Home / Events

Teaching Exchange Fellowship Scheme Seminar – Enhancing Internship Practices: Insights from Waterloo’s Work Integrated Learning Model

Internship Teaching Exchange Fellowship Scheme TEFS

Event Details

Date : 28 March 2025 (Friday)

Time : 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Venue : Learning Lab (RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU)

Speaker : Ms. Elsa Lam, Director of Experiential Learning, Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU

Discussant : Ms. Joyce Fung, Assistant Lecturer, Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU

Facilitator : Prof. Lily Zeng, Assistant Professor, TALIC, HKU

Abstract

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and cooperative education are vital components of contemporary higher education. Understanding successful frameworks and implementation strategies is crucial for enhancing internship programs and student learning outcomes.

In this seminar, the speakers will discuss insights from the Teaching Exchange Fellowship at the University of Waterloo. The visit includes discussions with 15 teaching staff from 11 departments and interactions with co-op students, emphasizing student preparation, employer engagement, and support for students with special needs. The key insights and potential applications of Waterloo’s successful cooperative education model, which serves over 26,000 students and 8,000 employers, will be examined to enhance internship practices at HKU’s Faculty of Social Sciences.

About the Speaker

Ms. Elsa Lam is a senior lecturer and the Director of the Experiential Learning Team at the Faculty of Social Sciences. In her role, she is responsible for creating and managing both local and non-local experiential learning opportunities, for the social innovation and global citizenship program. Her teaching research, supported by the teaching development grant, focuses on several key areas: ethical overseas community engagement, the role of community partners as co-educators, global citizenship at home, and the development of inclusive internships.

About the Discussant

Ms. Joyce Fung is an Assistant Lecturer (Experiential Learning) at the Faculty of Social Sciences. Prior to joining the team, she gained diverse experiences as a management trainee, research assistant, teaching assistant and NGO program in charge. Joyce is also the co-founder of Free Periods Hong Kong, a registered charity dedicated to addressing period poverty. Her passion for menstrual education and combating period poverty originated from her Sociology final-year capstone project at HKU. Her current responsibilities include developing career programmes, preparing students for internships, and leading global citizenship at home internship.

For information, please contact: