan Cheung, Managing Director of Grandion Industrial Limited, Mrs Rebecca Choy Yung, Founder and Chair of Golden Age Foundation, and Mr Jeff Ng, Co-founder and Executive Director of Guru Online, to sit on the judging panel. In addition to selecting the outstanding teams, the judges also offered students advice based on their own experience in business.

The seven winning teams this year hailed from a wide range of programmes, including Business and Administration, Creative Arts, Testing and Certification, Information Technology and Psychology. They have presented diversified, innovative plans that will have a positive impact on society. For example, one team will address the mental health and wellbeing of primary students by establishing an online platform of guided meditation videos and tests designed by psychologists. Three other projects will implement the following: provision of a platform riding on 3D printing technology for key opinion leaders for manufacturing their own toys and sales promotion; utilization of laser engraving for producing tailor-made wood-crafted souvenirs to illustrate Hong Kong from different angles; and application of augmented reality (AR) technology to furnish customers with one-stop innovative marketing and operation strategies.

Prof. Kwok of the OUHK praised the winning teams for their market instinct, enthusiasm for innovation and technology, and creativity. He also thanked his fellow judges for their valuable time and direction. Prof. Kwok expressed his hope that community leaders will continue to support the University's future endeavours and provide guidance to the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) has developed into a full-fledged university providing high quality and flexible university education at various levels to secondary school graduates and working adults. As a dynamic and innovative university, the OUHK currently offers programmes of different academic levels to about 10,000 full-time students and 9,000 part-time students. Our mission is to advance learning, knowledge and research that meet students’ learning aspirations and society’s talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes.

The OUHK comprises six Schools, namely School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, School of Nursing and Health Studies, School of Science and Technology, and Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). LiPACE provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering full-time sub-degree programmes, community learning and professional programmes.

The Council of the OUHK has earlier approved the new title ‘Hong Kong Metropolitan University’ for the University and the formal approval from the Legislative Council is being sought. The new title shows the unique position of the University in metropolitan Hong Kong. It also signifies the University’s path of transformation from a modest distance education institution to a full-fledged university and reflects its unique characteristics and strategic focuses.

OUHK website: www.hkmu.edu.hk
University Retitling website: https://retitling.hkmu.edu.hk