Annual Best Paper Award for Research Postgraduate Student 2021

PolyU Research Reveals that Short-term Study-in-China Programmes Promote Local University Students’ Intercultural Competence and Understanding of Mainland China

To enhance young peoples’ understanding and identification with China, local academic institutions have been organising various exchange programmes between China and Hong Kong. A recent Public Policy Research Project conducted by PolyU revealed that short-term study-in-China programmes enhanced the intercultural competence of local Hong Kong university students. Dr Lu YU, Associate Professor at APSS; and Professor Daniel T. L. SHEK, Interim Vice-President (Research and Innovation), Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme), Chair Professor of APSS and Li and Fung Professor in Service Leadership Education shared the findings a press conference on 14 December 2020. The short-term study-in-China programmes positively influenced their perception and attitude towards Mainland China, as well as their identification with China. The findings strongly suggest the importance of further promoting short-term learning opportunities in Mainland China for Hong Kong’s younger generation. Learn More News coverage: CRHK NowTV RTHK-English News Headline Daily HK01 Ming Pao On.cc Sing Tao Daily South China Morning Post Tai Kung Pao  

Community Comes Together to Tackle Double Aging

The Social Invocation Regional Forum (SIRF2020) was held on 20 November 2020. Dr CHANDRA Yanto, Associate Professor at Department of Applied Social Sciences and Director of Centre for Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship (CSPSE) was invited to be one of the speakers in a thematic session. The thematic session featured 4 speakers surrounding the topics on “Regional Landscape on Social Innovation”. Dr. CHANDRA shared his insight on “Predictors of Social Innovation Performance”. He presented the review and ongoing study on social innovation projects and CSPSE’s works on promoting social policy and social entrepreneurship. SIRF2020 has examined the unique challenges of “Double Ageing”. Experts from Asia and Europe explored proposals and strategies that enable a better future for sustainable cities and their inhabitants. About CSPSE The CSPSE is strive to foster collaboration with universities, government, businesses, third sector organisations and promote social policy and social entrepreneurship research, grant capture, academic conferences, and advocacy on ideas, solutions, policies that seek to create public values. 【社會創新】香港深圳廣州 社會創新的協同與發展 [HK 01, 13 November 2020] About SIRF2020

PolyU’s Social Sciences is Ranked 82nd in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2021

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is ranked 129th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2021.PolyU’s Social Sciences also achieved encouraging results in the (THE) World University Rankings 2021, advancing 14 places to 82nd. Learn More: THE World University Rankings 2021 by Subject: Social Sciences THE最新學科排名發佈 (簡體中文)

Central-Asian Programme – Online Capacity Building on Social Work Education and Social Work Research

Led by Dr. Benjamin Hok Bun KU, Associate Professor of Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS), the 2-day programme organised by China Research and Development Network of APSS and the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was successfully held on 14 & 15 October 2020. This is a rare opportunity for international scholars from Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Tajikistan to offer the programme, sharing valuable experiences in the development of social work education and research to more than 60 social work educators, researchers and practitioners from Central Asia. The programme was well-received by the delegates with meaningful questions and inspiring feedbacks. Our special thanks go to Prof. Edward K.L. CHAN, Professor and Interim Head of APSS, and Dr. Crystal KWAN, Assistant Professor of APSS, for being one of the speakers of the programme. Last but not least, appreciation to the co-organiser, International Association of Schools of Social Work and the supporter, Nursultan Nazarbayev Foundation in Kazakhstan. Online Capacity Building on Social Work Education and Social Work Research” Central-Asian Workshop

Project to Develop a Computerised Cognitive Screening Test for Seniors to Identify Early Cognitive impairments in Preclinical Phase

A research team led by Dr. Ada Wai Tung FUNG, Assistant Professor at Department of Applied Social Sciences, has received a grant of HK$449,000 from the government’s competitive Innovation and Technology Fund for Better Living (FBL), for the project entitled “Hong Kong - Vigilance and Memory Test (HKVMT) to enhance detection of early cognitive impairments in preclinical phase”. Members of the team include our Deputy Project Coordinator Dr. Kevin Chan, and Dr. Newman Lau (SD), Ir Alex Choy (IC). To address the needs of care, supports, and proactive management in elderly with early and subtle cognitive impairments who have not yet reached the diagnostic level, the team are aiming to develop a computerised cognitive screening test to help frontline social workers and allied healthcare staff easily differentiate the elderly with early cognitive deficits from normal cognitive ageing. Dr. FUNG said, “The system will facilitate elderly centres in effective resources allocation to the at-risk group for cognitive training, we hope this project will benefit more elderly people in the future.” The FBL, launched by the Innovation and Technology Bureau in 2017, is a scheme for funding innovation and technology (“I&T”) projects which make people’s daily living more convenient, comfortable and safer, or address the needs of specific community groups.

