Research Student Attachment Programme (RSAP) 2023

Research Student Attachment Programme (RSAP) 2023   Through the Research Student Attachment Programme (RSAP) 2023, APSS PhD students will be going on a three- to six-month exchange in world-renowned universities. Also, PhD students from internationally acclaimed overseas universities will visit APSS. This year, APSS is proud to announce the following outgoing and incoming PhD student arrangements:   Outgoing Student to University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, USA: Ms Xiaoyan CHEN is a 3rd year PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Edward CHAN (Chief Supervisor) and Dr Camilla LO (Co-supervisor). Ms Chen will spend three months at the School of Social Work, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Prof. Richard M. TOLMAN will serve as Ms Chen’s host supervisor at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Prof. Tolman is an outstanding scholar in the field of family violence.    Outgoing Student to National University of Singapore, Singapore: Mr Bo LI will spend six months at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore (NUS). Mr Li is a 3rd year PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Juan CHEN (Chief Supervisor) and Dr Chengpang LEE (Co-supervisor). Dr Natasha HOWARD will serve as Mr Li’s host supervisor at NUS. Dr Howard is an interdisciplinary health policy and systems researcher, focusing primarily on low and middle-income countries.     Incoming Student from The University of Chicago, USA: Miss Linyun FU is a doctoral student from the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at The University of Chicago, under the supervision of Prof. J. Curtis MCMILLEN. Miss Fu’s research focuses on promoting the well-being of rural children in China through a social-emotional learning-based intervention. Miss Fu will visit APSS for three months to collaborate on multiple projects on the resilience of migrant children with Dr Lu YU, who will serve as Miss Fu’s supervisor.   Incoming Student from University of Antwerp, Belgium: Mr Benjamin Muhoza KANZE is a doctoral student from the University of Antwerp, under the supervision of Prof. Tom DE HERDT. Dr Karita KAN will supervise Mr Kanze during his three-month attachment at APSS. Mr Kanze’s thesis aims to examine the mechanisms of accumulation and the extent of economic inequality in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). During his attachment at PolyU, he also aims to finish writing two manuscripts, participate in APSS events, and disseminate his research findings in seminars.  

APSS’ 50th Anniversary - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Workshop – Full House!

Kicking off the first event to celebrate its 50th Anniversary, the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) had the pleasure of hosting Dr Samuel LEUNG, our alumnus and former Programme Leader of the Master of Social Work (Mental Health) Programme, to deliver a face-to-face workshop on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) at the intermediate level on 31st December 2022. From 2016 onward, Samuel has held more than 15 experiential workshops for mental health social workers, and is one of the most active ACT trainers in the field of mental health care in Hong Kong.   With over 45 APSS social work graduates in attendance, the workshop provided them with an in-depth introduction to ACT, Relational Frame Theory, Applied Behavioural Analysis, and case conceptualisation. In addition, our graduates were paired up for various experiential activities such as ‘two-scale-metaphor’, ‘don’t-do-what-you-think’, and ‘physicalising’. Our graduates offered remarkable feedbacks on the quality and level of training from Samuel’s workshop. APSS looks forward to providing more advanced ACT training for our graduates and alumni in the future.   We are very grateful to have spent the last day of 2022 in such a meaningful and fruitful event. A series of events will be held to celebrate APSS’ 50th Anniversary in the first half of 2023. Stay tuned!

2022 PolyU Israel Study Tour

Dr Ben KU, Associate Professor of APSS and Director of China and Global Development Network, and Ms Kan YIP, Assistant Director (Development and Partnership) of China and Global Development Network recently led a study tour to Israel. In total, 13 students from the Doctor of Social Work programme and four PhD students from APSS went on the tour to Israel with funding support from Keswick Foundation.    With the main theme of “Social Work of Reconciliation”, the study tour was held from 11th to 21st December 2022. The study tour was conducted in collaboration with Borderless Friendship Foundation from Thailand. The highlight of the tour was the two roundtables at University of Haifa and Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The schedule was packed with visits to non-governmental organisations (NGOs), foundations, and cultural centres. For example, they visited Beit HaGefen – an Arab-Jewish cultural centre, Muslala in Haifa, an NGO by artists, residents, and community activists of the Musrara neighborhood in Jerusalem, Kaima Organic Farm, Jerusalem Intercultural Centre, Musalaha – an NGO that teaches, trains and facilitates reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue.   Students cherished the valuable learning experience and inter-cultural exchange. They were actively involved in exchanging views with the locals, NGOs and experienced practitioners, which further consolidated the knowledge they had learnt in class.

