PolyU-trained Team Excels in 1st Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad

The Hong Kong team jointly trained by PolyU Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies (CBS) and Department of English (ENGL) achieved outstanding results in the first Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad (APLO) – winning one silver medal, three bronze medals and four honourable mentions. Modelling after the International Linguistics Olympiad, APLO is a regional Olympiad for secondary school students which aims to escalate attention to language and linguistics in the Asia Pacific region. The inaugural APLO was held simultaneously in ten countries/regions around the world on 5 May 2019. A total of 264 participants competed to solve problems on diverse languages and writing systems. All eight official participants1 from Hong Kong received awards. Prof. Chu-ren Huang from the Organising Committee of the Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad (HKLO), also Chair Professor of PolyU CBS, is pleased about the results, noting that the team has only been trained for half a year and the APLO2019 is their first participation in international linguistics Olympiad events. In the APLO award ceremony, Prof. Louise Cummings and Dr Dennis Tay from ENGL, and Dr Stephen Politzer-Ahles from CBS all recognised students’ performance in the competition and encouraged students to continue developing interests in languages and linguistics. Following the first-ever HKLO2 held earlier on 24 March 2019 and the APLO2019, the Hong Kong team will receive further training from PolyU and compete in the 17th International Linguistics Olympiad in Seoul this summer. 1 Top eight students from each country/region are regarded as official participants. The Hong Kong team has 19 registrants. 2 The IOL (International Linguistics Olympiad) competition is one of the 13 official International Science Olympiads. HKLO has already been officially accredited by IOL.

Generous Donation in Support of Chinese Humanities Education

[This article was originally published in excel@PolyU Issue 118] The Sin Wai Kin Foundation has generously donated to PolyU in support of the development of Chinese humanities education. In relation, “The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Sin Wai Kin Chinese Humanities Development Fund” will be set up to promote the learning and research of Chinese culture, language, history and philosophy. The University’s Council Chairman Dr Lam Tai-fai and PolyU Foundation Chairman Dr Katherine Ngan expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Dr David Sin Wai-kin for this philanthropic act.

Dr Candice Cheung Discovers a Key Factor Impeding the Communication of Children with Autism

Dr Candice Cheung from the Faculty of Humanities was invited by PolyU Milestones to talk about her findings regarding the communication difficulties of children with autism in the March 2019 issue. Dr Cheung has found evidence of a key factor impeding the communication of children with autism – a deficit in their ability to comprehend presupposed information from received information during conversations. The research finding opens up an important pathway for future studies of the same category. Read full story:

PolyU’s Linguistics Ranked 48th Worldwide

PolyU’s Linguistics, the discipline in which a majority of FH staff members are engaged, is constantly ranked among top 50 in the world. It is ranked 48thworldwide in the 2019 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject. PolyU’s Arts and Humanities is ranked 13th* in Asia and 89th in the world.  QS rankings are based on universities’ subject performance in terms of academic reputation, employer reputation and research impact. (Source: Quacquarelli Symonds University Rankings 2019) *By regional filtering of Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject 2019.

How Humanities Impact Our Society?

FH 10+ Gala Dinner

Highlights of FH 10+ Anniversary

10+ Anniversary of PolyU Faculty of Humanities

In 2018, the Faculty of Humanities of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In fact, the Faculty has reached a momentous milestone with its constituent units celebrating 10, 20 and 30 years of academic excellence. 2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the inception of Department of Chinese Culture, the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Chinese Language Centre, English Language Centre and General Education Centre, as well as the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies (formerly Department of Chinese, Translation & Interpretation) and Department of English. The two language departments were re-organised from the Department of Languages, which was established back in 1973. Energetically creating synergies among language, culture and science in education and research, the Faculty strives to excel in applied language sciences and bilingual China studies. We are also rapidly advancing in the fields of speech therapy, language and neuroscience, and healthcare communication. Besides, the Faculty continues to play a significant role in enhancing students’ language ability, and their understanding of the nature and cultures of human beings. 10+ signifies the Faculty’s contributions and achievements beyond 10 years. Looking to the future, 10+ also signifies many more success stories to come. Throughout the year, the Faculty will be celebrating its anniversary with a variety of events. We invite our students and alumni, colleagues, friends, partners and the local community to join us in celebrating this special year with us.

Master of Speech Therapy Programme Receiving Professional Recognition

In accordance with Accredited Registers Scheme for Healthcare Professions launched by the HKSAR Government, the Master of Speech Therapy (MST) programme offered by CBS has received formal full endorsement from the Hong Kong Institute of Speech Therapists, the accredited regulatory body responsible for administering a register for the speech therapy profession.  This accredited status is available for five years, which means that MST graduates from 31 August 2018 to 30 August 2023 (including those who graduated before 31 August 2018) are eligible to apply to become Member of Register of Speech Therapists accredited by Department of Health of the HKSAR Government.

Dr Wu Wan Yi Receives Best Paper Award in Commemoration of Xu Fuguan

Dr Wu Wan Yi from the Department of Chinese Culture receives the Best Paper Award in commemoration of Xu Fugan. The winning paper, entitled “The Rise of the Female Theatre in Beijing from 1912 to 1918 – with a Focus on the Theater Criticism in Shuntian Shibao”, was published in the 35th volume of New Asia Journal. Based mainly on drama criticisms published in Shuntian Shibao, the paper discusses the development of female theater in Beijing’s theatrical circles during the period of 1912-1918.