A Happy University Initiative in Hong Kong

Abstract

Happy university becomes a topic of interest across worldwide media and researches. What is “happy university”? How to be a “happy university”? Some suggest that if students are studying in the university with a sense of satisfaction, the likelihood of having happy university life will be increased. The university is thus regarded as a happy university. Some determine a happy university by student’s well-being. Happiness of students indicates “happy university.” For a modern city, Hong Kong, the determinants have yet to be defined. What do the university students feel about their university? Are the local universities entitled “happy university”? The determinants of happiness of local university students are investigated. The chapter explores the influence of the current education towards happiness among students of higher education. Previous studies suggest that mental issues and academic overload are the key determinants of students’ happiness. Countless efforts have been spent on the preventive measures to improve mental status of students while reducing the adverse impacts of academic overload on students. However, mental issues and academic overload are still commonly found. A pilot study has found that happy life, health condition, academic work and social relationship are significantly associated. In addition, attributes of the current educational systems such as academic achievement-oriented values and intensive competitions among universities and students are highlighted. Re-articulation of university values and introduction of reaching-out supportive programmes will be discussed.