News

Celebrating Excellence: Inauguration of the 2024/25 Academic Year

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences marked the commencement of the 2024/25 academic year with an inauguration ceremony on August 28, 2024. This event also served as a platform to honour the remarkable accomplishments of our alumni, staff and students. During the ceremony, awards were presented to celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of our alumni and staff, by the guest of honour Mr Fletch Chan, Commissioner for Rehabilitation, Labour and Welfare Bureau. Award: Outstanding Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2024 Recipient: Prof. Chetwyn Chan Award: Outstanding Teaching Team Award Recipients: Team Leader: Prof. Marco Pang Team Members: Dr Shirley Ngai, Dr Clare Yu, Dr Patrick Kwong, Dr Janet Lee, Dr Benson Lau, Dr Richard Xu, Dr Hoe Lee Award: Outstanding Teacher Award Recipient: Dr Arnold Wong Award: Outstanding Young Teacher Award Recipient: Ms Vera Lam Award: Outstanding Young Researcher Award Recipient: Dr Georg Kranz Award: Outstanding Service Award - Team Award for Academic/ Teaching/ Clinical Staff Recipients: Mr Tang Kin Chung, Mr Tony Wong, Ms Jacqueline Au-Yeung, Prof. Karen Liu, Ms Josephine Wong, Dr Arnold Wong Award: Outstanding Service Award - Individual Award for Non-academic Staff Recipient: Mr Thomas Chan Award: Outstanding Service Award - Team Award for Non-academic Staff Recipients: Ms Cathy Ng, Ms Bernice Chan, Ms Candy Choy The Department looks forward to another successful academic year filled with impactful contributions in academic, research and services. We extend heartfelt congratulations to all awardees.

PolyU collaborates with SF&OC to provide sports therapy and rehabilitation services to emerging athletes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to leverage PolyU’s professional rehabilitation services and research excellence to support up-and-coming athletes from the four member associations of SF&OC: Handball Association of Hong Kong, China; The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China; The Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong, China; and The Hong Kong, China Tennis Association. The collaboration aims to enhance athletes’ performance and reduce injury risks, helping them achieve better results in competitions. The signing was witnessed by Ms Candy NIP, Acting Commissioner for Sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; and Mr Timothy FOK, President of SF&OC. Prof. Jing-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Mr Edgar YANG, Honorary Secretary General of SF&OC signed the MOU on behalf of both parties. The ceremony was also attended by PolyU’s Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Prof. David SHUM; Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), Prof. Marco PANG; Associate Head of RS, Prof. Amy FU; and SF&OC’s Honorary Deputy Secretary General, Mr WONG Po Kee; as well as representatives from the member associations and athletes. Dr Lam said that the Hong Kong, China delegation had made historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, winning two gold and two bronze medals and bringing honour to both Hong Kong and the Nation. He continued by noting that their success was not only due to the athtletes’ perseverance and hard work, but also to the dedicated efforts of their support team. He said, “PolyU has consistently supported the promotion and implementation of the Government’s five sports development policy objectives. We sincerely thank SF&OC for their work over the years, providing athletes with an excellent environment within which they can develop, finally achieving great success in their sporting careers. We look forward to collaborating with SF&OC, leveraging PolyU’s expertise and research achievements in the field of rehabilitation therapy to offer better training and support for the athletes, helping them shine in international competitions and bring glory to Hong Kong and the Nation.” Mr Fok noted that, “As a university focusing on science, engineering and technology, PolyU gives full play to its advantages in sports science and sports therapy to provide athletes with sports technology, injury prevention and rehabilitation support, and help athletes overcome injuries to regain or even improve on their pre-injury level of performance.” He was grateful for PolyU’s keen support to athletes and those collaborating to foster a favourable environment for athletes, adding that he was looking forward to closer cooperation with PolyU in the future. Through the collaboration, a team of staff and students, led by Prof. Fu, will provide pre-season assessments, training support, rehabilitation therapy and on-site support to up-and-coming athletes from four national sports associations. It is expected that around 100 students from PolyU’s Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and Master of Science in Sports Physiotherapy, and the School of Professional Education and Executive Development of PolyU’s Professional Certificate in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy will particpate in the first academic year. The team aims to use this collaborative model to conduct assessments to identify injury-prone areas, observe athletes’ training posture and analyse movements that may lead to injury, provide rehabilitation therapy for injured athletes and offer on-site support for competing athletes. This initiative is expected to enhance athletes’ performance and bring greater sporting glory to Hong Kong.

Prof. Marco Pang Appointed to the HKSAR Government's Primary Healthcare Committee

Prof. Marco Pang, Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation, and Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, as well as Director of the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, has been appointed as a non-official committee member of the HKSAR Government’s Primary Healthcare Committee in July 2024. This appointment aims to support the newly established Primary Health Commission (PHC Commission) in planning primary healthcare services and allocating resources through strategic purchasing, with the goal of enhancing the overall primary healthcare service. The Department extends its sincere congratulations to Prof. Pang and fully supports his participation in assisting the PHC Commission to effectively carry out its functions and powers.

