News

RS Students awarded 2019/20 Dean's Honours List

We are proud to annouce that 40 of RS graduates have been placed in the 2019/20 Dean's Honours List and two PhD graduates, Dr Liu Tai Wa and Dr Huang Meizhen, have been awarded the Distinguished Thesis Award of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.

RS Students awarded Distinguished Thesis Award of FHSS

Distinguished PhD Thesis Award of FHSS - Dr Liu Tai Wa (RS PhD graduate, Supervisor: Prof. Shamay Ng) Dr Liu Tai Wa (right) and his supervisor, Prof. Shamay Ng (left) Sharing by Dr Liu Tai Wa: I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences for presenting me the Faculty Distinguished Thesis Award, and the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences for giving me the chance to accomplish a Doctor of philosophy degree. I am glad that I made a firm decision to pursue a PhD degree at The Hong Kong Polytechnic few years ago and grateful to have a precious opportunity to meet my chief supervisor, Professor Shamay Ng, and co-supervisor, Professor Gabriel Ng. They have provided me with their unreserved support and expert guidance along this path, which has not only helped me to complete the PhD degree, but also inspired me to proceed for greater advancement in the future as a researcher. As a part-time student, the learning process has always been busy but fruitful. I have been involved in various research projects which has given me the chances to work with the most knowledgeable and passionate research team of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. In addition, the Department of Rehabilitation accommodated me with all the equipment needed and technical support during the research process. With all the support and resources from my supervisors and the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, we have published seven academic papers and have presented nine abstracts in international conferences. In August of this year, I have successfully passed my oral defense and fulfilled the PhD graduation requirement. Lastly, it has not been easy to complete a PhD programme, but every little encounter and experience gained throughout these years have been enriching and will certainly remain in my memories for life long. Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been there for me along the way for all their time, effort, support and patience. Distinguished PhD Thesis Award of FHSS -Dr Huang Meizhen (RS PhD Graduate, Supervisor: Prof. Marco Pang) Sharing by Dr Huang Meizhen: It is my great honor to receive the Distinguished Thesis Award. I would like to express my sincere thanks to my supervisor Prof. Marco Pang. I knew little thing about research when I reached PolyU, and now I feel confident to conduct study independently. As the advice from Prof. Pang, interest and self-motivation is crucial to be a researcher. The ability in goal-orientated, self-learning and time-management will be great asset in my life. It is also very grateful that PolyU and RS offers incredible opportunities and tremendous support in both professional and personal development. From lectures and workshops to conferences and overseas exchange, PolyU and RS provides ample resources to research postgraduate students so that we could gear ourselves up the world. Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to RS . I received BSc in physical therapy from Sichuan University while our lectures/clinical placements were conducted by academic staff from RS due to the earthquake in 2008. I did not know the word "physical therapy" and how important it was until I visited the injured persons in the disaster area. Also, until I started study in PolyU, I can't imagine what a great dedication it is that teachers set aside the busy work in Hong Kong and gave lectures in Sichuan. The great sense of mission to promote rehabilitation demonstrated from RS always motivates me. I thank RS and all my teachers.

Occupational Therapy 89 Class Reunion Dinner

The occupational therapy graduates from The Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1989 was recently celebrating their 30th anniversary. A dinner reception was held on October 18th 2019 at the Hong Kong Bankers’ Club. Seven guests were being invited and four tables of buddies had attended the event. Our dear guests included Prof. Chetwyn Chan, Dr Francis Kung, Dr Kit Sinclair, Mr Robert O’Brien, Mrs. Shelley Chow, and Dr York Chow, who had taught us at school (Picture 1). Prof. Hector Tsang, Head of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was representing the pleasure of the Alma Mater to attend the anniversary dinner. During the dinner, the teachers shared their memories of the old days when they were teaching at the occupational therapy programme. Dr. Francis Kung, who currently resides in Melbourne, Australia, travelled afar to attend the dinner. Mr Robert O’Brien, who taught design and printing during the days, is still running a design studio in Cheung Chau. During the dinner, there were sharing of stories of now and then, photo-taking, quizzes, etc. arranged by the organizing committee led by the chairlady Ms Mayee Wong (Picture 2). Moreover, there was a FaceTime session with the past programme leader - Dr Baboo Dasari, who is now teaching at the University of Southampton. Ms Joanna James and Ms Donna Murphy, who are now living in the United Kingdom and on the Gold Coast, Queenstown, Australia respectively, also sent their greetings and very best wishes to our celebration. The graduates also played a game to recall the names of the teachers at their times of study in 1986-87. Although not all graduates were now working as occupational therapists in the field, they were all happy to have such a precious gathering, connecting each other after so many years. They are also looking ahead to meet again at the 35th anniversary.  