APSS Invites You to Join Our CAR Subjects

APSS2S05 Promotion of Children and Adolescent Development

Service-Learning Subject APSS2S05 Promotion of Children and Adolescent Development Award The subject is the Gold Winner for the category of sustainability award in the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards 2018 for its success in combining formal academic study and community service to enhance students’ sustainable learning and social responsibility. In 2018, the Leadership and Intrapersonal Development (LIPD) Team of APSS has been honoured with the 2018 University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award in recognition of the Team’s remarkable contributions to teaching and learning in offering the leadership subjects including the above. Objectives The objectives of the subject are to : To give a brief overview of different perspectives on child and adolescent development, needs and challenges of children and adolescents living in disadvantaged circumstances to students through design and implementation of service project. To enhance students’ competencies of problem-solving, decision making, communication and team work and self-leadership. To cultivate the positive values and strengths orientation among students. To nurture students' sense of social responsibility, social awareness and promote prosocial behaviors. To nurture students’ sense of care and compassion towards other people in the community, especially towards underprivileged children and adolescents. Service Targets Students will be required to provide care and service in one of the following service settings : Offering Semester Collaborative Partners Service Location Service Targets S12 Society of Boys’ Centres http://www.sbc.org.hk/ Hong Kong Children and adolescents with social and emotional problems Project WeCan http://www.wharfholdings.com/eng/about_overview_corporate_wecan_aboutproject.html Hong Kong Children and adolescents with lower academic achievements and limited exposure S23 Zhejiang University 浙江大學 http://www.zju.edu.cn/ Hangzhou Children and adolescents living in underprivileged circumstances such as poverty, new immigrant families, single-parent families, etc. Service-Learning Project Students are divided into small groups according to their backgrounds, disciplines and interests to plan for and implement a service project. Students are required to utilize their knowledge and skills learned in this subject as well as their disciplines in service planning. The tentative schedule for direct service delivery and type of services are listed below for reference : Offering Semester Location Tentative Schedule for Direct Service Type of Services S12 Hong Kong *Throughout Semester One and Two (Serving on some weekends or weeknights may be expected) Develop a meaningful learning curriculum for children and adolescents in Hong Kong S23 Hangzhou #Around 10 days in summer term (tentatively in late June – early July 2021) Develop and implement educational and supportive service (such as summer camps, cultural activities, classes, etc) for the children and adolescents in Hangzhou Tentative Schedule The tentative schedule for this 2-semester subject is as below: 1st Term E-learning through Blackboard Preparatory Lectures, Seminars and Workshops Service Planning and Preparation Direct Service Delivery* On-going Reflective Journals 2nd Term Direct Service Delivery*# Post-service Workshops and Group Presentation On-going Reflective Journals *Actual schedule depends on agency needs, instructor’s plan and discussion with students. #Actual schedule for direct service delivery in Mainland China depends on the arrangement of the collaborated partners and will be announced by the instructors in due course. Outbound Trips and Fees As the service targets for the subject offered in Semester Two and Summer Term are resided in Hangzhou, students are required to travel to the site and stay for around 10 days in summer term for delivery of service. Despite the availability of financial support from the University, students are required to pay a non-refundable outbound fee of HK$1,500 (subject to revision) to cover part of the expenses for the outbound trips such as airfare and accommodation expenses etc. Scholarship The best student taking the subject in Semester One and Two with local services will receive HK$5,000 scholarship funded by Wofoo Foundation. Student Feedback Please click here for students’ sharing for local trips. Please click here for students’ sharing for non-local trips. Eligibility Full-time 4-year degree students are eligible to take the subject. Students enrolling the subject in Semester Two and Summer Term with non-local services should possess intermediate level of Putonghua for effective delivery of services in Mainland China. Pre-requisite Requirement Nil Enquiry Academic Enquiry Service Location Telephone Office E-mail Dr Jocelyn Lin Hong Kong 2766 7740 GH416 jocelyn.lin@polyu.edu.hk Dr Lu Yu Hangzhou 2766 4859 HJ430 lu.yu@polyu.edu.hk Academic Enquiry Telephone Office E-mail General Office (APSS) 2766 5773 HJ402 ssba@polyu.edu.hk URL [Click here for subject syllabus] [Click here for ePoster]

APSS2S09 Service Leadership through Serving Children and Families with Special Needs

