Small Steps, Big Change: HKUST Staff, Alumni, and Partners Unite for a Cleaner Coastline
On 11th December last year, staff from HKUST, along with various corporate participants, came together for a Seafront Beach Clean-up Volunteering Service. This event, part of the Inter-Company Volunteer Week organized by Time Auction, showcased a strong spirit of collaboration and community engagement, emphasizing the collective effort to create a sustainable marine environment. Participants included staff from HKUST as well as representatives from HSBC, HKEX, Morgan Stanley, and HKUST alumni. The Inter-Company Volunteer Week engaged around 700 volunteers from 31 corporations, contributing over 2,000 hours to support various NGOs. Notably, HKUST was the only university participating in the event. Time Auction also organised the Impact Exchange: Inter-Company Volunteer Week Celebratory Event in late January demonstrating the powerful effect of cross-sector collaboration.
Prior to the beach clean-up, volunteers gathered at HKUST's Ocean Research Facility, an advanced center dedicated to frontier marine science research in Hong Kong and Southern China. Technical staff provided guided tours of the facilities, introducing participants to various marine species and the biodiversity of the local marine environment.
The presence of HKUST alumni among the inter-company partners highlighted the university's lasting impact on its graduates, fostering a sense of connection and shared purpose that extends beyond their time at the institution.
This event also underscored HKUST's commitment to employee well-being and community involvement. By collaborating with alumni and representatives from other organizations, staff members engaged in meaningful environmental action, seizing a unique opportunity to strengthen bonds. This collaboration reinforced the idea that sustainability is a shared responsibility, best addressed when communities unite.
Doug Wong, a staff volunteer from Information Technology Services Office expressed, “Small actions can create a big impact. Every piece of trash we pick up brings us closer to a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone to enjoy.” Another colleague Cassidy Tsang from Laboratory Animal Facility shared with us, “Participating in the beach clean-up reminded me of the impact we can have when we come together as a community. Every small effort counts in preserving our coastlines for ocean life and also future generations. I encourage everyone to give back to nature.” Their dedications to sustainability resonated throughout the event, empowering volunteers and motivating them to inspire others in their networks.
The beach clean-up served as a reminder of the importance of conserving local biodiversity and the role each individual can play. Volunteers’ contributions extend beyond a one-time activity; they foster an environmentally conscious network, connecting individuals committed to making a lasting difference.
The HKUST Sustainability/Net-Zero Office remains dedicated to collaborating with the Human Resources Office to support future staff volunteering initiatives and encourages everyone to stay engaged. By participating in such activities, staff members can continue to positively impact our local community. Stay tuned for our future events.
Check out our latest video introducing the special leave policy supporting staff volunteering activities and the opportunities available at Time Auction. Click here now.