Congratulations to Prof. Marco Pang for winning the “Journal of Physiotherapy (JoP) Readers’ Choice Award 2018”

Prof. Marco Pang, Professor (Physiotherapy) of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) received the Journal of Physiotherapy (JoP) Readers’ Choice Award 2018. The Award was presented to Prof. Marco Pang by the Editor of the JoP at the Australian Physiotherapy Association Conference on 17-19 Oct 2019 in Adelaide, for his research paper entitled "Physical exercise improves strength, balance, mobility, and endurance in people with cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review". The JoP ranks the first among all the journals in the Rehabilitation category, with an impact factor of 5.55.

The 6th MOHO Institute at Chicago from 26-29 Sep, 2019

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has jointly co-organized with the Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to hold the 6th International Institute on Kielhofner’s Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) on 27-29 September 2019 at UIC campus. The institute is a symposium that highlights recent and ongoing international MOHO research and scholarship aimed at expanding theoretical application and evidence-based practice. Sponsored by RS and led by Prof. Hector Tsang, Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Head of RS, a group of 25pax consisting of RS academic staff members, PhD students and representatives of Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association attended the 6th MOHO Institute with participation in paper presentations and poster sessions. The 6th MOHO Institute attracted more than 120 participants from different countries and received over 60 abstract papers. Being the keynote speaker and also the co-chair with Prof. Renée Taylor, Director of Model of Human Occupation Clearinghouse and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of College of Applied Health Sciences of UIC, Prof. Tsang delivered the Honorary Guest Lecture on the Traditional Chinese Medicine at the first night of conference. Through various presentations, discussions and interactive poster sessions, the 3-day conference has provided a good opportunity for participants to engage with MOHO theory, research and practice. After the conference, RS team has conducted a tour visit to the Occupational Therapy Department of UIC and met with Prof. Yolanda Suarez-Balcazar, Professor and Head of the Department of Occupational Therapy. It has been a fruitful experience and RS team has learnt more about the OT programme of UIC, fostering the collaborative relationships between RS and UIC.

RS supports Kwai Tsing District Health Centre Opening Ceremony

Prof. Hector Tsang (Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Head of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS)) is a member of Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development (Food and Health Bureau). Prof. Tsang led RS staff and students to attend the opening ceremony of Kwai Tsing District Health Centre (Kwai Tsing DHC) on 24 September 2019. Kwai Tsing DHC is the first district health centre in Hong Kong and commences services on 25 September. It will provide health promotion, health assessment, chronic disease management, and community rehabilitation services to the public in a new mode.  During the opening ceremony, there are 20 students from Physiotherapy (Year 3) and Occupational Therapy (Year 4) served as volunteers. They assisted the operation and provided logistics support for the ceremony. For more details, please visit the press release from HKSAR.

President Teng and Dr Miranda Lou met with RS High-Flyer students

2019 – 2020 High Flyer Mentorship Programme luncheon was held on 13 September 2019. RS was so pleased to have Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (President of PolyU), Dr Miranda Lou (Executive Vice President of PolyU), Prof. David Shum (Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, Chair Professor of Neuropsychology, Dean, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences) and more than 30 staff and high flyer of Year 1 students from Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) joined the luncheon. When delivering the welcome speech, President Teng welcomed the students to PolyU and RS, and congratulated for their excellent results on DSE and IB or outstanding sports achievement. He encouraged the students to develop the ability of self-learning and using their professional knowledge that trained by RS to serve the community in the future.  Prof. Hector Tsang (Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Head, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences) explained that the High Flyer Mentorship Programme provided a platform for high flyer students to meet with the elite alumni from Physiotherapy (PT) or Occupational therapy (OT) fields.  They are able to receive the advice about the study and future career to strengthen their sense of belonging and take pride in studying PT and OT. The students also shared the reasons for choosing to study PT and OT programme and the vision of the study during the sharing session. During the lunch after the sharing, the attendees exchanged their views on different topics, especially regarding the future development of PolyU in Greater Bay Area. They were very engaged in the exchange and looking forward to the upcoming event.

