More than 130 elder students from the U3A (“University of 3rd Age”) Network began their journey today (9 October 2018) that will transform them into green ambassadors to help promote energy efficiency and environmental protection in the community.
Jointly organised by HK Electric and the Hong Kong Council of Social Services (HKCSS), the Smart Power Ambassadors Training Programme covers a host of environmental topics including climate change and low-carbon living, recycling and waste reduction, tree preservation, energy efficiency and conservation, green electricity generation as well as the safe use of electricity.
The programme consists of a basic and an advanced course. Apart from classroom teaching and workshops, participants will be visiting HK Electric's Lamma Power Station, EMSD Gallery and Zero Carbon Building to understand up close and personal the latest developments on clean energy, green buildings and electric vehicles.
Addressing today's launching ceremony, Operations Director of HK Electric, Mr. Francis Cheng, said: “Through this training programme, we will equip our seniors with knowledge so that they can help promote green awareness in the community. We also hope that they will help introduce the various smart power services and funding schemes we will be introducing later this year to their friends and families.”
“Being a responsible power utility, HK Electric is dedicated to minimising the impact of electricity generation on the environment, and has been keen on green education. For more than 14 years, the Company has been promoting energy efficiency through the Smart Power Campaign while working with HKCSS for more than 12 years on the U3A project promoting life-long learning and community service,” Mr. Cheng noted.
Mr. Cheng added that HK Electric would put in more resources next year and include the U3A seniors in our green education so that people of different age groups would be able to learn more about and help promote environmental protection.
Besides using more natural gas for electricity generation, HK Electric would encourage the use of renewable energy and promote energy efficiency and low-carbon living through the upcoming Smart Power Services, supporting the transformation of Hong Kong into a Smart City, Mr. Cheng said.
Chief Executive of the HKCSS, Mr. Chua Hoi-wai, said, “This Smart Power Ambassadors Training Programme provides an excellent platform for U3A students to learn, share on and practise green living. We would love to see how students who successfully complete the course will help spread green messages and bring about positive changes to society. We look forward to recognising outstanding ambassadors for missions completed at the U3A Completion Ceremony early next year."
The U3A project is supported by the HK Electric Centenary Trust and co-ordinated by HKCSS. Elderly service agencies receive funding to run self-learning centres that provide courses conducted by the elderly for the elderly. Since its inception 12 years ago, more than 6,600 such courses have been arranged, providing more than 108,000 learning opportunities for local retirees. For more details on U3A and the Smart Power Ambassadors Training Programme, visit www.u3a.org.hk, or contact HKCSS at 2864 2957.