Nurturing Junior Researchers to Promote Mental Health among Youngsters in Hong Kong

Dr Angel LAI, Assistant Professor of APSS, and Miss Cynthia LEUNG, Project Assistant of APSS, participated in the Junior Researcher Mentoring Programme 2022, which was organised by the Global Engagement Office of PolyU. Both led a team of three secondary school students to understand the mental health of young people in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore co-production as a strategy to promote the welling of our youths.   The team was invited to share their research findings with Ms Alice MAK, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs; Mr Clarence LEUNG, Under Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, and Mr Gordon CHEUNG, Political Assistant to Home and Youth Affairs, in mid-September, 2022. The team also attended an interview for a Commercial Radio Hong Kong programme - Beautiful Sunday (政好星期天) about mental health of local secondary school students on 9 October 2022. [Click here to listen to the radio programme]   APSS is working closely with the Hong Kong Government and non-profit organisations in projects focusing on enhancing provision of integrated health and social services for vulnerable populations, and promoting the career development of young people in Hong Kong.

Workshop Benefiting APSS Colleagues Teaching and Research Development

The Departmental Learning and Teaching Committee (DLTC) organised a workshop on 20 December 2022.CAVE-cum-Studio Device.   We are honoured to invite Prof. Daniel SHEK, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme), Chair Professor of APSS, and Li and Fung Endowed Professor in Service Leadership Education, to share his illuminating insight and experience on writing and publishing papers on Teaching and Learning; and Dr Rodney CHU, Chairperson of DLTC and Senior Teaching Fellow of APSS, to introduce the CAVE-cum-Studio Device (CSD) that will come into service in January 2023 and demonstrate the use of CSD in the workshop.   We believe that the Learning and Teaching endeavours of the Department will move to a new horizon by employing novel and innovative pedagogical strategies. 

Farewell to APSS Inbound Exchange Students in Semester One of 2022/23

With Semester One of 2022/23 coming to an end, APSS organised a Chinese dim sum ‘Farewell’ lunch gathering for inbound exchange students who are going to return to their home universities soon. The students enjoyed the local cuisine and traditional dim sum delicacies. Many interesting conversations we had over the lunch, with topics including culture, travelling and university life. We are grateful for their presence and involvement in APSS, and we wish them every success in their studies! More cross-cultural activities will be organised in the coming semester. Stay tuned!

Joining Force with the CIIF to Implement Social Capital Development Project in the Community

APSS has been collaborating with The Community Investment and Inclusion Fund (CIIF) on a practice research project “Evaluation as Learning Tools: Practice Research for the PRH Projects" to energise the community and build a caring society. The project’s annual seminar “Practice Research - The Process of Developing Social Capital by Social Workers’ 2022 Conference: Community Work, Recovery and Developmental Orientation in COVID”held on 9 December 2022.   As a note of appreciation, a certificate was presented to Prof. CHUI in the opening session of the CIIF 20th Anniversary Forumby Mr KWAN Chuk-fai, MH, JP, Chairman of CIIF Committee on 14 December 2022. A certificate was presented to Prof. CHUI in the opening session of the Forum by Mr KWAN Chuk-fai, MH, JP, Chairman of CIIF Committee as a note of appreciation.   APSS will continue to support the community through collaborations with the government and NGOs, and strive to educate students who provide compassionate human services to the society.

