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!

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.

“As an international student in Hong Kong, it is genuinely heartwarming to be welcomed. I am delighted to have met my fellow mentees and mentors. I definitely felt the hospitality of each member, and I am very happy to be one of the team—a community of talents seeking success by proportional growth through wholesome interactions.”

“Lead for Life directed me on my way of growing up. It is great to have friends and mentors.”

“I enjoyed the gatherings and outings organised by the mentors that helped me to relax and learnt a lot about how to go through hardships. I was inspired by the mentors’ stories and wanted to devote myself to the community."

“It is undoubtedly a memorable experience for me to participate in the L4L during the past year. I believe it has helped me to grow my character leadership and make me connected with more kind souls. Hopefully, we can continue in this way, and one day I can do the same for others.”

“Lead for Life mentors are all excellent and you could learn a lot from them. Even just listening to their stories is a somewhat interesting experience.”

“As the student leader in my own group, I find myself polishing my leadership skills through organising meetings and gatherings. Albeit our hectic schedules, I am glad to be supported by my mentors who are both inspiring me to be a good leader just like them, and I am utterly grateful for that.”

“I'm grateful to have the opportunity as a Lead for Life student. The activities are very meaningful, and it gives me a good opportunity to communicate and connect with many people with different personalities and backgrounds. I enjoyed my first year at the Lead for Life family.”

“Lead for Life has transformed how I view my life, and how I interact with people in my community. Our team reflected upon ideas and discussed different views during reunions, mentor group events, and casual meetings. Applying the lessons I learned made me a better, more courageous, and more caring person. I really appreciate this opportunity and I hope that more students can embark on the same journey.”

“The vision of L4L is amazing! I learnt a lot of theoretical and practical knowledge and skills about character leadership! I hope to have more opportunities to dig deeper into character leadership, such as doing research, projects, discussion with peers, etc. I think this serves as a chance for us to learn and foster relationships. I’m really grateful for having my mentors put their efforts and time to organize gatherings and pass their knowledge to us!”

“A safe and supporting place to share and grow.”

"I especially enjoyed being able to meet the mentors and hear of their life experiences; it was helpful to hear how they overcame their struggles and comforting to know that they experienced the same uncertainties when they were our age."

“I'm really glad that I decided to join Lead for Life as I felt that I have been able to grow alongside equally motivated and lovely people.”

“Lead for Life certainly taught me how to be a better leader who leads with character, as well as what service as a privilege means. I am really grateful for the transformation in my attitude in serving both as a leader and as a member of the society.”

“I was delighted that I could put my learning into practice in the L4L service project. I was more empathetic and patient after the project, and my experience serving the community has certainly helped me become a better leader. In the future, I hope I can use what I have learned in L4L to make a positive impact on the community by serving the underprivileged. No matter which path I eventually choose, I believe the skills and, more importantly, the attitudes I have learned here at L4L will be valuable.”

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

Welcome to Year 1! This year, you will embark on a journey of self-discovery and explore the importance of belonging to a community of virtue with your mentor group. Upon acceptance to the programme, your Lead for Life journey will continue with an orientation programme where you will meet your mentors and fellow students. You will be part of a mentor group consisting of around ten students from diverse backgrounds. Under the guidance of two mentors, you’ll explore practical and engaging ways to address important questions about purpose and flourishing. We require students to attend at least one mentoring event each semester throughout the four years, but we strongly encourage more frequent and regular participation. Building flourishing communities takes time and commitment, and you will gain the most benefit from the journey the more you put in.

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

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 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

Our Designated Courses & Modules

Please click on the thumbnails below for more information on our designated courses and modules.

Courses

Modules

Courses

Modules

Photo Highlights

Inspiration from Global Speakers

HKU president talking to students — **2021 Inaugural Launch**
Prof Zhang Xiang, HKU President & Vice-Chancellor (centre), with Prof Samson Tse, Dean of Student Affairs (right) and Prof Daniel Chua (left)

**2021 Inaugural Launch**
Abraham Chan, Temple Chambers

**2021 Inaugural Launch**
Eliza Chang, Cheng, Yeung & Co. Solicitors & Notaries

**2022 Midyear Reunion**
Dr Edward Brooks, Research Director, Virtues and Vocations Project, Oxford Character Project

**2022 Midyear Reunion**
Peter Ho, CEO Global

**2022 Midyear Reunion**
Connie Lam, Hong Kong Arts Centre

**2022 Midyear Reunion**
Dr Ng Tong Yow, Gleneagles Hospital

**2022 Midyear Reunion**
Alia Eyres, Mother's Choice

**2022 Midyear Reunion**
Joyce Tam, Goldman Sachs

**2022 Yearend Celebration**
Peter Wong, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

**Cohort 2021 Year 2 Launch**
Jackie Pullinger, St Stephen's Society

**Cohort 2022 Year 1 Launch**
Prof Pauline Chiu, Associate Vice President (Teaching & Learning), The University of Hong Kong

