JMSC Summer Programme — Media Summer School
Taught by a team of award-winning journalists and media professionals, the inaugural Media Summer School programme offers an immersive and practical experience for students interested in business, arts & culture, film, and sports through the lens of media. In addition to certificates of completion, participants will graduate with essential skills for multimedia storytelling.
Module Overview
Module 1: Introduction to the World of Business Media
- Understand the symbiotic relationship between media and business.
- Gain a thorough understanding of the function of corporate communications and how it interacts with business media.
- Develop critical-thinking skills in analyzing business news.
- Learn basic production and storytelling skills for real-world business media scenarios.
Field trips:
- AFP, NowTV, Phoenix TV, Reuters, South China Morning Post
- Google, HK and Clearing Ltd (HKEX), HK Financial Services Development Council, Meta, Foreign Correspondents' Club Hong Kong
- HKSAR Legislative Council
- Asia Society Hong Kong Centre
Media Summer School Module 1 graduation ceremony hosted at Asia Society Hong Kong Centre on 12 July 2024
Media Summer School Module 2 graduation ceremony hosted at HKU on 19 July 2024
Module 2: Arts, Cultural, and Film Appreciation Through the Lens of Media
- Acquire a fresh outlook on arts, cultural and film appreciation through the lens of media.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the roles and functions of arts and culture in the marketplace.
- Utilize critical-thinking skills to assess the media's influence on cultural narratives.
- Learn basic production and storytelling skills to craft stories on subject matters.
Field trips
- M+
- HK Heritage Museum, HK Museum of Arts, HK Palace Museum, Tai Kwun
- Jao Tsung-I Academy, Link Sustainability Lab, PPO Library, The Mills
Module 3: Introduction to the World of Sports Journalism and Business of Sports
- Explore the type and dynamics of sports media in a global context.
- Understand basic business strategies driving the sports industry.
- Gain insight into sports marketing and communication.
- Learn basic production and storytelling skills to craft stories on sports.
Field trips:
- B-Active — HKU Centre for Sports Sport and Exercise
- HK Velodrome, Kai Tak Sports Park Experience Centre
- Jockey Club Kitchee Centre
- HK Stadium
Media Summer School Module 3 graduation ceremony hosted at HKU on 26 July 2024
Module 1: Introduction to the World of Business Media
- Understand the symbiotic relationship between media and business.
- Gain a thorough understanding of the function of corporate communications and how it interacts with business media.
- Develop critical-thinking skills in analyzing business news.
- Learn basic production and storytelling skills for real-world business media scenarios.
Field trips:
- AFP, NowTV, Phoenix TV, Reuters, South China Morning Post
- Google, HK and Clearing Ltd (HKEX), HK Financial Services Development Council, Meta, Foreign Correspondents' Club Hong Kong
- HKSAR Legislative Council
- Asia Society Hong Kong Centre
Media Summer School Module 1 graduation ceremony hosted at Asia Society Hong Kong Centre on 12 July 2024
Module 2: Arts, Cultural, and Film Appreciation Through the Lens of Media
- Acquire a fresh outlook on arts, cultural and film appreciation through the lens of media.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the roles and functions of arts and culture in the marketplace.
- Utilize critical-thinking skills to assess the media's influence on cultural narratives.
- Learn basic production and storytelling skills to craft stories on subject matters.
Field trips
- M+
- HK Heritage Museum, HK Museum of Arts, HK Palace Museum, Tai Kwun
- Jao Tsung-I Academy, Link Sustainability Lab, PPO Library, The Mills
Media Summer School Module 2 graduation ceremony hosted at HKU on 19 July 2024
Module 3: Introduction to the World of Sports Journalism and Business of Sports
- Explore the type and dynamics of sports media in a global context.
- Understand basic business strategies driving the sports industry.
- Gain insight into sports marketing and communication.
- Learn basic production and storytelling skills to craft stories on sports.
Field trips:
- B-Active — HKU Centre for Sports Sport and Exercise
- HK Velodrome, Kai Tak Sports Park Experience Centre
- Jockey Club Kitchee Centre
- HK Stadium
Media Summer School Module 3 graduation ceremony hosted at HKU on 26 July 2024
What students and guest lecturers shared about our summer programme
Understanding media coverage of art and culture helps young people develop critical thinking skills. They learn to analyse information, question sources, and form their own opinions rather than passively accepting what they're told.
