In order to improve students' social skills and faciliate their personal growth, several universities have launched mentorship programs.

The content of these programs may vary but the aims are the same.

The Executive Mentor Program was organised by the BBA Programs Office of the Faculty of Business Administration, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, in 1998. It involves not only students, but also successful alumni in high positions as mentors.

"n school, students acquire knowledge. To apply what they have learnt and to gain practical experience, they have to do summer jobs. However, it is difficult for them to access officers in senior levels," said Prof. Stella So, the BBA associate director.

"The scheme provides students a chance to expose themselves to top-notch executives, for example, senior managing directors and executive directors.

"It is the participating mentors and students who design the format of the interaction, so the program itself is very flexible," said Prof. So.

Usually, mentors arrange for students to join their leisure gatherings or other activities.

Students can then understand more about the business world and know how it operates.

Apart from programs at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Whole Person Development Program is run at the City University of Hong Kong. Mentoring is part of its development program.

The program was first run 3 years ago by the Department of Accountancy. As the outcome was fruitful, it was promoted to other departments in the university.

" When I was a participant in the scheme, I gained a lot. Now after I have graduated, I also would like to make some contribution towards the scheme," said Fanny Cheung, a mentor of the scheme.

Freshmen at the City University of Hong Kong are all assigned into different groups. Each group consists of six to eight students. A departmental staff and a final year student or alumnus is then the mentor and assigned to one of the groups.

"Meetings are held informally. We share our feelings towards university life, extracurricular activities, and departmental policies," said Ms. Cheung.

After joining the scheme, students become more familiar with the university. It in turn builds a sense of belonging.

"As a mentor, I regard my role as a channel between the staff and students. I strongly believe that the program can help students to get more involved and enjoy their campus life," said Ms. Cheung.

The University of Hong Kong also has its own mentoring program: the Academic Mentor-Mentee Scheme for the School of Business. There is also the HKU Mentorship Scheme at Hong Kong University.

"We believe that learning should not be confined to classroom. Interaction outside classroom is important too," said Prof. Eric Chang of School of Business at Hong Kong University.

In the Academic Mentor-Mentee Scheme, staff in the School of Business will play the role of mentors. Groups of students will have four meetings with their mentors per year.

"It provides an opportunity for teachers and students to discuss outside classroom. They can talk about current affairs, campus life, financial crisis and family problems. Mentors then can help students in different aspects," said Prof. Chang.

"Building up social networks with HKU alumni is very helpful. I can seek help when I have to write application letters for jobs," said DavidChan, a participant in the program.

The HKU Mentorship Program is different from that of the Academic Mentor-Mentee Scheme. The former stresses mentoring relationships between alumni and undergraduates.