News

PolyU signs MoU with Society Work Department of CPC Jinan Municipal Committee and The Keswick Foundation to explore innovative comprehensive service model for new employment groups

The rapid growth of the platform economy has given rise to new employment groups comprising food delivery couriers, express couriers and ride-hailing drivers who rely on online platforms. In response to National policy requirements to strengthen services and management of new employment groups, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Society Work Department of the CPC Jinan Municipal Committee and The Keswick Foundation. This collaboration seeks to integrate government, professional and philanthropic resources to explore an innovative, comprehensive service model for new employment groups, promote the implementation of a “Social Work + Rehabilitation” interprofessional service model and establish a signature brand for charitable services. A signing ceremony was held on 27 May on the PolyU campus. Witnessed by Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU; Mr GAO Benwei, Deputy Director of the Society Work Department of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee; and Mrs Stacey HILDEBRANDT, Governor of The Keswick Foundation, the MoU was signed by Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences; Mr LIU Yiwu, Deputy Director of the Society Work Department of the CPC Jinan Municipal Committee; and Dr Max WONG, Executive Director of The Keswick Foundation. Dr Laura Lo noted, “This collaboration aligns closely with National policy directions and responds proactively to local governance and livelihood needs. It focuses on the core needs of the new employment groups, including occupational health, psychological support and social integration, demonstrating PolyU’s strong expertise in healthcare, rehabilitation and social sciences. Through this collaboration, we aim to establish a collaborative mechanism and an interprofessional, comprehensive service model that combines ‘Policy + Professional Expertise + Philanthropy’, contributing to the Nation’s grassroots governance innovation.” Mr Gao Benwei stated, “The new employment groups face many urgent needs that require more targeted services. We hope to seize this collaboration opportunity to establish a regular communication mechanism, leveraging the Jinan pilot to build and improve a high-standard professional service system, develop a structured workforce and meticulously implement service programmes. Shandong and Hong Kong will learn from and complement each other’s strengths to jointly advance professional cooperation in social work between the two regions.” Prof. Angelina YUEN-TSANG, Honorary Advisor and Governor of The Keswick Foundation, said, “This initiative embodies the advantages of interprofessional and interinstitutional collaboration, promoting government-philanthropy synergy. It combines government policy guidance, university quality assurance in professional supervision and performance evaluation, and the Foundation’s philanthropic resources, project experience and capacity-building support. Starting in Jinan, the project aims to establish a replicable service model within community and professional domains, thereby deepening collaboration between Shandong and Hong Kong.” This collaboration will launch its first pilot scheme in Jinan, with the Jinan Ai-Wu-Jiang Service Centre for the Disabled and the Jinan Ji-Ai Social Work Service Centre acting as the executing agencies. The China and Global Development Network (CGDN) of the PolyU Department of Applied Social Sciences will be a key partner, providing professional supervision and consultancy in social work, participating in service model design, talent cultivation and evaluation research, and offering academic leadership and professional support. This initiative will also leverage CGDN as a strategic platform to facilitate knowledge exchange and policy engagement, and to disseminate its impact at both National and international levels. At the same time, the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences will provide professional technical support in rehabilitation, including with regard to service design, remote guidance and professional training, creating complementary synergy with social work services. The three parties aim to explore the development of a tripartite care service system for new employment groups based on a “policy support + professional collaboration + social participation” framework, thereby establishing a replicable and scalable interprofessional comprehensive service model that will help improve the health and quality of life of new employment groups.

Dr Sherry She Recognised for Innovative AI Research in Personalised Dietary Intervention