Chung-wah Chow, Writer and Co-founder of Walk in Hong Kong
Despite my initial apprehension about being in a big class, I found that such a classroom setting is an effective way to learn more from people with different thoughts and backgrounds.
Media Summer School Student, Ivy Qian
Sharing my experiences and insights, I hope I was able to inspire and inform some of the future sports media professionals.
MJ 2010, Daniel Pordes, Co-founder and Director of Backheel Media
Everyone was free to interpret the teachings in their own ways and share their ideas.
Media Summer School Student, Zhou Jiabo
‘Five-star experience’: JMSC’s Media Summer School introduce young students to world of journalism
The JMSC held its inaugural Media Summer School from 8 to 26 July, featuring lectures and workshops, expert guest speakers, and field visits to leading newsrooms, museums, and business organisations.
The innovative programme, consisting of three modules in business, arts and culture, and sports, attracted more than 240 participants. They hailed from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, and even countries as far as Belgium and Canada.
Over the course of three weeks, the youngsters learned the basics of storytelling, photography, filmmaking, fact-checking, AI, and the media business from veteran journalists, media professionals, and industry experts.
At the end of each module, the students showcased their creativity in the final group projects, using newly learned tools.
“I was amazed by the enthusiasm the young students had for journalism,” said JMSC Director Ruby Yang. “They took their final presentations seriously, and some of the projects were creative, thoughtful, and fun. I loved the energy these young people brought to the classes.”
Fun and creative presentations
Ivy Qian Duowen, who took all of the three modules, said the programme far surpassed her expectations. “It has been a five-star experience of my life,” she said.
For their group project, the 16-year-old secondary school student from Hong Kong and her teammates produced a rap music video, with the help of Suno AI app. “GOAT Talk,” an entertaining and humorous take on rival soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonard Messi, won the first prize in Module 3’s project competition.
For Module 2, Ivy and her friends channeled their K-pop obsession into creating a dance music video shot at cultural venues M+, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and The Mills, inspired by aespa’s hit song “Next Level.” It won the second prize in the contest that week.
She also tried her hand at cricket in class, guided by Ayush Shukla, a top bowler from the Hong Kong men’s national cricket team.
Taste of campus learning
Zhou Jiabo, a high school student from Guangzhou, said the summer school gave him a taste of a university classroom environment where students were encouraged to openly discuss ideas.
“Everyone was free to interpret the teachings in their own ways and share their ideas,” said the 16-year-old.
Chanthida Doch, a third-year student at the American University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, said she appreciated “being mentored by seasoned professionals in Hong Kong's fast-paced environment.”
Li Yuezhen, another high school student from Guangzhou, said in addition to learning journalism skills like conducting interviews and photography, she loved the diversity of the participants. “It is so nice to know people from different cultures,” she said.
Curious and eager students
The students also earned praise from guest lecturers.
Jamie Hitchmough, high performance development manager at HKU B-Active fitness centre, said he was impressed by the students’ curious sense of learning.
“They were confident to answer questions, and it was also good to see that they weren’t afraid to give the wrong answer,” Hitchmough said.
“The students were very engaged, curious and asked excellent questions,” said Anne Marie Roantree, Hong Kong bureau chief of Thomson Reuters – one of the media organisations the students visited.
“It was great to see such a diverse group of students eager to see and learn how stories are put together.”
MJ grad coming full circle
“I had a full circle moment,” said Daniel Pordes (MJ 2010), co-founder and director of Backheel Media, who gave a talk about his career in sports media. “Sharing my experiences and insights, I hope I was able to inspire and inform some of the future sports media professionals.”
He also enjoyed watching the students’ presentations. “The effort and creativity they put in was clear to see… [such as] a rap about Ronaldo and Messi!”
The participants said they had a memorable experience and formed precious friendships.
“Working in a group taught us to be social, cooperate with each other and make friends, I will never forget the 12 of us [teammates] eating McDonald’s and discussing our group project,” Ivy said.
