On 27 May 2023, a memorable celebration was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The event commenced with an engaging Fun Lecture on the significance of former staff and community involvement. The Lecture was delivered by a panel of distinguished speakers, including Eric CHUI, Head of APSS, and Helen YU, Jenny HUI, Teresa TSIEN, all former colleagues of APSS. Rodney CHU, Chairperson of APSS 50th Anniversary Organising Committee, gave the closing remarks. Raymond TAM also sent greetings from Singapore with a group of Social Policy & Social Entrepreneurship students, who were awaiting a return flight to Hong Kong after having completed a student exchange programme.
The latter part of the Fun Lecture involved a visit to the E-memory Promenade, which comprised three corridor lanes that are located on the fourth floor of HJ Wing and GH Wing belonging to APSS. Participants were invited to use their NFC-enabled mobile phones to tap or scan the cards and then view the details of different departmental memorabilia, such as certificates and old departmental photos, hung on the walls. They were also able to access the latest departmental information and relevant news.
Following this, a Gala Dinner was organised in the evening. About 300 participants from the community attended the Dinner to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of APSS. The event was a great success, with guests enjoying delicious food, pleasant company, and an evening of entertainment.
Throughout the evening, several speeches were delivered by eminent personalities, including Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS; and Prof. Angelina YUEN-TSANG, former Head and Honorary Professor of APSS. Also, speeches were given by alumni of APSS, including Prof. Bainian SHI, Mr Chi Hong WOO, Mr Charles CHAN, Outstanding APSS alumnus of 2022, and Ms Yvonne CHAK, Outstanding APSS alumna of 2023.
Highlights of the event included a celebration of APSS' remarkable achievements over the past five decades and a donation towards the APSS Graduates Association Award. The evening was filled with joy and a strong sense of community spirit, making it an unforgettable celebration. It also served as a reminder of the vital role of community involvement in creating vibrant and flourishing societies.
