Driven by her desire to develop preventive measures to improve the well-being of the people in Hong Kong, Jasmine Shu-Kay Choi applied for the HSBC Social Work Scholarship. From her initial goal of becoming a professional social worker, Jasmine would soon be transported onto an adventurous path of learning and sharing after being granted the scholarship in 2006.
From earning a master’s degree in social work at The University of Hong Kong to developing a positive education initiative that subsequently won the Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence, from founding her organization grounded in applied positive psychology to being sought out as a project consultant and guest lecturer at universities, Jasmine credits the HSBC Scholarship for enabling her to build the capacity, knowledge, and skills to build a more sustainable and resilient society for Hong Kong.
Read this impact story to learn more about Jasmine and her consequential work in mainstreaming positive education at local schools, enabled by her HSBC Social Work Scholarship.
When you applied for the HSBC Social Work Scholarship, what did you set out to achieve?
When I initially applied, my primary goal was to become a professional social worker dedicated to meeting the needs of our service users, a goal that remains unchanged to this day. My early experiences working directly with clients seeking remedial help have inspired me to focus on developing preventive measures to improve their lives.
This passion led me to earn a master’s degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 during the pandemic, making me the only social worker in Hong Kong with this qualification. My current aim is to expand my professional knowledge in this field, adapt its application to the local context, and collaborate with like-minded individuals to enhance the well-being of people in Hong Kong.
Reflecting on your time as an HSBC Scholar, what was your greatest learning experience that contributed to your personal or professional growth?
During my studies for a Master of Social Work at The University of Hong Kong, I was able to equip myself with up-to-date knowledge and practical field applications from renowned professors, who made immense contributions in leading field development by producing evidence-based interventions and transferring knowledge to frontline workers, all while caring for their students. This has significantly impacted my knowledge, attitude, and skills, both professionally and personally.
What is the most memorable part of your journey as an HSBC Scholar?
As a mature student pursuing a part-time degree, I attended evening lectures for three hours three times a week, along with a 900-hour placement, for three years from 2005-2008. During those three years, I also got married and later became pregnant in the last few months before graduation. I can’t believe I made it through with flying colors! Receiving the scholarship was such an honor and a recognition of my effort, achievement, and commitment.
What support have you received through the HSBC Scholarship Program, and how has this assisted you in reaching your professional goals?
The scholarship alleviated my financial burden, allowing me to switch from a full-time to a part-time job so I could focus more on my master’s degree. It gave me the peace of mind to pursue my dream of becoming a registered social worker after having a different first degree.
In what ways do you believe the HSBC Scholarship has equipped you to make a positive impact in your community?
In around 2015-17, I had the opportunity to work with the Positive Education Laboratory at the City University of Hong Kong as the project leader to offer strategic advice to the principal of Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary School. I designed professional training for the teachers, delivered workshops to the parents, and developed a curriculum for the P1-6 students by applying the PERMA-H wellbeing model to bring authentic happiness to the school and families. The project was significantly beneficial and won the Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence. Since then, the application of positive education has started to expand to many more schools in Hong Kong. I am grateful that I was able to use my social work skills to listen to and assess my clients’ needs, to design and develop effective implementation plans, and to align our frontline service with research design to make a difference in our education system.
Are you currently involved in any social impact initiatives? How do they align with the values you embrace as an HSBC Scholar?
In 2013, I founded my own organization, Make Positive, dedicated to improving people’s well-being through applied positive psychology. I provide training to school teachers, parents, and students from over 200 kindergartens and tertiary institutions, as well as private, public, and non-profit organizations such as the Vocational Training Council and the Legislative Council. In total, I have helped over 20,000 participants discover, explore, and apply their character strengths and find practical ways to thrive emotionally, socially, mentally, and physically.
As a parent who works from home, I also genuinely apply what I preach in my family. I have developed a program to teach parents how to apply positive education at home, which focuses on more than practising positive discipline, but also learning how to help their children grow up happily and healthily while taking good care of their own well-being too.
How do you intend to apply the lessons and skills you have gained as an HSBC Scholar to build a more sustainable and resilient society for Hong Kong?
I have been invited to be a guest lecturer at universities and involved in Hong Kong Jockey Club projects, most recently in KeySteps Project, where I share my expertise in developing positive psychology and positive education applications in Hong Kong and I am responsible for its train-the-trainer feature of the project.
In previous years, I taught a 13-week module at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) to in-service teachers on applying positive education at school. As a consultant currently working with CityU, I offer advice on developing a strengths-based parenting program.
It has been meaningful to transfer my 16 years of knowledge and experience to build a more sustainable and resilient society for Hong Kong. In the future, I am open to embracing any opportunities to share evidence-based strategies on how we can form healthy habits and leverage our character strengths for a flourishing life.
