Rolling out the Welcome Mat for Student-Athletes

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) hosted a reception to welcome our student-athletes in late August 2024. During the reception, APSS outlined the resources and services available to student-athletes, ensuring they have the necessary guidance to thrive in both their academic and competitive athletic endeavours.   APSS is committed to supporting the development of our talented student-athletes and facilitating their dual-track growth in sports and academics. Understanding the demanding training schedules and participation in local and international competitions, APSS provides measures such as alternative assessments to replace group projects and extension of assignment deadlines to help student-athletes navigate the challenges of balancing their academic work and athletic competitions.   This gathering marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the incoming student-athletes, and the Department looks forward to witnessing their growth and accomplishments in the years to come. A special APSS souvenir was presented by Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor and Head of APSS, at the sports centre to the attending student-athletes as a congratulatory gesture for their future success.   List of Incoming APSS Student-Athletes in 2024-2025: Name of Student Secondary School Attended Programme Sports LO Yu Yuet   Shek Lei Catholic Secondary School BA (Hons) Scheme in Applied Social Sciences Handball LOI Hoi Lam   La Salle College Athletics TAI Lok Ming   Lam Tai Fai College Wushu TONG Chi Ming   Lam Tai Fai College Table Tennis YIP Cheuk Man   Diocesan Boys' School Football YIP Chi Kuen Aison   Ying Wa College Handball WONG Lok Wing   Shek Lei Catholic Secondary School BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship Handball

Active Involvement of The Department of Applied Social Sciences Student Association in Orientation Showcase 2024

On 29 August 2024, several core Executive Committee members of The Department of Applied Social Sciences Student Association (APSSSA) participated in Orientation Showcase 2024 held by the Student Affairs Office (SAO) at Shaw Sports Complex & Practice Gymnasium on PolyU campus.   At the event, the APSSA hosted a booth to greet APSS freshmen. Our department expresses gratitude to the APSSSA for providing freshmen with information about their studies, encouraging their participation in upcoming student activities, and most importantly, offering a warm welcome into our APSS family.   We thank all APSSSA members for their active involvement and continued support in hosting engaging activities for our APSS students.

Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2024

The Faculty Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2024 celebrates the remarkable contributions of dedicated faculty members in the areas of teaching, research and scholarly activities, and knowledge transfer. The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) team has received recognition in two award categories.   Faculty Awards in Teaching:  (Category: Outstanding Young Teacher - Individual) Dr Angel LAI, Assistant Professor, APSS Testimony from Dr Angel LAI: "I am deeply honoured to receive the Award. I am very grateful to my students and colleagues for their encouragement and collaboration. This recognition is a testament to my commitment to fostering an engaging and supportive co-learning environment with my colleagues and students. I look forward to further contributing to the academic and personal growth of my students, and I am excited about the future opportunities that this award brings.”   (Category: Team) Enhancement of student holistic development and social responsibility through service-learning programmes in Mainland China Dr Yu LU, Associate Professor, APSS (Co-Team Leader) Prof. Daniel SHEK, Chair Professor, APSS (Co-Team Leader) Dr Diya DOU, Assistant Professor, APSS Dr Xiang LI, Assistant Professor, APSS Dr Xiaoqin ZHU, Assistant Professor, APSS Ms Mabel CHENG, Instructor, APSS Ms Betty MOK, Instructor, APSS    Testimony from Prof. Daniel SHEK and Dr Lu YU (on behalf of the team): “We are deeply honored to receive the Faculty Teaching Award. Our collective efforts have focused on nurturing students into socially responsible and engaged citizens through online, offshore immersive service-learning experiences. We also actively promote Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in Service-Learning. This award affirms our commitment to fostering meaningful connections between academic learning and community impact, and to using evidence-based strategies for promoting personal growth, leadership qualities, and social responsibility in our students. We will continue to strive for excellence in education and empower our students to make lasting and positive contributions to society.”   Faculty Awards in Services: (Category: Team) Impact Assessment of the "Strive and Rise Programme" Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor, APSS (Team Leader) Dr Jacky NG, Assistant Professor, APSS Dr Raymond TAM, Senior Lecturer, APSS Mr George LAU, Project Associate, APSS Testimony from Prof. Eric CHUI (on behalf of the team): “The Faculty Award in Services means a lot to our research team as it highlights our dedication to serving the community and supporting students from underprivileged families. Our goal has always been to use our research findings to inform social work practice, thereby facilitating students to achieve their full potential. It is incredibly rewarding to see our efforts being recognised and to know that our work is making a positive impact in addressing burning social issues in Hong Kong.”

Welcome Taught Postgraduate Students to the APSS Family!