Dr Sherry She Recognised for Innovative AI Research in Personalised Dietary Intervention   The Department is delighted to announce that Dr Sherry SHE, Research Assistant Professor, has received PolyU’s Young Innovative Researcher Award (YIRA) 2026. This prestigious university-level award recognises young faculty members who have demonstrated originality in their research, advanced technological development, and translated transformational innovation into solutions for global challenges.   In addition, Dr She has received the 2025 Outstanding Reviewer Award from the Journal of Sport and Health Science (JSHS) in recognition of her high-quality, thorough, and timely peer reviews, which have made a meaningful contribution to the journal’s academic standards.   Dr She’s award-winning project, “An Explainable, Theory and Culturally-Grounded Artificial Intelligence-based Chatbot for Personalized Dietary Behavior Intervention”, reflects the strong interdisciplinary impact of her research. It will develop and evaluate an explainable, theory- and culturally-grounded AI chatbot to deliver personalised dietary support for Hong Kong and broader Asian communities.   Integrating transparent reasoning, culturally calibrated image-based dietary assessment, and evidence-based behavior-change techniques with tailored personalisation rules, the chatbot will offer adaptive, on-demand coaching under clear clinical safeguards. Through a rigorous comparison with human health coaching, the study will assess both effectiveness and cost‑effectiveness, producing validated tools and implementation‑ready insights to broaden equitable access to dietary care and guide public‑health strategies for chronic disease prevention and management.   The Department warmly congratulates Dr She on these outstanding achievements and looks forward to her continued excellence in research, innovation, and academic service.

RS Student Athletes Excel at PolyU Sports Team Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony 2025/26

RS Student Athletes Excel at PolyU Sports Team Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony 2025/26   The PolyU Sports Team Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony 2025/26 was held on 26 April 2026 to recognise the remarkable achievements of PolyU student athletes! There were 31 students from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences among the honourees to receive recognitions for their excellence performance and contributions to sports.   These outstanding individuals received scholarships and prestigious awards, including titles such as Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Sports Scholarship, King's Flair Group Scholarship, New USFHK Record, USFHK Individual Champion, USFHK Most Valuable Player, PolyU Best Athlete of the Year and Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award etc.   Big congratulations to all the PolyU RS student athletes, and our department looks forward to more athletes achieving outstanding results in future competitions, continuing to bring glory to PolyU and Hong Kong.   Name Programme Sports Scholarship / Award Yip Tak Long BScPT Cross Country Action Panda Limited Outstanding Sports Performance Award The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Dr. Y.K. Ching Travelling Scholarship Chow Tsz Hei BScPT Swimming King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes Suen Yee Tung BScPT Volleyball King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes Lee Hoi Man Karen BScPT Table Tennis King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes PolyU Best Female Athlete of the Year Yau Sin Ting Nicole BScPT Athletics New USFHK Record in Women's 200M King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes Ngai Darren BScPT Basketball PolyU Most Valuable Player (Men's Basketball) Leung Ka Huen BScPT Squash PolyU Most Valuable Player (Women's Squash) Ng Cheuk Yan BScPT Swimming PolyU Most Valuable Player (Women's Swimming) Liu Yeu Yen Ians BScPT Water Polo Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Sports Scholarship Lam Pak Yu BScPT Water Polo Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Sports Scholarship The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Chan Adrian BScPT Fencing The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Tse Hong Wang BScPT Fencing The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Chan See Ching BScPT Table Tennis The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Tang Tsz Wing BScPT Taekwondo The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Choi Season BScPT Athletics The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award PolyU Most Valuable Player (Women's Athletics) Chui Sum Yee BScPT Table Tennis The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award PolyU Most Valuable Player (Women's Table Tennis) Ng Tsz Hin Jason BScPT Soccer The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Man Hiu Man BScPT Table Tennis The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Cheung Hiu Man BScPT Taekwondo The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Tang Tin Ching BScPT Volleyball The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Ng Ki Wing BScPT Volleyball The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award PolyU Most Valuable Player (Women's Volleyball) Yip King Wai BScPT Athletics USFHK Individual Champion (Men's Athletics) PolyU Most Valuable Player (Men's Athletics) Tang Wai Ho BScPT Taekwondo USFHK Most Valuable Player (Taekwondo) Alan Chung Outstanding Sports Performance Award The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Leung Gerald BScPT Volleyball Wong Hing Ching Outstanding Sports Performance Award PolyU Most Valuable Player (Men's Volleyball) Lau Wing Lam BScPT Volleyball Wong Hing Ching Outstanding Sports Performance Award The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Mak Tsz Hin BScOT Rugby The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Lee Wing Yin BScOT Rugby The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Lie Hiu Ching BScOT Athletics The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Cheng Ho Yin BScOT Dragon Boat The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Tam Hiu Ching BScOT Cross Country The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Wat Yu Kei BScOT Cross Country The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award  

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Western University (The University of Western Ontario)

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Western University (The University of Western Ontario), marking an important milestone in fostering international academic collaboration. The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation between the two institutions, with the aim of promoting academic exchange, research collaboration, and innovation in rehabilitation sciences. Through this partnership, both universities will explore opportunities for joint initiatives, knowledge sharing, and the development of educational and research activities that benefit faculty members and students alike. Both PolyU and Western University expressed a strong commitment to advancing rehabilitation sciences through global collaboration, leveraging complementary strengths and expertise. This partnership underscores a shared vision to enhance education, research excellence, and international engagement, while strengthening ties between the two institutions.