Prof. Hector Tsang visited to Kwai Tsing District Health Centre

Prof. Hector Tsang (Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Head, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS)) is a member of Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development (Food and Health Bureau) conducted a VIP visit to Kwai Tsing District Health Centre (K&TDHC) on 11 September 2019 before the opening of K&TDHC. K&TDHC is the first district health centre in Hong Kong. The Centre will be launched at the end of September. It will provide health promotion, health assessment, chronic disease management, and community rehabilitation services to the public in a new mode. The delegation from Food and Health Bureau, Department of Health, Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development and Management Committee of Kwai Tsing District Health Centre gain a better understanding of the status and readiness for service launching of the K&TDHC during the visit. At the end of the visit, Prof. Sophia CHAN (Secretary for Food and Health, Food and Health Bureau) conducted a briefing regarding the latest development of District Health Centre to the members of Steering Committee on Primary Healthcare Development. For more details of the visits, please visit the FaceBook Page of Prof. Sophia CHAN (Chinese only)

Visit to the Hong Kong Sports Institute

Prof. Hector Tsang (Cally Kwong Mei Wan Professor in Psychosocial Health, Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Head, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS)) and Dr Amy Fu (Associate Professor and Associate Head of RS) conducted a visit to the Hong Kong Sports Institute ("HKSI") yesterday (2 September) to better understand the latest development of HKSI on the training of elite athletes. During the lunch meeting with Dr Trisha Leahy (Chief Executive of HKSI), Mr Tony Choi (Deputy Chief Executive of HKSI), and Dr Raymond So (Technical Director of HKSI), Prof. Tsang and Dr Fu took the opportunity to exchange views on the provision of support to the elite athletes and the possible collaborations between RS and HKSI. Followed by a tour visit to the sports medicine and sports sciences departments, as well as the training venues of table tennis and fencing teams, Prof. Tsang and Dr Fu were able to gain a better understanding of the development of HKSI on various aspects including sports physiotherapy, sports recovery, sports nutrition and monitoring, sports psychology and monitoring, sport training and monitoring sections.

Congratulations to Dr Bolton Chau for winning "RS Best Paper Award 2019"

 The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences is pleased to announce that that the RS BEST PAPER AWARD 2019 goes to Dr Bolton Chau (Assistant Professor, RS) for his following publication:   Output Ref. 2018000160 Output Description "The macaque anterior cingulate cortex translates counterfactual choice value into actual behavioral change". Nature Neuroscience, Vol. 22, No. 5, pp.797-808 (May 2019) ISSN 1097-6256(print), 1546-1726(electronic) (http://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-019-0375-6) Authors Fouragnan, Elsa F.* Chau, Bolton K H Folloni, Davide Kolling, Nils Verhagen, Lennart Klein-Flügge, Miriam Tankelevitch, Lev Papageorgiou, Georgios K. Aubry, Jean-Francois Sallet, Jerome Rushworth, Matthew F. S. Name of Journal Nature Neuroscience Impact factor 2018 21.126 SCI/SSCI, non-index SCI Subject Category NEUROSCIENCES - SCIE Total Journals in Category 267 Journal Rank in Category 2 % 0.75%   The selection panel (Prof. David Shum, Prof. David Man, Head of RS) has concluded the result based on the following criteria. • Dr Bolton Chau (listed as 2nd author) has declared equal contribution to the paper. • The journal is highly prestigious in the field and has very high impact factor which far surpassed the other competing papers in this reporting year. • The paper is translational in nature having potential for application in rehabilitation. This award will continue in the coming four years during headship of Prof. Hector Tsang until 2023, hoping to encourage more staff members to produce high impact journal papers.