Enhancing Students’ Overseas Learning Opportunities

APSS always strives to establish mutually enriching collaborations with universities worldwide in order to provide overseas exchange opportunities for our students.  We are delighted to announce our new partnership with Fudan University, China, for student and staff exchange for five years. In addition, APSS has also renewed student exchange agreements with the University of Calgary, Canada, and JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland. We hope that this will enhance students’ overseas learning opportunities, promote well-rounded development, and nurture a global perspective. Apart from the aforementioned universities, many more are available under our student exchange programme.    In 2023/24 academic year, APSS offers 12 exchange institutes for our student's consideration.  The University of Queensland, Australia University of Calgary, Canada Fudan University - 復旦大學, Chinese Mainland Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland [Agreement renewal is in progress]  JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Nagoya University, Japan National University of Singapore, Singapore Linköping University, Sweden National Taiwan University - 國立臺灣大學, Taiwan University of Birmingham, UK University of Leeds, UK Students who are interested in the exchange programme can contact Ms Beckie Li, our Student Exchange and International Affairs Coordinator, or visit the following websites for more details: APSS Departmental Website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/experience-and-opportunities/current-students/student-exchange/ The Globe Engagement Office:  https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/exchange-and-study-abroad/outgoing-students/semester-exchange/

The Outstanding Students Award Scheme 2022

Ms Wing Kiu LAU (BA (Hons) in Social Work) is selected as the most outstanding student. This award is a testament not only to her outstanding academic accomplishments during her studies in APSS but also to her strong leadership ability, active involvement in extra-curricular activities, substantial community service and exemplary personal merit. Wing Kiu has aptly demonstrated numerous qualities that make this award well-deserved.   On her achievement, Wing Kiu said, “This Award is truly one of my significant milestones in life! My four-year journey at PolyU has been so fruitful and meaningful. Gaining a more reflective understanding of the social work practice and learning extensive theoretical knowledge, I have explored my interests and grown professionally. Besides, I am also very grateful to receive sincere guidance and support from my Departmental staff, mentor, family and friends. They have motivated me to contribute to the best of myself and explore my potential through reaching out to a variety of learning opportunities, including exchange programmes and extracurricular activities. Broadening my perspective on the world and society, I have improved myself to become a more well-rounded and knowledgeable person.” Congratulations to Wing Kiu on her award! 

Launch Ceremony of PReCIT

As part of the University’s 85th Anniversary celebratory events, PolyU hosted the “Forum on Integrating I&T into GBA and the National System cum Launch Ceremony of Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT)” on 24 November 2022. About 300 guests, staff members, students, alumni, and leaders from I&T, finance, and academia attended this grand occasion and exchanged views on how Hong Kong can proactively integrate into the Nation’s development plan.   The launch ceremony officially set in motion PReCIT’s endeavour to spearhead interdisciplinary, multisectoral collaboration that answers to the research and policymaking challenges in three areas: Carbon-neutral Cities, Greater Bay Area I&T development, and One Belt and Road Development (with a focus on Southeast Asia). Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS and Co-Director of PReCIT, concluded the event with closing remarks. In his talk, Prof. CHUI reiterated the importance of a concerted effort from all sectors of the community to establish and sustain a conducive environment that attracts high-calibre I&T talents to Hong Kong.   For more information about PReCIT’s events, please visit www.polyu.edu.hk/precit/. PolyU Press release: English - https://polyu.me/3GH1MC8; Chinese - https://polyu.me/3OAc3SC   Online coverage: Commercial Radio - https://polyu.me/3Oygc9w Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/3XzxBTE Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/3tX3Uy5 Hong Kong Economic Times - https://polyu.me/3EzZAtE Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3GLaOyc Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3tVNl5x Xinhua Net - https://polyu.me/3ADILwr China News Service - https://polyu.me/3i519YR 6do.news - https://polyu.me/3gvKwoK Sina - https://polyu.me/3V4YE7z Bauhinia - https://polyu.me/3gsCTQ8 Capital Magazine - https://polyu.me/3GGv9Vg Master Insight - https://polyu.me/3u1U51Q China Daily - https://polyu.me/3GUsSFQ People.com - https://polyu.me/3V9twDN SZNews - https://polyu.me/3EECjqd