On 29 August 2024, The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) held a welcoming orientation for the new cohort of taught postgraduate students. Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology and Head of APSS, delivered a welcoming speech to all new students. Dr Qiaobing WU, Associate Professor and Associate Head, along with Dr Rodney CHU, Senior Lecturer and Chairperson of the Departmental Learning and Teaching Committee, gave an overview of the learning and teaching opportunities and facilities in APSS. Subsequent to these welcoming remarks and introduction, over 270 students were divided into several breakout sessions to meet their Programme Leaders and to further understand their own curriculum and so forth. All APSS staff members take this opportunity to wish every student embark a new chapter at APSS of PolyU!

Warm Welcome to Incoming APSS Undergraduate Students in the Academic Year 2024-25

The Undergraduate Programme Orientation for 100+ freshmen who have newly joined the APSS family was successfully held on 26 August 2024. It was an opportunity for incoming students to learn about the department, make new connections, and prepare for a new chapter in their lives. Programme Leaders and Academic Advisors were delighted to meet with new students in the break-out sessions in order to provide them with information necessary for a successful start to their university careers. Representatives of the 31st APSS Student Association (APSSSA) also shared their experiences, school life and learning tips with the incoming students. A cheerful welcoming game was conducted by the APSSSA onsite, with special APSS souvenirs presented to the winning students. The orientation day concluded on a high note, with many happy faces and a sense of fun.  

PolyU Ignites Social Innovation: Unveiling the Next Generation of Change-makers

On 17 August 2024, the PolyU Igniting Social Innovation Competition 2024 reached its grand finale and prize presentation ceremony, showcasing the remarkable talents and innovative ideas of local secondary school students.   Organised by the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the PolyU Igniting Social Innovation Competition serves as a platform for nurturing the next generation of social innovators and policy advocates.  The competition inspires young minds to tackle complex social challenges with creative solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and ultimately, to make a tangible difference in the lives of Hong Kong residents and communities.   This year we have over 300 students coming from 67 secondary schools participating in this competition. After two intense rounds of elimination, ten teams successfully made it to the finals. The topics they addressed ranged from pressing social issues like youth mental health, housing, high land prices, and an aging society below.   Name of the School Topic Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School University Students Providing Home Services for Elderly Living Alone (便利屋計劃 - 大專生為獨居長者提供家居服務) Diocesan Girls' School Housing Crisis - Underground Development (解決房屋問題 - 發展地下空間) ELCHK Lutheran Academy Child Negligence - Potential Family Dangers from a Child's Perspective (疏忽照顧兒童 - 從孩子角度看家庭潛在危險) New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School Innovative Housing Designs and Shared Spaces (新型房屋設計和共享空間) P.L.K. Mrs Ma Kam Ming - Cheung Fook Sien College Talent Xplorer – VR Career Exploration Experiences (Talent Xplorer - VR職業體驗) Queen's College Old Boys' Association Secondary School No Poverty - An Old Man's Difficult Life (無貧窮 - 伯伯的艱難生活) Saint Francis of Assisi's College MBTI-Based Shared Housing Matching Platform (具有香港特色的住房政策 - MBTI「共居」配對平台) Shun Tak Fraternal Association Cheng Yu Tung Secondary School Immersive Virtual Worlds Simulating Natural Living Experiences for Children with Chronic Illness (長期患病兒童 - 沉浸式體驗大自然生活的虛擬世界) St. Clare's Girls' School PathFinder - Personalized Assessments to Match Youth with Suitable Careers (PathFinder - 提供人化測試以尋找合適青少年的工作) Wa Ying College The Impact of Family Factors on Youth Mental Health (家家有本難唸的心經 - 家庭因素對於青少年精神健康的影響)   For example, students from Wa Ying College proposed to raise public awareness about the impact of family pressure on youth emotions by using 360-degree and virtual reality technology. They also advocated for increased parent counselling as a means to improving young people's mental health. Their innovative and practical proposal earned them the championship. Another team, comprising students from Diocesan Girls' School, suggested relocating non-residential facilities such as gymnasiums and shopping malls underground. This would free up surface space for housing development and environmental improvements. The breadth and creativity of the finalists' proposals demonstrated their deep understanding of Hong Kong's social challenges and their ability to devise practical, technology-driven solutions.   The judging panel for the final round included distinguished social innovators and experts from the fields of applied social sciences and knowledge transfer. The panel comprised Dr Lu YU, Associate Professor and Associate Head of APSS, Miss Sarah MUI, a pioneering architect and Co-founder and Design Director of One Bite Design Studio, and Miss Mia ZENG, Manager of the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office (KTEO).   Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor and Head of APSS, delivered a welcoming speech in the prize presentation to the participants, principals, and teachers from the secondary schools.  He encouraged everyone to be innovative and creative when dealing with ill-defined social issues and problems.   This year, we are pleased to congratulate Wa Ying College (華英中學) on winning 1st Prize, New Territories Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School (新界鄉議局元朗區中學) for 2nd Prize, and Carmel Divine Grace Foundation Secondary School (迦密主恩中學) for 3rd Prize. We also congratulate Diocesan Girls' School (拔萃女書院) and ELCHK Lutheran Academy (基督教香港信義會宏信書院) for receiving honorable mentions in the competition.   We congratulate all awardees and thank all participants for their contributions to this year’s competition.   Online coverage: Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/46ZbcEo Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3YPx5nt   Video link: Workshop Highlight Video - https://youtu.be/jgs4FC6618U

