Student Journey
Welcome to Lead for Life!

Want to get a taster experience of Lead for Life? Sign-up for our Taster Sessions on 23 or 31 August!
Apply now for the 2023/24 academic year cohort, exclusively for first-year undergraduate students. Our diverse community welcomes students from all backgrounds to join. Spaces are limited, so start your journey towards becoming a leader of character today! You can only apply to join at the start of your first year at HKU, so don’t miss the opportunity.
Applications to join Lead for Life 2023 are now open and will close on 18 September 2023.
Welcome to Lead for Life!

Want to get a taster experience of Lead for Life? Sign-up for our Taster Sessions on 23 or 31 August!
Apply now for the 2023/24 academic year cohort, exclusively for first-year undergraduate students. Our diverse community welcomes students from all backgrounds to join. Spaces are limited, so start your journey towards becoming a leader of character today! You can only apply to join at the start of your first year at HKU, so don’t miss the opportunity.
Applications to join Lead for Life 2023 are now open and will close on 18 September 2023.
Student Stories
Join Lead for Life, the University of Hong Kong’s character leadership certificate programme, and become part of a community committed to personal growth and flourishing. Explore your life’s purpose, develop character qualities and leadership skills, and serve the community. Hear from our students about the transformative impact that Lead for Life has had on their lives.
Our Journey
Join our four-year non-credit bearing certificate programme for undergraduates at the University of Hong Kong and earn a HKU character leadership certificate. Actively participate in your mentor group, complete one Lead for Life certified course, and undertake a service project during your journey. Go beyond the minimum requirements to maximize the programme’s benefits and graduate with distinction. Watch this video for an overview of what to expect.

Year 1: Identity in Community & Leadership
Year 1: Identity in Community & Leadership

Year 2: Service & Flourishing
In Year 2, immerse yourself in direct community service activities both individually and with your mentor group. These experiences will challenge you to step out of your comfort zones and develop your character leadership further. As you discover your own sense of purpose, you will have the opportunity to positively impact others and contribute to the building of flourishing communities.
We encourage the Lead for Life service project to be completed in Year 2, but we understand that circumstances may prevent this. If necessary, the service project can be completed any time between years two to four. We offer a range of service project options to choose from to match your interests and availability.

Year 2: Service & Flourishing

In Year 2, immerse yourself in direct community service activities both individually and with your mentor group. These experiences will challenge you to step out of your comfort zones and develop your character leadership further. As you discover your own sense of purpose, you will have the opportunity to positively impact others and contribute to the building of flourishing communities.
We encourage the Lead for Life service project to be completed in Year 2, but we understand that circumstances may prevent this. If necessary, the service project can be completed any time between years two to four. We offer a range of service project options to choose from to match your interests and availability.

Year 3: Global Leadership & Career
Year 3 provides an exciting opportunity to expand your horizons and explore how character leadership can make a positive impact in diverse cultures and contexts worldwide. You will deepen your understanding of character leadership and its relevance to your academic field and desired career path through a series of professional development workshops. Whether you choose to participate in study abroad programs or pursue career internships, Year 3 will help you prepare for your future as a character leader.
Year 3: Global Leadership & Career

Year 3 provides an exciting opportunity to expand your horizons and explore how character leadership can make a positive impact in diverse cultures and contexts worldwide. You will deepen your understanding of character leadership and its relevance to your academic field and desired career path through a series of professional development workshops. Whether you choose to participate in study abroad programs or pursue career internships, Year 3 will help you prepare for your future as a character leader.
Year 4: Giving Back & Going Out
In your final year, you may apply for our distinction track programme as an ‘HKU Leader of Character’ if you have surpassed the minimum programme requirements and demonstrated outstanding growth in character leadership. As part of your Year 4 experience, you will undergo training to serve as a peer mentor and character leadership student ambassador for the Lead for Life junior community. Additionally, you will have access to enhanced career coaching and internship opportunities, assisting you in preparing for your desired career path and becoming a character leader in your chosen profession after graduation. The graduation ceremony will mark this significant milestone in your journey, featuring a world-class speaker who embodies the spirit of character leadership. As you continue building flourishing communities in your chosen vocation and applying character leadership principles, remember that your journey does not end here!

