PolyU collaborates with Aier Eye Hospital Group to nurture Hong Kong’s young optometrists by providing clinical training in mainland China and overseas cities

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined hands with Aier Eye Hospital Group (Aier) to provide six to eight weeks of clinical training in Aier’s eye hospitals and clinics in mainland China and overseas cities for a maximum of 30 selected students with outstanding academic performance from PolyU’s School of Optometry in five years. The two parties will also explore opportunities to conduct collaborative research on major eye health challenges.

The partnership brings together the complementary strengths of the School’s world-leading research capability (with its research impact ranking first in Asia according to Clinical and Experimental Optometry), and Aier’s vast network of over 900 hospitals and clinics in Asia, the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia, making it a leading global ophthalmology hospital group.

The signing ceremony was held today on PolyU’s campus. Witnessed by Prof. Kwok-yin WONG, Vice President (Education) of PolyU, Prof. David SHUM, Dean of Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of PolyU, and Ms Elaine ZHANG, Global Strategy and Business Development Director of Aier Eye Hospital Group signed the memorandum of understanding. Prof. Chea-su KEE, Professor and Interim Head of School of Optometry of PolyU and Ms Zhang also signed the agreement on the clinical placement arrangement.

Prof. Wong said, “Aier Eye Hospital Group is a well-established medical institution in terms of its massive teams of professional ophthalmologists and optometrists, as well as having over 900 well-equipped eye hospitals and clinics across Hong Kong, mainland China, the USA, Europe and Southeast Asia. PolyU is delighted to further strengthen its strategic collaboration with Aier in advancing the research and clinical talent development of optometry, particularly in terms of providing more comprehensive training for optometry students to accelerate the field’s development in the country and the world.”

Ms Zhang remarked, “With Aier’s global eye hospital and clinic network, we are gratified to provide PolyU students with clinical training, including diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. They will gain the opportunity to have first-hand experience of global eye care and medical development, which will help them build a macro and deep professional foundation for their future career.”

The School has been proactively collaborating with local ophthalmologists and counterparts around the world to provide students with hands-on experience, preparing them for their future careers in optometry. With the clinical training offered by Aier, the students will further benefit. Prof. Kee added, “The support from Aier will enhance the School’s optometric education and help take the local optometric profession to the next level.”

Clinical training cooperation between PolyU and Aier has been in place since 2017. Aier has also set up scholarships for optometry students from PolyU and offered them placement opportunities in its Hong Kong branches.

*****END*****