APSSGA's Cuttlefish Fishing Night Unites Alumni and Graduating Students, Inspires Future Involvement

The APSS Graduate Association (APSSGA) organised a cuttlefish fishing night on 6 July 2024. This activity was held in Sai Kung, providing participants with a refreshing sea breeze and relaxing night during the hot summer days.  A total of 35 alumni, family members, and graduating students came together to participate in this activity. They enjoyed a fruitful evening of cuttlefish fishing, savouring delicious cuisine, and engaging in mutual sharing. The APSSGA successfully engaged 12 graduating students during this outing activity. The aim of this activity was to encourage more young alumni to become members of the APSSGA, with the goal of enhancing and expanding the network of APSS alumni in the near future.

APSS’s Healing Together Project Concludes Successfully

The “Healing Together – Building Positive School Mental Health in Post-COVID Hong Kong” project (the project) launched by the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) with the support from the funding of the Government’s Mental Health Project Funding Scheme - Phase 2 concluded on 6 July 2024. The project focused on creating a supportive and uplifting environment for students and teachers in Hong Kong's secondary schools in the wake of the pandemic.   Online coverage: RTHK - https://polyu.me/3VRoCgp CRHK - https://polyu.me/3xRkJ31; https://polyu.me/3xKXrfe Dim Sum Daily - https://polyu.me/3RZjaHf Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/4cUjmj7 Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/4eQoshX Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3XTjdrS (subscription required) Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3RXKwxw (subscription required) Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/4cM72Bc Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/4cAAiLB Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3zxSUx9 Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3VVLZoV HK01 - https://polyu.me/4bx5VEE Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/4cL5iZD Dot Dot News - https://polyu.me/3zsnecq Orange News - https://polyu.me/3RXhRZs Hong Kong China News Agency - https://polyu.me/3xMPJRG Hong Kong Economic Journal Monthly - https://polyu.me/4eSjDES Ta Kung Pao - https://polyu.me/3S2SHs9; https://polyu.me/45ZsiBp Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/45ZsSz5 Dr Angel LAI, Assistant Professor of APSS, was interviewed by CRHK’s programme “Beautiful Sunday” on the project which focusing on creating a supportive and uplifting environment for students and teachers in Hong Kong's secondary schools in the wake of the pandemic.  Online coverage: CRHK - https://polyu.me/3WdM5cY (the third and fourth parts) Oriental Daily News - https://polyu.me/3VTIWh9

APSS Receives 11 Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme, General Research Fund and Early Career Schemes from the Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2024/25 Exercise

Congratulations to the following awardees in securing research funding from RGC in 2024/25 Exercise: Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship Scheme (HSSPFS) Principal Investigator Scheme Project Title Fund Awarded ($) Dr Huijing LU HSSPFS Impact of Environmental Harshness and Unpredictability on Individual Development: A Comprehensive Analysis 305,000   Early Career Schemes (ECS) Principal Investigator Scheme Project Title Fund Awarded ($) Dr Vincent CHENG ECS Impact of Later Life Events on Criminal Trajectories Among Older Offenders in Hong Kong: A qualitative mixed-methods approach  685,000   General Research Fund (GRF) Principal Investigator Scheme Project Title Fund Awarded ($) Dr Julie ZHU GRF Parent–Adolescent Discrepancy in Perceived Parenting: Developmental Changes and Longitudinal Associations with Developmental Outcomes among Chinese Early Adolescents  1,171,390  Dr Camilla LO GRF Efficacy of a mentalization-informed motivational interviewing group intervention for concerned significant others of adolescents at risk of gaming disorder: A randomized controlled trial  1,106,500  Dr Xiang LI GRF Well-being of early career academics in Hong Kong: A longitudinal mixed methods study 1,015,028 Prof. Xue BAI GRF Integrating Motivational Interviewing and Photovoice to Enhance Future Care Preparation for Older Singletons and Doubletons: A Three-Arm Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial  1,107,212  Dr Bryant HUI GRF Prosociality as a Natural Sleeping Pill? Examining the Reciprocal Relationship between Acting Kindly and Sleeping Well 976,776 Prof. Sylvia CHEN GRF Leveraging Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence to Foster Cooperative Behavior: A Game Theoretical Approach  914,347  Dr Karita KAN GRF Frontiers of Rural-Urban Development: Land Politics and Agrarian Change in China  748,000  Dr Catrina LIU GRF The Impact of Home Literacy Environment on Chinese Children’s English Reading Literacy in Economically Disadvantaged Areas: The Roles of Family Risk and Protective Profiles  615,748  Dr Iris LO  GRF Does sexuality matter at work? A narrative enquiry into the negotiations between vocational identity and sexual identity among young LGB adults  424,164    The total funding awarded in RGC GRF/ECS 2023/24 Exercise is $9,069,165   APSS houses a large group of interdisciplinary professorial and teaching staff in the social sciences in Hong Kong. Our colleagues include world-renowned scholars and veterans in their fields, as well as young, promising scholars with tremendous talent and passion. We are dedicated to advancing knowledge for effective and humanistic social policies and services through education and research excellence.

