Fifteen HKBU students joined the “Kayak for Marine Service” programme organised by the Leadership Qualities Centre of the Office of Student Affairs in October and November. The programme was sponsored by the Kowloon City District Youth Programme Committee.

The students learnt fundamental kayaking skills and techniques for providing marine services at three training sessions in October. This included paddling skills, raft manoeuvres, capsize training and the application of different rescue techniques. After the completion of their training, they paddled their kayaks to Sharp Island and Yim Tin Tsai in Sai Kung on 6 and 20 November to collect the rubbish left by visitors. Approximately 50 kilograms of rubbish – including plastic bags, foam boxes, fishing nets, pipes, glass bottles and bits of metal – was brought back to the kayak training base and disposed of at the refuse collection point near Tai Wan.  

To promote the importance of environmental protection, the students initiated the “Save the Sea” campaign on campus in late November. Exhibition and game booths were set up to help fellow students understand the hazardous impact of human activities on marine species, and it also encouraged them to fight against marine pollution together.