Service-Learning Subject APSS2S09/S Service Leadership through Serving Children and Families with Special Needs Award The subject received the Bronze Award for the category of social enterprise in the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards 2016 for creating a pedagogical approach to ethical leadership that acknowledges that the intrapersonal competencies are as pertinent as the hard skills that enable successful leadership. In 2018, the Leadership and Intrapersonal Development (LIPD) Team of APSS has been honoured with the 2018 University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award in recognition of the remarkable contributions to teaching and learning in offering the leadership subjects including the above. Objectives The objectives of the subject are to enable students to: understand the core attributes of service leaders in terms of competence, character, and caring disposition; apply the core components of service leadership and professional strengths through the engagement of community-based service activities; demonstrate self-leadership and develop self-awareness of sharing and empathy with others and the community; reflect on their service leadership qualities, particularly intrapersonal and interpersonal competencies. Service Targets Students will be required to provide care and service in one of the following service settings: Offering Semester Service Settings Service Location Service Targets S12 & S23 Heep Hong Society 協康會 http://www.heephong.org/ Hong Kong Preschool children with mental retardation, autism and learning difficulties Society of Boys’ Centres 香港扶幼會 http://www.sbc.org.hk/ Children and adolescents with social and emotional problems Wharf’s Project WeCan 學校起動計劃 http://www.wharfholdings.com/eng/about_overview_corporate_wecan_aboutproject.html Less-privileged secondary school students S23 Xi’an Jiaotong University西安交通大學 http://www.xjtu.edu.cn/ Xi’an Children and adolescents with special needs (e.g., migrant children, left-behind children, live in poverty, children with emotional and behavioral problems etc.) Sichuan University四川大學 http://www.scu.edu.cn/ Chengdu S3 Christian Zheng Sheng College 基督教正生書院 http://www.zhengsheng.org.hk/index.html Hong Kong Children and adolescents with substance abuse and/or delinquent behavior Service-Learning Project Students are divided into small groups according to their disciplines and interests to plan for and implement a service project. Students are required to utilize their knowledge and skills of this subject as well as their disciplines in service planning. The tentative schedule for direct service delivery and type of services are listed below for reference: Offering Semester Location Tentative Schedule for Direct Service Type of Services S12 & S23 Hong Kong *Throughout Semester One and Two (Serving on some weekends or weeknights may be expected)         Develop and implement programmes to help children and adolescents to better manage their emotions, strengthen their self-esteem, nurture positive and healthy identities, improve their interpersonal skills, etc.   S23 Xi’an or Chengdu #Around 10 days in summer term (tentatively between late June and early July) S3 Hong Kong *Throughout Summer Term (Serving on some weekends or weeknights may be expected) Tentative Schedule The tentative schedule for this 2-semester subject is as below: 1st Term E-learning through Blackboard Preparatory Lectures, Seminars and Workshops Service Planning and Preparation Direct Service Delivery* On-going Reflective Journals 2nd Term Direct Service Delivery*# Post-service Workshops and Group Presentation On-going Reflective Journals *Actual schedule depends on agency needs, instructor’s plan and discussion with students. #Actual schedule for direct service delivery in Mainland China depends on the arrangement of the collaborated partners and will be announced by the instructors in due course. Outbound Trips and Fees Students taking the subject with direct services conducted in Mainland China in summer term are required to pay a non-refundable outbound fee of HK$1,500 (subject to revision) to cover part of the expenses such as airfare and accommodation expenses for the outbound trips despite the availability of financial support from the University. Scholarship There are totally 3 quota of scholarship at HK$5,000 each to be awarded by Wofoo Foundation for students taking the subject locally. One quota will be offered in S12, S23 and S3 respectively. Student Feedback Please click here for students’ sharing. Eligibility Full-time 4-year degree students are eligible to take the subject. Students enrolling the subject with direct services in Mainland China should possess intermediate level of Putonghua for effective delivery of services. Pre-requisite Requirement Nil Enquiry Academic Enquiry Offering Semester & Location of Direct Services Telephone Office E-mail Dr Yammy Chak S12 (Hong Kong) 2766 7832 GH324 yammy.chak@polyu.edu.hk Dr Ann Li S23 (Hong Kong & Chengdu) 2766 7827 GH321 xann.li@polyu.edu.hk Dr Jocelyn Lin S23 (Xi’an) 2766 7740 GH416 jocelyn.lin@polyu.edu.hk Mr Wynants Ho S3 (Hong Kong) 3400 3009 HJ421 wynants.ho@polyu.edu.hk Academic Enquiry Telephone Office E-mail General Office (APSS) 2766 5773 HJ402 ssba@polyu.edu.hk URLs [Click here for subject syllabus] [Click here for video of Christian Zheng Sheng College strive for students’ future] [Click here for ePoster]

In Memory of Dr. David IP Fu Keung

Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) extends its gratitude to Dr. David IP Fu Keung for over 8 years of service to the Department and PolyU in his capacity as Associate Professor since 2008, Associate Head & DRC Chair since 2011, and Interim Head of Department in 2015. Dr. IP will be fondly remembered by all graduates and staff, former and present, who had the privilege to work alongside him. His inspiration will remain with us. Our thoughts and warmest wishes are with his family and friends. Leaflets of the Memorial Session on David Ip on 25th August 2020 Brief video capture of the life of David Ip e-Bulletin