APSS Study Tours 2024

APSS organised four study tours aimed at broadening students' global horizons, facilitating cultural exchange, and fostering knowledge sharing with university students, non-governmental organisations, and local communities. These tours offered students a comprehensive learning experience, merging academic knowledge with cultural exploration, thereby deepening their understanding of social work, social policy, counselling, mental issue issues and vibrant heritage.   Taiwan Study Tour (19-26 May 2024) A group of 30 students from the Master of Arts in Guidance and Counselling, Master of Social Work and Master of Arts in Mental Health (MAMH) programmes joined the department's exchange tour to Taiwan from 19 to 26 May 2024. The tour was led by Dr Herman LO, Associate Professor and Programme Leader of MAMH and Dr Yao FU, Research Assistant Professor of APSS. The students provided excellent feedback about the tour, which included visits to four sites in Taiwan: Taiwan Lourdes Association Choulu Farm - Therapeutic Community, Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Concentric Circles Community Recovery and Wellness Centre, and Shi Yu Halfway House, and participation in four lectures on expressive arts, sexuality and relationships, and multidisciplinary collaborations organised by National Changhua University of Education.   Singapore Study Tour (27-31 May 2024)  Dr Herrick WONG (Lecturer of APSS and Programme Leader of Master of Applied Psychology), Dr Kevin CHAN (Lecturer of APSS), Dr Hannah TAI (Instructor of APSS) and Dr Algae AU (Research Assistant Professor of APSS) led a study tour to Singapore. A total of 37 postgraduate psychology students from APSS participated in this enriching experience. The study tour, centred around the theme of "Exploring Diversity in Human Service and Psychological Practice," and aimed to broaden students' perspectives, cultivate cultural sensitivity, and foster global mindsets. A key highlight was the visit to Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where students engaged in insightful presentations and discussions with postgraduate students from both universities. The tour also included a visit to the Project Dignity which is a social enterprise in Singapore that trains and employs a range of people with disabilities, intellectual and social challenges. Additionally, a Psychodrama workshop, co-organised with a psychotherapist from Promises Healthcare Singapore, provided students with first-hand experience and understanding of the practice of psychodrama, offering immersive exposure to diverse approaches in the field of human services and psychology.   South Korea Study Tour (27 May – 1 June 2024) Led by Dr Grace SEO and Dr Lin NIE, both Assistant Professors of APSS, 18 undergraduate students from BA (Hons) in Social Work and BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship (SPSE) joined the study tour to Seoul, South Korea. Students participated in engaging activities such as meetings with renowned institutions like Sogang University's Department of Sociology and Korea's social enterprise, Sosohan Sotong. The group also had the opportunity to tour the National Assembly, explore Seoul's social economy centre, visit historic sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace, and witness the innovative NANTA SHOW.   Thailand Study Tour (17-23 June 2024) 13 students from the BA (Hons) in Social Work and BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship (SPSE) programmes embarked on a fruitful study tour accompanied by Dr Raymond TAM, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of SPSE and Mr Vincent YEUNG, Lecturer of APSS.  The tour encompassed various engaging activities, including a Chao Phraya River Cruise, visits to esteemed institutions such as Chulalongkorn University, and the Parliament House of Thailand. The students also had the opportunity to explore cultural landmarks like Wat Pho (The Reclining Buddha) and Museum Siam, as well as the Ayutthaya Historical Park (UNESCO). The tour concluded with visits to Chiang Mai University, participation in the Alpha Café & Future Entrepreneur Project, and a visit to Wat Chedi Luang, providing a well-rounded and enriching experience for the students. 

