Two innovative projects submitted by the Service-Learning Section and Virtual Reality Centre (VRC) of the Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) have been shortlisted for the prestigious QS Reimagine Education Awards 2026. The projects, Cross-Border Social Entrepreneurship Partnership and MetaHeritage: Tiger Balm VR Learning, were recognised for their contributions to educational innovation, experiential learning, and cross-sector collaboration, receiving nominations in The Power of Partnerships Award and Immersive Experiential Learning Award respectively. Among more than 2,200 submissions across 15 categories, both projects ranked within the top 25% following evaluation by over 1,000 international judges, securing a place on the 2026 shortlist. Two teams from CTL represent HSUHK at the QS Reimagine Education Awards & Conference 2026 in London this December, joining educators, innovators, and higher education leaders from around the world.
Service-Learning Project Earns QS Reimagine Education 2026 Shortlist in Power of Partnerships Category
The project “Cross-Border Social Entrepreneurship Partnership”, shortlisted for the Power of Partnerships Award, showcases the transformative potential of cross-sector and cross-border collaboration in higher education. Led by Jessie Cheung from the Department of Management and Waii Yip from the Service-Learning Section of CTL, together with team members Ben Cheng, Director of CTL, and Victor Chan, Associate Head (Service-Learning), CTL, the initiative brings together HSUHK, the National University of Management (NUM), Cambodia, social ventures, and ecosystem partners to create meaningful learning opportunities for students.
Through mixed Hong Kong-Cambodia student consulting teams, 90 students participated in immersive workshops, cultural exchange activities, and virtual engagement with entrepreneurs. Working with 16 social and environmental ventures, students developed tailored consulting solutions while applying social entrepreneurship frameworks to real-world challenges. The project strengthened students’ professional, intercultural, and entrepreneurial competencies, demonstrating how partnership-driven learning can generate impactful educational outcomes and a scalable model for cross-border collaboration in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
Service-Learning Project Team Members
(from left): Ms Charlotte Lee (CTL); Ms Waii Yip (CTL); Dr Jessie Cheung (MGT);
Dr Chuck Chung (Partner from NUM); Dr Ben Cheng (CTL); Dr Victor Chan (CTL);
Mr Kelvin Wan (CTL); Mr Andy Chan (CTL)
VRC Project Earns QS Reimagine Education 2026 Shortlist in Immersive Experiential Learning Category
The project “MetaHeritage: Reviving Lost Tiger Balm Garden through Collaborative VR Learning”, shortlisted for the Immersive Experiential Learning Award, demonstrates how immersive technologies can transform heritage education and cultural preservation. Led by Professor Eugene Wong, Professor of the Department of Supply Chain and Information Management and Director of the Virtual Reality Centre at HSUHK, together with Professor Desmond Hui and Dr Patrick Mok of the Department of Art and Design, Mr Matt Chan of CTL and other HSUHK collaborators, the project is a cross-institutional partnership involving HSUHK, Hong Kong Chu Hai College.
Through a VR-enabled metaverse platform, the project digitally reconstructs the lost heritage of Tiger Balm Garden, enabling immersive and collaborative learning across disciplines. By promoting heritage appreciation, cross-cultural understanding, and community engagement through public VR exhibition, the initiative has benefited more than 8,000 participants while providing an innovative and sustainable model for preserving cultural heritage and enriching student learning.
Ir Professor Eugene Wong (4th from left), Director of the VRC, poses with project team members from HSUHK and Hong Kong Chu Hai College at the The ‘Ten Courts of Hell’ of Tiger Balm Garden” exhibition.
About the QS Reimagine Education Awards
Organised by global higher education analytics specialist Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the QS Reimagine Education Awards celebrate innovative approaches that enhance teaching, learning, employability, and educational partnerships. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading awards for educational innovation, the programme recognises impactful initiatives that address contemporary challenges and shape the future of higher education.