The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) proudly marked the inauguration of the Master in Physiotherapy (MPT) and Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) Programmes for the academic year 2023/24 on 2 February. The ceremony, graced by esteemed government officials, underscored the significance of advancing rehabilitation therapy in a rapidly evolving societal landscape, especially in addressing the needs of an ageing society.
Distinguished guests including Mr Ho Kai-ming, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare; Ms Leung Yee Lee, Maggie, Assistant Director (Rehabilitation & Medical Social Services), Social Welfare Department, and Prof. Marco Pang, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation and Head, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences joined key faculty members of the Department to officiate this momentous occasion.
The ceremony commenced with a compelling keynote address by Mr Ho Kai-ming, JP, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, who emphasised the crucial contribution of physiotherapists and occupational therapists in enhancing societal well-being. He encouraged students to embrace their academic journey as a determining period of personal and professional growth.
Subsequently, Prof. Marco Pang, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation and Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, shared a speech as he recalled the inception and evolution of the Master's programmes, emphasising the global trend towards having physiotherapists and occupational therapists as first contact practitioners.
A touching sharing session by recent programme graduates added a deeply personal dimension to the ceremony. Graduates including Ms Jaime Cheung, Ms Janna Hui, and Mr Mathew Chan recounted their transformative experiences during the programme, expressing gratitude for the invaluable learning opportunities and the profound impact on their professional journeys. Their stories served as a testament to the programmes’ ability to nurture compassionate, dedicated rehabilitation professionals with genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Under the Training Sponsorship Scheme of the Social Welfare Department, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has been offering the two-year full-time entry-level MPT and MOT programmes in alternate years since 2012, and annually since 2021. Both programmes have been instrumental in training future rehabilitation therapists, contributing to easing of shortages in these vital healthcare sectors.