Dr Patrick Yip and Prof Samson Tse — **Cohort 2022 Year 1 Launch**
Dr Patrick Yip, Clinical Associate Professor of Department of Paediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (left), with Prof Samson Tse, Dean of Student Affairs (right)

David Wong and Patricia Ho — **Cohort 2022 Year 1 Launch**
David Wong, Former Director of Audit of Hong Kong (left) and Patricia Ho, Hong Kong Dignity Institute (right)

**2023 Midyear Reunion**
Fr Laurence Freeman Laurence Freeman OSB, WCCM

**2023 Yearend Celebration**
Prof Richard Wong, HKU Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor

**2023 Yearend Celebration**
Prof Daniel Chua

Steve and 2 mentors — **2023 Yearend Celebration**
Alick Koo and Sarah Peterson, L4L mentors, with Steve Gaultney

two mentors — **2023 Yearend Celebration**
Grace Poon and Thomas Egloff, L4L mentors, with Francis Tsui

Mentor Group Events

Hospitality21 year 1 — **Team Hospitality**
Cohort 2021, Year 1

team Curiosity — **Team Curiosity**
Cohort 2021, Year 1

Loyalty21 year 2 — **Team Loyalty**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Patience21 year 2 — **Team Patience**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Joy21 year 2 mentor group photo — **Team Joy**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Hope22 year 1 — **Team Hope**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Resilience22 year 1 — **Team Resilience**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

team love — **Team Love**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Courage22 year 1 — **Team Courage**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Hope21 year 2 — **Team Hope**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Resilience21 year 2 — **Team Resilience**
Cohort 2021, Year 1

Wisdom22 year 1 — **Team Wisdom**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Loyalty22 year 1 — **Team Loyalty**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Honesty21 year 2 — **Team Honesty**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Gentleness22 year 1 — **Team Gentleness**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Humility21 year 2 — **Team Humility**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Thankfulness22 year 1 — **Team Thankfulness**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Gentleness21 year 2 — **Team Gentleness**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Honesty22 year 1 — **Team Honesty**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Thankfulness21 year 2 — **Team Thankfulness**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Respect21 year 2 — **Team Respect**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Generosity22 year 1 — **Team Generosity**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Integrity21 year 2 — **Team Integrity**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Peace21 year 2 — **Team Peace**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Kindness21 year 2 — **Team Kindness**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Encouragement21 year 2 — **Team Encouragement**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Integrity22 year 1 — **Team Integrity**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Curiosity21 year 2 — **Team Curiosity**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Courage21 year 1 — **Team Courage**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Patience22 year 1 — **Team Patience**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Hospitality22 year 1 — **Team Hospitality**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Generosity21 year 2 — **Team Generosity**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Passion21 year 2 — **Team Passion**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Thankfulness21 year 1 — **Team Thankfulness**
Cohort 2021, Year 1

Hospitality21 year 2 — **Team Hospitality**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Respect22 year 1 — **Team Respect**
Cohort 2022, Year 1

Love21 year 2 — **Team Love**
Cohort 2021, Year 2

Compassion22 year 1 — **Team Compassion**
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.

#HKULeadForLife

#HKULeadForLife

Student Journey

Welcome to Lead for Life!​

Welcome to Lead for Life!​

Student Stories

Our Journey

Year 1: Identity in Community & Leadership​

Year 1: Identity in Community & Leadership​

Year 2: Service & Flourishing​​

Year 2: Service & Flourishing​​

Year 3: Global Leadership & Career​​

Year 3: Global Leadership & Career​​

Year 4: Giving Back & Going Out​

Year 4: Giving Back & Going Out​

Our Designated Courses & Modules

Photo Highlights

Inspiration from Global Speakers

Mentor Group Events

Join Lead for Life!

#HKULeadForLife

SITE MAP

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

A Life Worth Living

The Birth of the City and the Shaping of Societies

The Love We Give and the Lies We Tell: The Ethics of Relationships

Science and Religion: Questioning Truth, Knowledge and Life

The Way To Success

Quiet Leadership

Really Useful Stuff

Forgiveness

Welcome to Lead for Life!

Welcome to Lead for Life!

Year 1: Identity in Community & Leadership

Year 1: Identity in Community & Leadership

Year 2: Service & Flourishing

Year 2: Service & Flourishing

Year 3: Global Leadership & Career

Year 3: Global Leadership & Career

Year 4: Giving Back & Going Out

Year 4: Giving Back & Going Out

The Love We Give and the Lies We Tell:
The Ethics of Relationships

Science and Religion:
Questioning Truth, Knowledge and Life