PolyU's Department of Applied Social Sciences launches an online platform to encourage continuous learning in the midst of the pandemic

To encourage continuous learning during the fight against COVID-19, the Department of Applied Social Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has set up the One Stop Shop (OSS), an online platform for information sharing in the era of pandemic.

OSS is a co-created and co-owned information platform that marks the latest joint endeavour of departmental staff, students and alumni, in collaboration with various social welfare organisations and professional associations. A series of professional talks, workshops and patient sharing sessions have been arranged via the platform since the end of March. Other services offered by OSS are: online workshops by professional facilitators (with topics including play therapy, expressive arts therapy, healing for wellness and community arts); and a "Learn from Home" video series leveraging multimedia to navigate topics related to the pandemic, which comprises short films produced by the faculty of the Department that focus on areas that include Sociology, Social Work, Social Policy, Psychology and Ageing Studies. Staff, students and alumni who have recovered from COVID-19 are also invited to share their experiences of recovery and emotional transformation.

The Department has furthermore joined hands with three internationally renowned universities: the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands), Durham University (UK) and The University of Toronto (Canada) to organise an online professional seminar series titled "Riding Out the Pandemic" to help people cope with anxiety that arise from the pandemic.

Prof. Eric Chui Wing-hong, Professor and Head of Department of Applied Social Sciences, stated, “despite the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on us (for instance, being stuck at home), so long as one recognizes the communities of support that exists, and discovers your own hidden potential, we will weather the storm and look forward to brighter days with hope and confidence. With an atmosphere of co-creation, co-production and co-learning, I am sure we will be able to get through the pandemic together. “

To learn more about the One Stop Shop (OSS) platform, please visit the website: https://oss.apss.polyu.edu.hk