PolyU’s Social Sciences and Public Health came on top in Hong Kong and Asia in the 2024-2025 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings

According to the 2024-2025 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) was the 67th in the Best Global Universities. For subject ranking, PolyU sat in #19th in Best Universities for Social Sciences and Public Health; and that PolyU ranked first in Hong Kong and is the best in Asia.   Find out more: Best Global Universities for Social Sciences and Public Health: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/social-sciences-public-health The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/hong-kong-polytechnic-university-500421

MoU Signing with Chiang Mai University

On 21 June 2024, the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) and Chiang Mai University (CMU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Thailand, solidifying our commitment to knowledge exchange, collaboration in service-learning programmes, student exchange initiatives, and joint research projects. The MoU marks a significant milestone for both institutions in establishing a close academic and research partnership.   On the same day, Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor and Head of APSS, also delivered a talk at CMU on the topic of "Moving Education Forward: Building Sustainable Societies Through Innovation and Technology". The talk emphasised the importance of academic development and innovation in promoting sustainable communities.   Prof. CHUI expresses his sincere gratitude to the K. C. Wong Education Foundation for their invaluable support in making these collaborations possible.

“Bric-a-Brac” Premiere to Raise Awareness of Elder Abuse

With the generous support from Lee Hysan Foundation and C.F. & Nancy Tao Foundation (the Foundations), Project “Happy Edward: Preventing Elder abuse and Supporting Abuse Victims” led by Prof. Elsie YAN of APSS produced a 35-minute short film “Bric-a-Brac” to raise public awareness of elder abuse.   The film premiered at the Hong Kong Art Centre on the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June 2024. It was well received by more than 300 audience including LegCo members, Hon So-wai LAM and Dr Hon Chi-yuen TIK, SBS JP, former Secretary for Labour and Welfare Dr Chi-kwong LAW, GBS, JP, and representatives from the Foundations. Prof. David SHUM, Dean of PolyU’s FHSS also attended the premiere screening.     Directed by Ms Yan Yan MAK, “Bric-a-Brac” has won a total of 10 awards including Best Senior Film, Best Actress (Ms Alice FUNG So Bor) and Best Supporting Actor (Mr Eric KOT Man Fai) at the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles and the World Film Festival in Cannes.   APSS welcomes NGOs, schools and concerned parties to submit screening requests at https://www.bricabrac.asia/ to arrange for private screening.   Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOKZNPmbGKk

Eleven Outstanding APSS Students Honoured with Coveted HSBC Scholarships 2023/24

APSS is pleased to announce that eleven APSS students were selected as recipients of coveted HSBC Scholarships. A big congratulations from APSS to the winners for their achievements!   Awardee of HSBC Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong) Scholarship 2023/24 Selection criteria: This award prioritises individuals who have a clear career plan, relevant expertise, and a commitment to contributing to the growth and development of the GBA region. Award price: HK$80,000   Hei Man CHIU Year 1, BA (Hons) Scheme in Applied Social Sciences “It is a great honour for me to be awarded the HSBC scholarship. I am excited about the opportunity to expand my horizons and make a positive impact on society.”     Awardee of HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship 2023/24 Selection criteria: The selection is based on academic merit, involvement in extra-curricular activities and community service, as well as financial needs. Other key factors determining the success of nominees include English proficiency, leadership qualities, commitment to service as well as other personal qualities, including the overall potential of the nominees. Award price: HK$50,000   Cheuk Lam LAU Year 2, BA (Hons) in Social Work “Being the recipient of the HSBC Hong Kong Scholarship is an immense honour for me. During my studies in APSS, I have had many opportunities to acquire various skills and knowledge in social work, and I have received tremendous support from my teachers and classmates in APSS. I am very grateful to be part of APSS.”     Awardee of HSBC Social Work Scholarship 2023/24 Selection criteria: The selection is based on outstanding academic performance and strong commitment to the betterment of society. Award price: HK$25,000   Man Yuk CHAN Year 2, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “It is my honor to be awarded the HSBC Social Work Scholarship. I would like to thank APSS for providing me with valuable learning experiences that will allow me to become a reflective and skillful helping professional in the future.”   Cho Man FONG Year 3, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “This inspiring and humanistic programme has encouraged me to reflect deeply on my personality and the meaning of life, significantly enhancing my self-understanding and confidence. The unwavering support from the faculty has been invaluable, further solidifying my determination and enthusiasm to serve and uplift the community in the future.”   Sze Wan HON Year 4, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “It is a great honor for me to receive this award again, nominated by APSS. Studying social work has been my lifelong passion and dream since 2014. Receiving this prestigious recognition affirms my perseverance on this path. As I am about to graduate, I am committed to doing my best to give back to society and become a good and humane social worker.”   Maan Fu LAM Year 4, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “The past two years have been a rewarding learning experience for me. Not only have I benefited from the practical knowledge gained in the classroom, but I have also greatly appreciated the comprehensive support provided throughout my studies, such as the learning opportunities and the financial support. As a result, I have gained more confidence in exploring the diverse range of social and community services available.”   Ka Hoi LAM Year 3, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “I am deeply honoured to be the recipient of the HSBC Social Work Scholarship. I am passionate about working with maltreated children, and I am grateful that APSS has equipped me with various theories, techniques, and skills in a supportive learning environment. I will seize every opportunity to learn, both inside and outside the classroom, in the local community as well as through outbound exchanges.”   Cheuk Lam LAU Year 2, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “Being the recipient of the HSBC Social Work Scholarship is an immense honour for me. During my studies in APSS, I have had many opportunities to acquire various skills and knowledge in social work, and I have received tremendous support from my teachers and classmates in APSS. I am very grateful to be part of APSS.”   Pui Lam POON Year 3, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “It is such an honour to be awarded the HSBC Social Work Scholarship. APSS has provided me with many opportunities to explore and unleash my potential. With this scholarship, I can focus wholeheartedly on studying, developing the knowledge and skills needed to better serve vulnerable communities.”   Yuk Chun TSOI Year 2, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “I am honoured to be one of the awardees. As a social work student, I am grateful to be part of APSS, as the department provides us with opportunities to engage in active self-reflection and gain fruitful learning experiences.”   Tsz Yan WUN Year 3, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “My first year at PolyU has been incredibly enriching. The teaching teams have imparted abundant theoretical knowledge and have also provided practical opportunities for reflection. The insights and experiences gained through APSS have further solidified my interest in academic exploration and studies.”   Unzala Year 3, BA (Hons) in Social Work   “I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the HSBC Social Work scholarship after being nominated by APSS. Through their guidance and nurturing, APSS continues to support students, enabling us to reach our full potential, both for ourselves and society.”  