Providing Policy Research and Training Support to District Care Teams (Sai Kung)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s (PolyU) Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) and the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) have partnered to conduct policy research and provide a professional training programme for District Care Teams (Sai Kung). The aim of the partnership is to equip the Teams with key knowledge and skills in order to better serve the community.   On 12 August 2024, PolyU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the District Services and Community Care Development Fund (Sai Kung) Company Ltd to put forward public policy proposals that support Hong Kong’s development. The MoU also includes assisting the professional growth of District Care Teams (Sai Kung).   Prof. Christopher CHAO, Vice President (Research & Innovation) and Director of PReCIT, delivered the welcoming remarks at the beginning of the ceremony. Mr Ching Tung SO, President of District Services and Community Care Development Fund (Sai Kung) Company Ltd, and Mr Yuen Tung CHONG, the Team Leader of Kwong Ming Care Team, place great emphasis on the importance of the community care teams in reaching out to vulnerable groups and assisting in handling incidents and emergencies.   Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor and Head of APSS and Co-director of PReCIT, provided a brief introduction to the policy research and outlined the key objectives and features of the training programme. He encouraged participants to embrace innovation and technology, more fully understand the diversity of community needs, and better prepare themselves to contribute to the community.   Through the combined expertise of PReCIT and APSS, PolyU aims to help the District Care Teams (Sai Kung) enhance their service skills and create a positive social impact by fostering innovation, inclusion, and well-being.   Online coverage: PolyU website: https://polyu.hk/Oafgm

Outstanding APSS Alumni Award 2024

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is delighted to announce the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Award. This award serves as a testament to the exceptional leadership, commitment, and dedication of APSS alumni who have made significant impact in their professional fields and communities. This year, we congratulate Dr Chi Kong SIU as our 2024 Outstanding Alumnus.   Dr Chi Kong SIU obtained his Bachelor of Social Work in 1997 from APSS, prior to which he was named one of Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Hong Kong in 1992 by the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong, an international youth leadership organisation. In 2014, Dr SIU was awarded an honorary doctorate in pastoral studies from the Hong Kong Institute of Christian Counselors.   Dr SIU serves as the Director and Founder of Gideon Ministries Ltd, a Hong Kong-based charity organisation that offers training, coursework, and counseling services for youth and families. Dr SIU is a pioneer in adventure-based counselling in Hong Kong, an innovative approach that combines outdoor hiking, training, and counseling.   Drawing on his social work background, behavior therapy, reality therapy, reward-and-discipline system, and solution-focused therapy, Dr SIU’s adventure counseling approach integrates the five stages of social group work elements into adventure training. The adventure counseling approach has been shared widely with professionals and has proven highly effective in assisting marginalised youth.   In addition, Dr SIU has designed and implemented courses tailored for special needs students, specifically focusing on youth life orientation and addiction treatment. Recognising the growing concern of internet addiction and addictive behaviors among teenagers, he developed a comprehensive model for addiction treatment. This model offers life-oriented courses to assist students with marginal behavior, internet addiction, special educational needs, and school dropouts. Dr SIU has also conducted online and offline lectures, parent seminars, and training sessions for youth organisations, as well as participating in youth conferences and delivering training to social work students at Asia University.

APSSGA Elects New Chairperson and Held Inspirational Alumni Sharing Session

On 20 July 2024, APSS’s Graduates Association (APSSGA) convened its Annual General Meeting, and a new cabinet was elected. It is with great pleasure that Ms. Catherine YEUNG, alumni of BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Administration, has been nominated and appointed as the Chairperson of APSSGA for the term spanning from 2024 to 2026. Her leadership will guide alumni affairs throughout this tenure. Please find the new committee member list here.  In a highlight of the event, the APSSGA invited Dr Chi Kong SIU, selected as the Outstanding APSS Alumni of 2024, to share insights on entrepreneurship services and innovative practices within small and medium-sized social welfare organisations with the attendees.

Mindfulness Course Boosts Carers’ Mental Health

Dr Herman LO, Associate Professor of APSS, has developed a mindfulness course in collaboration with the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society for carers of elderly persons and parents who are under pressure. Participants have demonstrated significant improvements in both physical and mental health after practice. Online coverage: Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3zNN8b0 HK01: https://bit.ly/46iOW7L MyTV super: https://bit.ly/46odpbZ