Call for Nominations: Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2026

[Call for Nominations] Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2026   We are excited to announce the nominations for the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2026 are now open!   This prestigious award not only celebrates the remarkable achievements of our graduates in their respective fields but also acknowledges their active support of our alma mater.   Nomination Deadline: by 30 April 2026 (Thursday) at 5:00 pm Nomination Form: download here   Please return the completed form with all required supplementary documents to rs.crm@polyu.edu.hk on or before the nomination deadline.   Award Categories The Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award (OPAA) is organised at three levels: Department level, Faculty/ School level and University level. The recipients of the Department Award will be nominated to the Faculty Award. All Faculty awardees will be considered for the University Award.   Selection Criteria The selection of the Award considers two major criteria:   (1) Support and Contributions to PolyU: This criterion considers nominee’s extent of support and contribution to PolyU. (2) Three Achievement Areas serve as a framework for assessing nominee’s achievements in:   •Professional Achievement This category recognises alumni who have attained distinguished achievements, demonstrated exemplary leadership, and made a strong impact on their profession/ industry/ society.   •Entrepreneurial Achievement This category recognises alumni who have demonstrated outstanding innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as founded or advanced business or technology ventures with impact.    •Scholarly Achievement This category recognises alumni scholars who have made notable scholarly or research contributions in their disciplines, with proven track record and excellent reputation in the field.   Alumni who are aged at/under 40 would be eligible for the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.   * Notes: The bestowal of the award shall subject to individual merits of the candidates.  No award shall be given out in a certain category if no suitable candidate is identified.   Eligibility The nominated candidate must be a graduate who has successfully completed full-time or part-time programme offered by PolyU (or its forerunners: Hong Kong Government Trade School, Hong Kong Technical College, and Hong Kong Polytechnic) which led to academic award accredited by the respective Institution.   The proposer can be PolyU graduate, Honorary Graduate, University Fellow, PolyU staff, PolyU Council and Court member and Advisory Committee member. There is no limit to the number of nominations to be submitted by each proposer. However, the proposer cannot be the candidate himself / herself.   Award Selection Committee The Award Selection Committee of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences will examine the nominations and assess candidates’ qualifications and performance for the awards   Confidentiality All information submitted on this nomination form will be kept strictly confidential and will only be used by the Award Selection Committee for the purpose of the selection process.    Enquiries Department of Rehabilitation Sciences The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Email rs.crm@polyu.edu.hk

RS Signs Research Agreement with Guangdong Pharmaceutical University and Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has signed a tripartite agreement with Guangdong Pharmaceutical University (GDPU) and the GDPU Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine to establish the Guangdong–Hong Kong Integrated Rehabilitation Research Centre. The collaboration aims to strengthen cross-border innovation and talent development in rehabilitation sciences, supporting the national strategies of the Greater Bay Area and Healthy China. The centre will integrate PolyU’s strengths in rehabilitation engineering, intelligent assistive technology, and digital rehabilitation with GDPU’s expertise in Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Key areas include neurological rehabilitation, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, ageing-related rehabilitation, and clinical translation of new technologies. The partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing high‑level rehabilitation research and strengthening healthcare collaboration between Hong Kong and Mainland institutions.

Prof. Shirley Ngai Receives The President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2025

Prof. Shirley Ngai Receives The President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2025   We are delighted to announce that Professor Shirley Ngai, Associate Head & Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, has been honoured with The President’s Awards for Outstanding Achievement 2025 of PolyU in recognition of her exceptional contributions to rehabilitation education.   Professor Ngai has demonstrated exemplary leadership through her innovative teaching practices, impactful seminars and conferences, and her strong commitment to student‑staff collaboration. Her efforts in initiatives such as the Development Programme for Advancing Clinical Education (the PACE Programme), international academic partnerships, and global education development have significantly advanced the department’s reputation locally and internationally.   This award celebrates not only Professor Ngai’s achievements but also the collaborative spirit and shared pursuit of excellence within our department. We extend our warmest congratulations to Professor Ngai and thank her for her dedication, passion, and lasting contributions to the profession.