Year 4: Giving Back & Going Out

In your final year, you may apply for our distinction track programme as an ‘HKU Leader of Character’ if you have surpassed the minimum programme requirements and demonstrated outstanding growth in character leadership. As part of your Year 4 experience, you will undergo training to serve as a peer mentor and character leadership student ambassador for the Lead for Life junior community. Additionally, you will have access to enhanced career coaching and internship opportunities, assisting you in preparing for your desired career path and becoming a character leader in your chosen profession after graduation. The graduation ceremony will mark this significant milestone in your journey, featuring a world-class speaker who embodies the spirit of character leadership. As you continue building flourishing communities in your chosen vocation and applying character leadership principles, remember that your journey does not end here!
Our Designated Courses & Modules
Please click on the thumbnails below for more information on our designated courses and modules.

A Life Worth Living
(CCHU9065 Arts & Humanities)

The Birth of the City and the Shaping of Societies
(CCGL9070 Global Issues)

The Love We Give and the Lies We Tell: The Ethics of Relationships
(CCHU9090 Arts & Humanities)

Science and Religion: Questioning Truth, Knowledge and Life
(CCHU9061 Arts & Humanities)

The Way to Success
by CEO Global Education Foundation

A Life Worth Living
(CCHU9065 Arts & Humanities)

The Birth of the City and the Shaping of Societies
(CCGL9070 Global Issues)

The Love We Give and the Lies We Tell: The Ethics of Relationships
(CCHU9090 Arts & Humanities)

Science and Religion: Questioning Truth, Knowledge and Life
(CCHU9061 Arts & Humanities)

The Way to Success
by CEO Global Education Foundation

A Life Worth Living
(CCHU9065 Arts & Humanities)

The Birth of the City and the Shaping of Societies
(CCGL9070 Global Issues)

The Love We Give and the Lies We Tell: The Ethics of Relationships
(CCHU9090 Arts & Humanities)

Science and Religion: Questioning Truth, Knowledge and Life
(CCHU9061 Arts & Humanities)

The Way to Success
by CEO Global Education Foundation
Photo Highlights
Inspiration from Global Speakers

Prof Zhang Xiang, HKU President & Vice-Chancellor (centre), with Prof Samson Tse, Dean of Student Affairs (right) and Prof Daniel Chua (left)

Abraham Chan, Temple Chambers

Eliza Chang, Cheng, Yeung & Co. Solicitors & Notaries

Dr Edward Brooks, Research Director, Virtues and Vocations Project, Oxford Character Project

Peter Ho, CEO Global

Connie Lam, Hong Kong Arts Centre

Dr Ng Tong Yow, Gleneagles Hospital

Alia Eyres, Mother's Choice

Joyce Tam, Goldman Sachs

Peter Wong, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

Jackie Pullinger, St Stephen's Society

Prof Pauline Chiu, Associate Vice President (Teaching & Learning), The University of Hong Kong

Dr Patrick Yip, Clinical Associate Professor of Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (left), with Prof Samson Tse, Dean of Student Affairs (right)

David Wong, Former Director of Audit of Hong Kong (left) and Patricia Ho, Hong Kong Dignity Institute (right)

Fr Laurence Freeman Laurence Freeman OSB, WCCM

Prof Richard Wong, HKU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Prof Daniel Chua

Alick Koo and Sarah Peterson, L4L mentors, with Steve Gaultney

Grace Poon and Thomas Egloff, L4L mentors, with Francis Tsui
Mentor Group Events

Cohort 2021, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 1

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2021, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1

Cohort 2021, Year 2

Cohort 2022, Year 1
Join Lead for Life!

Are you an incoming first-year undergraduate student at HKU? We warmly invite you to embark on a transformative journey with Lead for Life. You can only apply to join at the start of your first year at HKU, so don’t miss the opportunity. Join us and start your transformational journey today!
For questions or more information about the programme, please contact us.