To encourage students to actively participate in community services and increase their concern about  social issues, Moon Chun Memorial College, University of Macau cooperated with Pou Tai Youth and Family Integrated Service Center to launch a service-learning project for parenting education from January to April, 2023. The purpose of the project is to promote the cognition of paternal role and increase the paternal participation in parenting. Paternal involvement is an important task in future parent education, so this service-learning project is especially supported by Seac Pai Van Official School and Macao Library and Information Management Association.

This service-learning project was hosted and trained by college’s non-resident fellow, Prof. Nai-hua LIU (Faculty of Education), and supported by resident fellow, Ms. Alice Hong, who assisted 14 students in implementing the service plan. Before providing services, participants received 20 hours of professional training, including picture book teaching, drama in education, family education, parenting education planning and implementation methods. Students from different faculties wrote service proposals under the guidance of Prof. Liu, and tried to apply the knowledge and skills they learned during the service period. Service-learning focuses on application of academic knowledge and personal reflection. Therefore, during the service period, Prof. Liu gave guidance to students and led service reflection for each session. After the service, each student needs to complete a personal learning portfolio to integrate the knowledge learned.

During the eight-week service-learning project, students have improved their knowledge integration competency, as well as service and leadership competency through professional knowledge learning, service provision and personal reflection. Among the participants, Jenny Chan, Amy Wong, Katherine Yang, Joana Zhu, Wolf Lei and Cathy Chen  exhibited excellent service and leadership, and were awarded outstanding service certificates.

Participants receiving professional training at the college

Participants providing paternal parenting education service in the community

Group photos of service-learning project team members