PolyU's APSS and Columbia University's School of Social Work Forge Collaborative Partnership

In a momentous event held at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) and Columbia School of Social Work at Columbia University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to pave new ground in our collaborative partnership on 14 June 2024.   The ceremony was led by Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor and Head of APSS, and Prof. Melissa BEGG, Dean of Social Work at the Columbia School of Social Work. Distinguished guests were in attendance to witness the signing.   Prof. Eric CHUI delivered a speech on the significance of this partnership as a milestone in PolyU-Columbia University initiatives and in elevating our research and service to the underprivileged and the marginalised. Dean Melissa BEGG also expressed her excitement about the opportunity to work closely with APSS, highlighting our shared commitment to advancing social work education and practice through this partnership. The ceremony marks the beginning of an extensive collaboration encompassing initiatives, such as research projects, postgraduate student exchanges, undergraduate dual degree programmes, and accelerated undergraduate-to-graduate programmes.   Issues of inequality, climate change, and social exclusion are proving to be the grand challenges of our era and rapidly expanding across borders. We firmly believe that our response in tackling these challenges must also be united without borders. We are thrilled that this MoU takes a significant step towards this objective by placing future generations of scholars into contact with fellow scholars and stakeholders from diverse racial, gender, and class backgrounds.

2024 Departmental Best Teaching Award

The Departmental Best Teaching Award is a prestigious prize within our department that acknowledges and celebrates our fellow colleagues' exemplary commitment and dedication to teaching. In addition to celebrating award recipients’ exceptional contributions, the prize also serves to inspire others and promote a culture of excellence within our department. For the individual and team categories respectively, the following colleagues have won the 2024 Departmental Best Teaching Award:   Individual Awards: Dr Angel LAI, Assistant Professor Dr Lin NIE, Assistant Professor Mr Vincent YEUNG, Lecturer   Team Award: Dr Lu YU (Co-leader), Associate Head & Associate Professor Prof. Daniel SHEK (Co-leader), AVP(UP), Dean(US) & Chair Professor (APSS) Dr Xiang LI, Assistant Professor Dr Xiaoqin ZHU, Assistant Professor Dr Diya DOU, Assistant Professor Ms Betty MOK, Instructor Ms Mabel CHENG, Instructor   Dr Lu YU and Prof. Daniel SHEK, along with their team, as well as Dr Angel LAI, have been nominated to the Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee to compete for the Faculty Awards/Prizes for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching 2024.   Please join me in congratulating the award recipients. Thank you for your hard work!