PolyU Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2022 stimulates a new generation’s interest in research

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to promoting whole-person education and providing holistic education to prepare young people to cope with future challenges. To stimulate the new generation’s interest in research, PolyU once again this year organised the “Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme” (JRMP), allowing senior secondary school students to participate in various research projects under the guidance of PolyU academics and to explore the diverse subjects which comprise the University’s undergraduate curriculum, thereby enabling them to better prepare for their future academic and career pursuits.

This year, the JRMP drew participation from over 70 PolyU academics across different departments, and close to 110 students from 41 local and international secondary schools. Under the mentorship of PolyU’s experienced academics, students conducted research individually or in groups over a period of four months. Research topics covered an array of different subjects including rehabilitation sciences, biomedical engineering, nursing, hotel and tourism, design, languages, business and various engineering specialisations. Students gained hands-on experience in the process of research design, and data collection, analysis and reporting. They also had the opportunity to visit PolyU's many laboratories and teaching facilities to deepen their understanding of research theories, as well as the knowledge and skills required for research.

PolyU Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) Prof. Ben Young said, “Through our distinctive teaching pedagogy and programmes, we challenge young people to develop innovative thinking in order to meet future societal needs. PolyU first launched the ‘Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme’ last year to provide senior secondary school students with the opportunity to participate in research projects under the guidance of PolyU academics and to broaden their horizons through attending international academic conferences. We hope students can gain a more in-depth understanding of the fields they are interested in at an earlier stage, and that we can stimulate their interest in research, which will be beneficial to both the students’ own personal development and the development of society as a whole.”

Under the guidance of Dr Cynthia Lai, Associate Professor of PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and her team, five students from Ying Wa Girls’ School, Heep Yunn School, G.T. (Ellen Yeung) College, Good Hope School and Island School adopted telerehabilitation to conduct their research titled “The effects of Zentangle in promoting mental wellness in adolescents”. The students said, “Measures including school suspension and social distancing during COVID have caused a lot of psychological stress for young people. Our research targeted adolescents’ mental health and encouraged them to leverage the medium of online videos to relieve stress through Zentangle drawing. We also learnt to utilise digital platforms to remotely collect and analyse health data such as that relating to mental health and heart rate variability measurements. This has highlighted for us the importance of being flexible and keeping up with the times in conducting research.”

Under the guidance of Prof. Yongping Zheng, PolyU’s Chair Professor of Biomedical Engineering and his team, four students from Diocesan Girls' School, ISF Academy, N.T. Heung Yee Kuk Yuen Long District Secondary School and Island School, conducted a research project titled “Evaluation of spine using 3D Ultrasound”. The students said, “There is high scoliosis prevalence among adolescents. For the first time, we have used the innovative Scolioscan medical devices to examine the topic from a more professional and academic perspective. The experience has also inspired us to consider joining the medical profession after graduation.”

Applications for the “Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2023” will commence early next year, and the programme is expected to run from April to August. Programme website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/prospective-students/undergraduate/local/junior-researcher-mentoring-programme/

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