Congratulations to RS PhD Students on Winning the PolyU and FHSS 3MT Competitions 2024!

We are proud to share that Ms LAM Wing Tung Winnie, a dedicated PhD student under the guidance of Prof. Kenneth Fong, has triumphed in the prestigious PolyU 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition 2024. Not only did she secure the Champion title, but she also received the People's Choice award! The 3MT competition is a challenging platform that requires doctoral researchers to distill their extensive research into a compelling three-minute presentation, making their work accessible to a general audience. Winnie's outstanding presentation skills and her ability to clearly communicate her research made her stand out among the competitors, earning her this top honour at the university level. We would also like to commend Mr Douglas Affonso FORMOLO, supervised by Dr Sonata Yau, who, along with Winnie, was an awardee of the FHSS 3MT competition at the faculty level. Their impressive performances led to their nominations for the university-level competition, where Winnie achieved this remarkable victory. Join us in celebrating their fantastic achievement!

Announcing Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Chetwyn Chan has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2024. Prof. Chan's remarkable career and contributions to our field make him an exemplary figure deserving of this accolade. His tenure as the former Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences saw significant advancements in both the academic and research capabilities of our department. Currently, he serves as the Vice President (Research and Development) and endowed chair professorship at The Education University of Hong Kong, a testament to his exceptional achievements in research. One of Prof. Chan's most notable contributions is his unwavering commitment to nurturing and training the next generation of rehabilitation science researchers and professionals. His work has received widespread recognition and commendation from various local, national, and international bodies. Beyond academia, Prof. Chan has been a pivotal figure in professional and community service. His active participation in government committees and advisory bodies underscores his broad influence across sectors. Notably, as Chairperson of the Executive Committee of The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, his visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving the organisation's mission forward. Prof. Chan is also celebrated for pioneering the integration of academia with the community. His advocacy for the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) in clinical practice has become a strategic recommendation of the current Rehabilitation Programme Plan (RPP) of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, solidifying his legacy and influence. He also spearheads evidence-based and large-scale community screening of older people with cognitive decline in mainland China. In addition, we are pleased to share that Prof. Chan will be nominated to run for the Outstanding Alumni Award at the faculty level. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the assessment panel, comprised of both internal and external members, for their thorough deliberation and consideration. Please join us in congratulating Prof. Chan on this well-deserved honour.

RS Collaborates with NGOs to Promote Social Inclusion and Well-being of Older Adults, Children and Ethnic Minorities Through Table Tennis

RS Associate Professor and Past President of the Rotary Club of Tsim Sha Tsui, Dr Cynthia Lai, organised a community service project titled “Ping Pong without Boundaries” to promote social inclusion and well-being. This initiative offers free table tennis activities to older adults (service users of care and attention homes or day care centres), children with special needs, and ethnic minority groups from October 2023 to April 2024. The Rotary Club of Tsim Sha Tsui is the primary organizer of this community service project, with co-organizers including PolyU RS, Hong Kong Christian Service, Be The Change, and the Hong Kong, China Table Tennis Association. The Rotary Club of Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Christian Service hosted a closing ceremony for “Ping Pong without Boundaries” on 13 April 2024 at the Jockey Club Innovation Tower, PolyU, with support from the PolyU Research Centre for Assistive Technology, NGOs, and entrepreneurs. More than 230 attendees joined the closing ceremony. This community service project originated from a R&D project (Technology-enhanced Table Tennis Training Programme) between PolyU RS and Hong Kong Christian Service aimed at promoting the well-being of older adults with dementia and children with special educational needs. It was extended to community service through collaborations between the Rotary Club, PolyU, NGOs, and a large group of volunteers (e.g., table tennis coaches, occupational therapists, teachers, students, and businessmen). This platform exemplifies cross-disciplinary and cross-professional collaboration. As shared by FHSS Dean, Prof David Shum, in the welcome speech at the closing ceremony, “As we look towards the future, our commitment remains steadfast in collaborating with various community sectors. We will persist in our efforts to promote impactful cooperative projects that bring significant benefits to society.”

Dr Freddy Lam Appointed to the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee

Dr Freddy Lam, Assistant Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was appointed by the Hong Kong SAR government as a member of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC) under the Labour and Welfare Bureau. The RAC was set up in 1977 as the principal advisory body of the Government on matters pertaining to the well-being of persons with disabilities as well as the development and implementation of rehabilitation policies and services. The RAC also assists the Government in promoting and monitoring the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Hong Kong. The Department sincerely congratulates Dr Lam and supports his involvement in improving rehabilitation services and policies in Hong Kong.

