Professor Kathy Kar Man Shum and JC PandA Team Receive Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award 2025
Professor Kathy KM Shum and her team behind the JC PandA – Jockey Club “Peace and Awareness” Mindfulness Culture in Schools Initiative – have been honoured with the Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award 2025 in recognition of their exceptional project and impactful achievements.
Mental health among Hong Kong’s students and teachers remains a critical public concern. With the growing emphasis on positive education, which prioritises well-being and flourishing, JC PandA was launched in 2019 by the Faculty of Social Sciences, generously funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The initiative aims to foster a mindfulness culture within schools, supporting the holistic well-being of the entire school community.
JC PandA stands out as one of the pioneering large-scale mindfulness projects in Chinese societies, exploring the benefits of mindfulness interventions for both students and educators. As an innovative combination of intervention and research, the project not only enhances current educational practices but also contributes valuable knowledge to the field of mindfulness.
“I am deeply grateful to be part of this meaningful initiative to foster mindfulness in Hong Kong’s school communities. Witnessing the transformative impact on students, educators, and school cultures has been the most fulfilling aspect of this work. The Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award reaffirmed the importance of bridging research with real-world practice — turning insights into tangible strategies that nurture well-being and resilience in young learners. None of this would be possible without the dedication of my colleagues, school partners, and the broader community, whose shared commitment inspires me daily. Moving forward, I hope to continue strengthening these collaborations, driving positive change through mindfulness education, and creating learning environments where every individual can thrive.” – Professor Kathy KM Shum, Principal Investigator, JC PandA
“We began our project in 2019, a challenging time for Hong Kong, marked by social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. It might have seemed like an inauspicious moment to start. However, in reflection, I believe we launched at a time when students, teachers, and parents needed support more than ever. Over the past six years, we have made significant strides in promoting their mental health. Our train-the-trainers approach has empowered numerous educators to integrate mindfulness into their teaching. The resources we developed — such as mobile apps and films — have benefited not only educational stakeholders but also the broader public. I am deeply grateful to work alongside a wonderful and dedicated team. The Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award is a testament to their excellence and unwavering commitment.” – Professor Shui Fong Lam, Founding Director, JC PandA
Learn more about JC PandA in an exclusive interview with Principal Investigator, Professor Kathy KM Shum, and Founding Director, Professor Shui Fong Lam HERE
The Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award celebrates outstanding achievements in knowledge exchange within each faculty, recognising projects that have generated significant economic, social, or cultural impact benefiting communities, businesses, industries, or partner organisations.