Hong Kong Polytechnic University and UPM’s College of Nursing Strengthen Partnership Through Second Service Learning Program

June 09, 2026

Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos courtesy of UP College of Nursing

College of Nursing Students from Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK PolyU) and UP Manila engage an elderly resident of Barangay 178 in a memory game activity as part of the Service Learning Program 2026.

The University of the Philippines Manila College of Nursing (UPCN), through its Office of International and Local Linkages (OILL), and Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK PolyU) successfully conducted the second year of their Service Learning Program from May 25 to 29, 2026.

A total of 58 faculty members and students from both universities participated in the five-day program, which focused on assessing the physical, cognitive, and nutritional health of senior citizens in Barangays 711, 712, 713, 718, and 720 in Manila, as well as residents of Hospicio de San Jose. The program aimed to promote healthy aging among older adults in the city through community engagement and cross-cultural learning.

The initiative forms part of the continuing partnership between UPCN and HK PolyU, one of the college’s key international collaborators in student exchanges, research capacity building, and community engagement activities.

Service learning is an experiential learning approach that integrates academic instruction with meaningful community service. Through this model, students apply their classroom knowledge and clinical skills to address community needs while gaining a deeper understanding of social responsibility and civic engagement. For nursing students, service learning offers valuable opportunities to work directly with communities, promote health and wellness, and develop the competencies, empathy, and cultural sensitivity needed in professional practice.

The service learning activities included house-to-house visits, one-on-one interactions with older adults, administration of standardized cognitive assessments, and the conduct of individual and group health education sessions. These activities emphasized the importance of proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and cognitive exercises in supporting healthy aging.

Beyond health assessments, the students facilitated memory games, peer dialogue sessions, and socialization activities that encouraged active participation among senior citizens. Through these engagements, participants gained valuable experiences in teamwork, cultural exchange, communication, and interprofessional collaboration while deepening their appreciation of empathy, respect for diversity, social responsibility, and civic engagement.

The program was guided by UPCN faculty members Asst. Prof. Laurence Lloyd Parial, coordinator of the UPCN Office of International and Local Linkages; Assoc. Prof. Earl Francis Sumile; Asst. Prof. La. Arnie Lazalita; Asst. Prof. Jan Vincent Delos Santos; and Asst. Prof. Erickson Bernardo. They worked closely with HK PolyU faculty members Dr. Patrick Kor and Dr. Anjo Lu, together with Service Learning Officer Mr. Dawit Debesai.