In elaborating the College motto "Make One's Virtues Shine and Renew the People", United College strives to serve the people of Hong Kong, China and the world, through integrative education, pastoral care, and in the moral and spiritual enhancement of our students. The College places strong emphasis on studying Hong Kong issues and on the development of future leaders for our community. Many United College graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in Hong Kong's political, economic, social and cultural arenas.
United College places strong emphasis on whole-person education and broadening the perspective of its students and enhancing their sense of social responsibility. Our Distinguished Visiting Scholar Lectures, Annual Workshop and College Assemblies provide intellectual stimuli to both students and staff. The Budding Scholars Exchange Programme, launched in 1989, provides a good opportunity for students to interchange with their peers from universities around the world. The College also has exchange agreements with Williams College and San Diego State University in the US, Soka University in Japan, Oulu University in Finland and Sung Kyun Kwan University in South Korea. The College established the Tien Chi Microcomputer Laboratory, then the first of its kind on the University campus, in 1985, and the Choi Koon Shum General Education Resource Centre in 1995. In addition to the Project for Promoting Bilingual Skills, the College launched the Language Enhancement Programme in 1996 to strengthen student language skills. The Programme provides training courses in Chinese languages and English, and has been well received by students. Students may further improve their language skills through participation in language and cultural progammes, including overseas study trips.
A wide range of activities, including a Students Union and interest groups, leadership training, social services and incentive schemes, the United College Mr Fung Sun Kwan Whole Person Development Award Programme, the Shum Choi Sang Mentorship Programme, the Group Sense Innovation and Entrepreneurial Project Award Programme, the United College Toastmasters Club, organic farming and environmental protection, drama, debate, art and cultural activities and health series are organised. Through participation in these activities, students develop and improve their personal and social qualities. To keep pace with globalisation, the College organises many exchange activities under the Globe-oriented Active Learning (GOAL) Programme. Students are given opportunities to take part in overseas study tours and exchange programmes so that they can learn to live and interact with people from different parts of the world.
The College offers a wide range of scholarships and awards for students who deliver outstanding performances in academic studies, sports and extracurricular activities. Scholarships are also available for eligible students to pursue postgraduate studies overseas. To broaden their international outlook, each year the College provides financial subsidies to over 370 students, enabling them to participate in overseas study trips and exchange programmes. To encourage students with financial difficulties to actively participate in college activities while studying, the College has also offered a Hostel Residence Grant since 2007-08, to provide subsidies for students to meet hostel fees. In 2008-09, the total amount of College scholarships, awards and financial aid was approaching $10 million, the highest among all Colleges of the University.
The College has established the Dr Thomas Cheung Tutorial Scheme to provide pastoral care to students who can vent their feelings, share their experience and help each other in a web-based tutorial setting. The College also promotes moral education through the Mr Shum Wai Yau Moral Education Scheme.
United College is situated on a beautiful campus graced with a cascade and artwork by celebrated artists. The College has expanded in the last few years with the completion of the Si Yuan Amenities Centre in December 2001, providing pub and karaoke facilities to University members. The Chan Chun Ha Hostel — the fourth student hostel of the College — was completed in August 2004. The Adam Schall Residence and Hang Seng Hall underwent major renovation and spatial re-organisation in the summer of 2007. The four hostels can now accomodate 1,267 students. To ensure a smoke-free and environmental friendly campus, United College conducted a campus improvement project in summer 2005. The project included the redesign of the landscape, relocation of carpark and paving project, etc. The Si Yuan Amphitheatre, an open-air, 350-seat arena to stage cultural activities, was opened on 15 September 2006.