Understanding media coverage of art and culture helps young people develop critical thinking skills. They learn to analyse information, question sources, and form their own opinions rather than passively accepting what they're told.
Chung-wah Chow, Writer and Co-founder of Walk in Hong Kong
Despite my initial apprehension about being in a big class, I found that such a classroom setting is an effective way to learn more from people with different thoughts and backgrounds.
Media Summer School Student, Ivy Qian
Sharing my experiences and insights, I hope I was able to inspire and inform some of the future sports media professionals.
MJ 2010, Daniel Pordes, Co-founder and Director of Backheel Media
Everyone was free to interpret the teachings in their own ways and share their ideas.
Media Summer School Student, Zhou Jiabo
‘Five-star experience’: JMSC’s Media Summer School introduce young students to world of journalism
The JMSC held its inaugural Media Summer School from 8 to 26 July, featuring lectures and workshops, expert guest speakers, and field visits to leading newsrooms, museums, and business organisations.
The innovative programme, consisting of three modules in business, arts and culture, and sports, attracted more than 240 participants. They hailed from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, and even countries as far as Belgium and Canada.
Over the course of three weeks, the youngsters learned the basics of storytelling, photography, filmmaking, fact-checking, AI, and the media business from veteran journalists, media professionals, and industry experts.
At the end of each module, the students showcased their creativity in the final group projects, using newly learned tools.
“I was amazed by the enthusiasm the young students had for journalism,” said JMSC Director Ruby Yang. “They took their final presentations seriously, and some of the projects were creative, thoughtful, and fun. I loved the energy these young people brought to the classes.”
Fun and creative presentations
Ivy Qian Duowen, who took all of the three modules, said the programme far surpassed her expectations. “It has been a five-star experience of my life,” she said.
For their group project, the 16-year-old secondary school student from Hong Kong and her teammates produced a rap music video, with the help of Suno AI app. “GOAT Talk,” an entertaining and humorous take on rival soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonard Messi, won the first prize in Module 3’s project competition.
For Module 2, Ivy and her friends channeled their K-pop obsession into creating a dance music video shot at cultural venues M+, Hong Kong Heritage Museum and The Mills, inspired by aespa’s hit song “Next Level.” It won the second prize in the contest that week.
She also tried her hand at cricket in class, guided by Ayush Shukla, a top bowler from the Hong Kong men’s national cricket team.
Taste of campus learning
Zhou Jiabo, a high school student from Guangzhou, said the summer school gave him a taste of a university classroom environment where students were encouraged to openly discuss ideas.
“Everyone was free to interpret the teachings in their own ways and share their ideas,” said the 16-year-old.
Chanthida Doch, a third-year student at the American University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, said she appreciated “being mentored by seasoned professionals in Hong Kong's fast-paced environment.”
Li Yuezhen, another high school student from Guangzhou, said in addition to learning journalism skills like conducting interviews and photography, she loved the diversity of the participants. “It is so nice to know people from different cultures,” she said.
Curious and eager students
The students also earned praise from guest lecturers.
Jamie Hitchmough, high performance development manager at HKU B-Active fitness centre, said he was impressed by the students’ curious sense of learning.
“They were confident to answer questions, and it was also good to see that they weren’t afraid to give the wrong answer,” Hitchmough said.
“The students were very engaged, curious and asked excellent questions,” said Anne Marie Roantree, Hong Kong bureau chief of Thomson Reuters – one of the media organisations the students visited.
“It was great to see such a diverse group of students eager to see and learn how stories are put together.”
MJ grad coming full circle
“I had a full circle moment,” said Daniel Pordes (MJ 2010), co-founder and director of Backheel Media, who gave a talk about his career in sports media. “Sharing my experiences and insights, I hope I was able to inspire and inform some of the future sports media professionals.”
He also enjoyed watching the students’ presentations. “The effort and creativity they put in was clear to see… [such as] a rap about Ronaldo and Messi!”
The participants said they had a memorable experience and formed precious friendships.
“Working in a group taught us to be social, cooperate with each other and make friends, I will never forget the 12 of us [teammates] eating McDonald’s and discussing our group project,” Ivy said.
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