A 4,000-km Journey of Inclusion: EdUHK Delegation on Special Education Exchange and Internship in Kazakhstan
Covering over 4,000 kilometres, two transfers and two days of travel, this was no ordinary trip, but a cross-border educational experiment. In April, four staff members from the Student Affairs Office’s Special Educational Needs Support Service and the Integrated Centre for Wellbeing (I-WELL) at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) led 14 students from diverse disciplines and backgrounds to Karaganda, Kazakhstan. They embarked on a seven-day, six-night exchange programme titled ‘Special and Inclusive Education: Exchange of Experiences between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong’.
The trip stemmed from EdUHK’s long-standing partnerships with institutions in Belt and Road countries. Invited by the President of Karaganda Buketov University at a pivotal moment in Kazakhstan’s special education reform, the delegation gained first-hand exposure to Central Asian campuses and special education institutions. There, they observed, engaged and experienced how classroom theory translates into practice.
The 14 student participants were from fields including education, special education and psychological counselling. Among them were students with special educational needs (SEN), such as specific learning difficulties, physical disabilities and other conditions. Despite the demanding trip, the group demonstrated strong peer support, ensuring equal participation and full engagement for every member.
During three intensive days, the delegation visited Karaganda Buketov University and four local special schools and institutions. From classroom observations to cultural exploration, the programme was rich and inspiring. While Hong Kong’s special education model often prioritises safety and protection, Kazakh educators were eager to showcase students’ talents, from singing and public speaking by visually impaired students to the woodworking and pottery crafted by students with physical disabilities. This philosophy of ‘daring to let children try’ resonated deeply with the Hong Kong participants.
One particularly moving moment came when a visually impaired teacher, herself a graduate of the school, welcomed the delegation alongside her daughter, who is also visually impaired and currently enrolled there. In a predominantly Russian-speaking environment, the young girl confidently introduced the campus in fluent English: a powerful testament to educational achievement and intergenerational inspiration.
The exchange was both an academic exercise and a journey of the heart. A final-year student Annie Lam Lok-ching, of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Special Education programme (BA(SE)) preparing to enter the special education field reflected, “Special education is not just about protection. It must also provide a stage for children to explore.” Another participant, Henry Chan Chun-hung, a final-year student of the Bachelor of Social Sciences (honours) in Sociology and Community Studies explained that despite sensory challenges and uncertainties circumstances during the trip, it marked a milestone in his personal development and sociological training, “I returned to Hong Kong not just with a deeper cross-cultural understanding of special education in Kazakhstan, but with newfound confidence in my ability to navigate high-stakes, unpredictable environments as a neurodivergent student.”
Ms Carol Ma Po-ke, Manager of the SEN Support Services at the Student Affairs Office, noted that the students’ discipline and teamwork exceeded expectations. She also gained valuable insight into supporting SEN students in unfamiliar environments: from anticipating changes in lighting and sound to carefully planning routes. Such attentive care, she emphasised, lies at the heart of inclusive education.
This 4,000 kilometre journey forged precious cross-border friendships and enabled mutual learning in special education between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan. For all participants, it rekindled the essence of education: embracing diversity, respecting individuality, and empowering every life to shine beyond its limits. As academic and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan continue to deepen, this visit by EdUHK students and staff will serve as a vital link for future collaboration in special education, laying the groundwork for sustained dialogue, reciprocal visits, and inclusive education research.
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A 4,000-km Journey of Inclusion: EdUHK Delegation on Special Education Exchange and Internship in Kazakhstan
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