PolyU OT Students Lead the Way at the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that our innovative service learning project, ActivePoly, has been selected as a finalist at the 12th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards 2024 in the category of Innovation of the Year - Community Social Engagement. Representing PolyU, a team of four dedicated final year occupational therapy students (Lee Yan Wing ,Sarah; Lee Oi Ling, Grace; Pau Yat Hei, Zita; Ng Shu Ting, Eisa) felt immense excitement and honour to be part of such a significant event. ActivePoly is a unique initiative designed to enhance the social engagement of the elderly. It revolves around a large, Monopoly-like board game that encourages participation across four key dimensions: social, physical, cognitive, and mental functions. The aim of the team was to create a fun and interactive environment that not only entertains but also promotes overall well-being among the elderly community. The project was a collaboration with the Hong Kong Housing Society under the subject RS4280 and was supervised by Ms Stella Cheng, Professor of Practice of RS. It was a privilege for the team to represent PolyU OT and participate in the event before graduation. We sincerely hope that more impactful programmes will be developed to support the vitality and health of our ageing population through primary prevention for the public.

Mr Lin Tianze Awarded Hong Kong PhD Fellowship

We are proud to announce that Mr Lin Tianze (Tim), a research assistant within the team of Dr Georg Kranz, Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), has been honoured with the highly competitive Hong Kong PhD Fellowship for the academic year 2024/25. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is renowned for its aim to recruit outstanding scholars from around the globe to undertake PhD studies in Hong Kong, providing a platform where academic excellence meets unparalleled research opportunities. Out of many hopefuls, only 350 PhD Fellowships have been awarded for the 2024/25 academic year, marking Mr Lin's achievement as particularly notable. In his two years under Dr Kranz's mentorship, Tim has been an integral part of groundbreaking projects aimed at advancing non-invasive brain stimulation treatments for mental health disorders. His contributions have not only furthered the progress of the Department's research but have also earned him co-authorship in leading international publications such as Lancet Psychiatry and Brain Stimulation. With this fellowship, Tim is set to deepen his exploration into the innovative use of concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and MRI scanning. The outcomes of his research may facilitate hypothesis formation for future clinical studies of TMS, especially concerning the treatment of depression, thereby potentially benefiting countless patients worldwide. RS eagerly anticipates the contributions Tim’s work will make to the field of mental health treatment and rehabilitation sciences. Please join us in congratulating Mr Lin Tianze on this exceptional achievement.

RS Student Athletes Excels at PolyU Sports Team Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony

The PolyU Sports Team Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony 2024, held on 17 April, was a resounding success. Among the distinguished prize recipients were 49 outstanding students from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. These talented individuals were honoured with scholarships and awards that included prestigious titles such as PolyU Best Athletes of the Year, PolyU Most Valuable Player, Distinguished Athletes Scholarship, Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen, The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, and The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Congratulations to all the student athletes for their remarkable achievements! Name Sports Programme Scholarship / Award Hong Dylan Carswell Athletics (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Hong Kiu Athletics (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Tsz Chun Athletics (M) Master in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player Yau Marc Athletics (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lie Hiu Ching Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Ng Hoi Ki Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Yeung Tik Sum Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Yu Hiu Ying Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lau Fong Ying Athletics/Basketball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen; PolyU Most Valuable Player; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Yip Tak Long Athletics/Cross Country (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; PolyU Most Valuable Player Law Hoi Lam Badminton (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Ngai Darren Basketball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes Choy Yuen Yat Cross Country (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Chan Wai Yan Alison Cross Country (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lai Wing Tung Cross Country (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tam Hiu Ching Cross Country (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Chan Adrian Fencing (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Choi Shun Hei Fencing (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Chung Wan Yin Fencing (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Kwan Yee Man Fencing (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Lai Hiu Tung Fencing (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Wai Shan Handball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Lee Wing Yin Rugby (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Leung Hei Long Soccer (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Chan Yee Hing Soccer (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Chan Yin Ban Swimming (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Sam Yat Kan Swimming (M) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Tsz Ho Swimming (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Chow Tsz Hei Swimming (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Hui Ka Ling Swimming (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lui Ho Yee Chloe Swimming (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Tam Hoi Lam Swimming (W) Master in Physiotherapy PolyU Best Athletes of the Year & Soo Chew Bong Sports Scholarship; The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tang Wai Ho Taekwondo (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Yau Man To Christopher Taekwondo (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Ismail Amina Taekwondo (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Ko Victoria Man Ching Taekwondo (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tang Tsz Wing Taekwondo (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tham Jun Yan Trevor Tennis (M) Master in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Leung Gerald Volleyball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tang Bo Yeung Volleyball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player; The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Ng Ki Wing Volleyball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Suen Yee Tung Volleyball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Wong Wing Suet Volleyball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes Kwok Ho Long Woodball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Wong Hoi Chun Woodball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Yu Cheuk Him Curtis Woodball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Liu Hau Yan Woodball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Mak Pui Yu Cherry Woodball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen