APSSGA's Movie Screening and Fundraising Event

On 8 March 2025, the APSS Graduates Association (APSSGA) successfully organised a Movie Screening and Fundraising event. The event, which also included a ‘Director Sharing Session’, was held at Premiere Elements. About 100 APSS alumni, students, and colleagues came together to watch the movie “The Way We Talk” which received seven nominations in the 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards, and the main female character won the Best Leading Actress in the 61st Golden Horse Awards for her role.   After watching the movie, its director, Mr Adam Sau Ping WONG, joined us to share about the background and preparation to produce this remarkable movie which was very received.   All proceeds from this fundraising event will go to the APSSGA Hardship Fund (APSSGA Award). The Award is established to support APSS students with financial difficulties. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who generously donated to this meaningful cause.   Donations to the APSSGA Award can be made at the following website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/about-apss/giving-to-apss/  

APSS Students Meet with the President of the Legislative Council (LegCo) of Hong Kong

About 20 APSS students participated in an enriching outside classroom learning activity on 18 February 2025.  Organised by the LegCo Secretariat under the “Meeting with Members of the Legislative Council” programme, the activity included a tour of the LegCo Complex and an interactive session with Hon Andrew Kwan-yuen LEUNG, the President of the LegCo. The students showed enthusiasm about current affairs and seized the chance to raise questions with the LegCo President on various burning social issues, including youth development, education, economic development and aging. This experience provided students with a valuable platform to relate theoretical knowledge learnt in classroom with real-world governance and policymaking, thereby deepening their understanding of Hong Kong’s legislative processes. Online coverage: Ming Pao Daily News - https://polyu.me/4hEuPpF Hong Kong Economic Journal - https://polyu.me/4k2r3rA Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/3EDyhSI Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3EGAcWV Hong Kong Commercial Daily - https://polyu.me/3D84tx7 HK01 - https://polyu.me/3Qpb8Ge

Seminar on Social Policy Education and Publishing Workshop

The Centre for Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship of APSS hosted two sessions delivered by Dr Ruby CHAU, Associate Professor in Public and Social Policy at the University of Nottingham and Editor of Social Policy and Society, on 19 February 2025. Both sessions were moderated by Prof. Iris LO, Assistant Professor of APSS.   Seminar on Social Policy Education: Challenges and Opportunities in the UK and Beyond   Drawing on the concept of international public and merit goods, Dr CHAU illustrated the opportunities for social policy education in the UK and beyond to pursue social justice and social equality.   Publishing Workshop in a Q1 Journal – An Interactive Session with the Editor of Social Policy and Society   Dr CHAU also held an interactive workshop on publishing in Social Policy and Society, a world-leading Q1 journal in the field of social policy. She shared her insights on the journal’s aims and scope, peer review process, and strategies for increasing chances of publication in an academic journal.   For more details about the journal: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/social-policy-and-society

Long Service Awards 2024

The Department of Applied Social Sciences extends sincere gratitude to Long Service Awards 2024 recipients for their unwavering dedication. They have demonstrated years of hard work, commitment, and passion, while earning the utmost respect from peers. Each esteemed colleague has significantly contributed to the successful development of the Department. 13 colleagues are honoured with the Long Service Award 2024, served from 5 to 35 years. They are: (In alphabetical order of surname) Dr Yammy CHAK Ms Rebecca CHAN Ms Fanny CHENG Ms Ella CHOW Ms Winnie FUNG Ms Jasmin HE  Miss Phoebe LEUNG Ms Lilian LEUNG  Dr Siu Wai LIT  Prof. Daniel T.L. SHEK Ms Emily SIU Ms Winnie WONG Dr Lu YU  Congratulations to all the recipients!  It is with great pride and appreciation that their achievements inspire and motivate a supportive Department environment, and we look forward to celebrating future successes together!

APSS Alumni Celebrate Unity and Joy at Chinese New Year Basin Feast 2025

On 15 February 2025, the APSS Graduates Association (APSSGA) successfully organised a memorable "Chinese New Year Basin Feast" (the Feast) at PolyU Alumni Atrium and A core podium. This Feast attracted an impressive turnout of 176 APSS alumni, staff, students and APSS community to join. On this special occasion, APSSGA presented the trophy to Dr Chi Kong SIU, the recipient of the Outstanding APSS Alumni Award 2024. In addition to sharing delicious basin dish, activities, such as gaming session, lucky draw and alumni sharing, helped foster a strong sense of connection and camaraderie among all participants. Both the APSS Graduates Association and APSS took this opportunity to express our gratitude to all participants’ enthusiastic support in making this gathering a resounding success and full of joy.   Useful Information to Alumni: To apply for a member of the APSS Graduates Association, please click this link: https://www.fhkpuaa.org.hk/Join-Us To apply for PolyU Alumni eCard, please use this link: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/experience-and-opportunities/alumni/graduates-association/  

APSS PhD Student Delivered Talks in Leeds and Oxford

Mr Peng WU, a PhD student of APSS, was invited to deliver talks at the University of Leeds and the University of Oxford, sharing insights from his doctoral research. He is supervised by Prof. Hok Bun KU, Professor of APSS and Director of the China and Global Development Network, and Prof. Crystal KWAN, Thetos Foundation Young Scholar in Social Services and Associate Professor of APSS.   On 4 December 2024, Peng delivered a talk in a seminar series organised by the Centre for Business Law and Practice at the University of Leeds, which focused on new technologies and research methods in business law. His presentation was titled “Digital Revolution in Rural China: The Rebellion of Commercial Bureaucracy and the Reinvention of the Spirit of Capitalism.”   On 13 January 2025, Peng shared his research with the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. His talk, titled “Moral Fluidity and Digital Economies: Socio-Economic Transformations in Rural China,” was chaired by Professor Todd Hall, Director of the University of Oxford China Centre.   Peng is currently visiting the University of Oxford, where he is advised by Prof. Rachel MURPHY, Professor of Chinese Development and Society. His visit is supported by the Research Student Attachment Programme at PolyU. He shares, “I am grateful to APSS and my supervisors for their support, who have given me the opportunity to engage with the global academic community. This experience inspires me to pursue my future academic career.”   Online coverage: University of Leeds: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/law/news/article/2085/new-technologies-and-research-methods-in-business-law-seminar-series-for-early-career-researchers University of Oxford: https://talks.ox.ac.uk/talks/id/90715242-4749-459c-9953-95e6009d4fab/

APSS Greater Bay Area Study Tour

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) organised a Greater Bay Area (GBA) study tour for students from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management (AASSM) programme from 7 to 10 January 2025. A total of 23 students from the programme participated in this enriching learning experience. Dr Xinxin CAI, Research Assistant Professor of APSS, and Ms Minyuan LI, Project Associate of the Research Centre for Gerontology and Family Studies, led the study tour to Zhuhai, Foshan, and Guangzhou. The study tour aimed to enhance students' understanding of cross-boundary eldercare policies in the GBA and prepare them for future internships and career development through experiential learning. Students visited the Hengqin Comprehensive Service Centre of the Guangdong Office of the Macao Neighbourhood Association Federation (澳門街坊會聯合總會廣東辦事處橫琴綜合服務中心), a cross-boundary community service centre; Chang Xiang Hui nursing home in Foshan (佛山市暢享薈養老院有限公司), a residential care home for the elderly participating in the Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong; Yuexiu Yueluju (廣州越秀悅麓居), a continuing care retirement community; and Yuexiu Haiyiyuan (廣州越秀海頤苑), a high-end urban elderly care complex. Students designed and prepared activities as well as interacted with older adults during the process, which was well-received. The tour provided students with invaluable exposure to diverse real-world eldercare practices, fostered their adaptability in professional settings, and deepened their understanding of cross-boundary eldercare policies and services. In addition to the service-related field trips, the tour included visits to several historical and cultural sites included in the One-Belt-One-Road initiative, enriching students' understanding of the region’s cultural heritage. The students had a fruitful tour, gaining both professional insights and cultural knowledge that will benefit their future development.

PolyU APSS’s Social Sciences Ranked No.68 in the World — Times Higher Education

The Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) is ranked 68th globally for Social Sciences in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject 2025.  Also, we are very pleased to note that PolyU’s Social Sciences ranks the first in Hong Kong in terms of its “Research Quality” which demonstrates colleagues’ commitment to pursuing excellence and promoting research for social responsibility, leadership and care.   Online coverage: HK01: https://www.hk01.com/article/1096553?utm_source=01appshare&utm_medium=referral THE: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/hong-kong-polytechnic-university PolyU: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/about-polyu/university-ranking/ Kin Liu - https://polyu.me/3E4H001 CCTV - https://polyu.me/4hjn7Rg Xinhua Net - https://polyu.me/4awP5qj People’s Daily - https://polyu.me/42sQyME Australian Chinese Daily - https://polyu.me/42kwM5Q The Chinese Press - https://polyu.me/3PO0gl5 Sina - https://polyu.me/4asDOY2 PolyU Pulse: https://polyu.hk/YZjnN  

Year-4 BA (Hons) in Social Work Students Share Insights on Learning and Collaboration

On 10 January 2025, the Excellent Teachers on Teaching Excellence (ETTE) Symposium, one of PolyU’s flagship teaching and learning events, captivated audiences with its theme: “Strategic Planning in Higher Education: Learning and Teaching Perspectives.”   Two student speakers were Miss Audrey Tsz Kiu AU and Miss Chinny Ching Yi SIN, both year-4 BA (Hons) in Social Work students from APSS. Audrey emphasised the importance of resilience and adaptability in learning, noting how applied learning and interdisciplinary collaborations can be used to enhance her ability to address community needs effectively.   Chinny shared how PolyU’s transdisciplinary education and practical opportunities, such as integrated projects and fieldwork placements, prepared her for real-world challenges. Reflecting on her placement experience, she shared how she worked with her service users to navigate complex and ill-defined personal and social problems by using knowledge and skills learnt in the classroom. Both students underscored the significance of hands-on opportunities and experiential learning at PolyU in fostering personal growth and professional competence.   APSS, as always, is proud of the student active participation and encourages students to keep reviewing, analysing and evaluating their personal and professional experience!

Shared Commitment to Children’s Rights and Protection Across the Globe

On 11 January 2025, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), in collaboration with the Department of Children and Youth (Thailand), the Department of Applied Social Sciences (APSS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), The Social Work Professions Council of Thailand, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), and the ASEAN Training Centre for Social Work and Social Welfare (ATCSW), hosted a seminar on migration, family strengthening and alternative care for children at the MSDHS headquarters in Thailand. This landmark event marked the first initiative following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between PolyU and The Social Work Professions Council of Thailand. The partnership aims to enhance the professional development of social workers and child protection practitioners in Thailand. Participants, who are policy-makers, senior social workers and child protection professionals, took part in the exchange of ideas and benefitted from insights shared by esteemed international experts. Prof. Antoinette LOMBARD, Professor of Social Work at the University of Pretoria and the President of IASSW, discussed the needs and challenges of refugees and their children in South Africa. Prof. Eric CHUI, Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology and Head of APSS, delivered a presentation on “Alternative Care for Children,” highlighting innovative approaches to child protection in the context of Hong Kong.  The conference concluded with remarks from Ms Apinya CHOMPHUMATH, Director General of the Department of Children and Youth, MSDHS, who expressed her gratitude to the participants for recognising the contribution of social workers in child protection.  This collaborative reflects the shared commitment between PolyU and global organisations to improve child protection systems and foster regional knowledge exchange.