Occupational Therapy in East Asia: Concepts, Principles and Practice

Occupational Therapy in East Asia: Concepts, Principles and Practice Edited by Hector Wing Hong Tsang, with Stella Wai Chee Cheng and David Wai Kwong Man     We are delighted to announce the release of the Department’s first textbook on occupational therapy (OT): Occupational Therapy in East Asia: Concepts, Principles and Practice. Being also the first OT textbook specific to the Asia Pacific region, it combines the strenuous efforts of the writing team over the past four years, comprising mainly RS OT professionals and a dozen experts in OT or rehabilitation from other parts of Asia.   Book Description This is the first major textbook on occupational therapy (OT) aimed at students and practitioners based in Asia. Written by a team of authors mainly based in Hong Kong, the book is divided into four sections. Section I presents the history of OT in the region as well as those key theories which underpin it. Section II introduces the essentials of OT practice. From assessment through to evaluation and intervention, these chapters cover five key therapeutic areas in which occupational therapists work: providing support for sensory and motor functions, providing support for cognitive and perceptual issues, providing support for psychosocial issues, providing support for returning to home and the community (including the use of assistive technology), and providing support for returning to the workplace. Section III then details a range of case studies to show occupational therapists in action, while Section IV looks at how the field is developing, including the increasing use of AI and other technologies. Throughout the book, cultural factors specific to the region are highlighted. An ideal resource for any student in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Singapore, or Taiwan, China, this outstanding text is also a key reference work for practitioners in the region.   Editors’ Information Hector Wing Hong Tsang, trained as an occupational therapist, amassed over ten years of clinical experience in psychiatric and geriatric rehabilitation before moving to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 1997. He was Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of the University from 2017 to January 2024 and is currently Chair Professor of Rehabilitation Sciences. He has focused on integrative medicine and psychiatric rehabilitation for people with severe mental illness for over 30 years.   Stella Wai Chee Cheng has been a Professor of Practice in Occupational Therapy at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University since 2018. She was the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association from 2018 to 2024 and has been the Hong Kong Delegate to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists since 2016.   David Wai Kwong Man currently serves as the Vice President (Academic) at Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, bringing over 40 years of experience in occupational therapy and rehabilitation sciences. He formerly worked at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His specialization lies in cognitive rehabilitation, and he conducts research in basic neurosciences related to prospective memory, including leading clinical trials for individuals with cognitive decline. An internationally recognized scholar, David has held various leadership roles and made significant contributions to curriculum development, thereby enhancing academia.   Critics' Reviews Authored by many of the world’s occupational therapy experts, the Occupational Therapy in East Asia textbook offers a comprehensive summary of foundational occupational therapy practice based on the latest empirical knowledge, combined with clear descriptions of state-of-the-art guidelines for how occupational therapy can be effectively provided in Asia. This is the ideal occupational therapy textbook. Mark P. Jensen, University of Washington, United States   Tsang, Cheng, and Man’s book, Occupational Therapy in East Asia: Concepts, Principles and Practice breaks new ground as a comprehensive go-to text for students studying occupational therapy. The topics and case studies are relevant, culturally grounded, and informed by cutting-edge East-meets-West scientific research. This text belongs on the shelf (or e-reader) of every student planning a career in occupational therapy, regardless of national origin. Renée R. Taylor, University of Illinois Chicago, United States   As the first occupational therapy textbook published in Hong Kong, the book’s East-meets-West cultural background and approach to rehabilitation make it highly recommended for use in occupational therapy education in Chinese Mainland. Lijuan Ao,Kunming Medical University, China   Occupational Therapy in East Asia is an essential resource for students, uniquely addressing the intersection of cultural nuances and clinical practice. Its insightful case studies and East-meets-West rehabilitation approaches make it an invaluable guide for aspiring rehabilitation professionals across Asia and beyond. Marco Pang, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China   Ordering Details Please visit Routledge website (www.routledge.com/9781032721200) to learn more about the book and place an order.      

PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences rolls out “Better Ageing in Community Campaign” with community groups, leveraging AI to assess fall risk in nearly 900 elderly in first phase

(24 January 2026) Falls are a serious issue among Hong Kong’s elderly. Approximately one in five community-dwelling elderly aged 65 or above has experienced a fall, placing a great strain on medical and healthcare systems. To proactively address health challenges brought by an ageing population, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has, since January last year, partnered with multiple community groups to launch the “Better Ageing in Community Campaign”, using the Department’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology to conduct fall risk screening for the elderly. During the first phase, nearly 900 elderly residents on Hong Kong Island were assessed, with 26% identified as high-risk individuals. To date, over 100 attendants have received 12-week fall prevention training from the University. The PolyU team plans to expand the project to Kowloon district and establish a large-scale elderly health database, benefitting more people with the aid of an enhanced AI model.   A sharing session was held today, attended by Mr Chris SUN, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; The Hon. Tommy CHEUNG, Executive Council Member; The Hon. SHIU Ka-fai, Legislative Council Member, from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China; Dr Roy CHUNG, Honorary Chairman of the PolyU Court; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation); Prof. Marco PANG, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; and Prof. Amy FU, Associate Head of the Department, from PolyU. The session also included various district officers, district councillors, partner organisation representatives, students and elderly participants, to review the first-phase achievements and look ahead to future developments.   Mr Chris Sun stated, “Daily outings are often a challenge for elderly persons whose physical functions are gradually declining. The ‘Better Ageing in Community Campaign’ demonstrates admirable thoughtfulness by addressing the issue of fall prevention among elderly persons, thereby reducing the risks they face in daily life. The Government also places great emphasis on making good use of gerontechnology to enhance the quality of life for elderly persons. It is planning to launch a pilot scheme to install smart detection devices in 300 high-risk caregiver households, enabling caregivers and/or care recipients to receive timely and appropriate assistance in case of home accidents through the use of technology.”   Prof. Christopher Chao remarked, “Artificial intelligence offers a crucial direction for global research development. PolyU is committed to applying AI technology in healthcare, rehabilitation therapy and primary healthcare in communities, while promoting interdisciplinary research and translating research outcomes into practical applications that benefit society. This project is not only a community healthcare initiative but also an exemplar of the University’s research outcomes being put into practice. In the future, PolyU will continue to strengthen its research in AI, big data and smart healthcare, working with all sectors of society to promote more innovative projects, enhance citizens’ quality of life and promote healthy ageing.”   Since January last year, the faculty of the PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has led physiotherapy and occupational therapy students to conduct fall risk screening for 891 eligible elderly residents on Hong Kong Island, including the “walking speed test” and the “sit-to-stand test”. The team successfully identified 235 elderly individuals with higher fall risk, representing approximately 26% of participants and arranged for them to attend 12-week fall prevention exercise training classes provided by the Department. The elderly participants responded enthusiastically, and generally agreed that appropriate exercise helps strengthen muscles and better enables them to cope with the demands of daily life.   The project team previously conducted telephone interviews with elderly participants of the fall risk screening and found that approximately 20% had fallen in the past year, with half of them requiring medical attention. Analysis also revealed that the “walking speed test” and the “sit-to-stand test” can effectively predict fall risk in elderly men, while fall risk in elderly women is not only related to the walking speed test results but also their weight-to-height ratio.   Prof. Marco Pang and Prof. Amy Fu, who led the project, stated that the research team plans to expand the project to Kowloon and establish a large-scale elderly health database, while further optimising AI model training and developing more personalised and effective fall prevention solutions. At the same time, the team will strengthen collaboration with community organisations, the social welfare sector and the healthcare sector to extend AI screening to more communities, with the aim of reducing pressure on the healthcare system in the long term and enhancing elderly health and support for community elderly care. The PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences leverages AI technology to conduct fall risk screening for the elderly. The elderly who have participated in the fall prevention training by PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences responded enthusiastically, and generally agreed that appropriate exercise helps strengthen muscles and better enables them to cope with the demands of daily life.  

Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Inaugurates MPT and MOT Programmes for Academic Year 2025/26

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrated the inauguration of the Master in Physiotherapy (MPT) and Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) programmes for the 2025/26 academic year on 8 January 2026. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of Mrs Winnie Kang, JP, Commissioner for Rehabilitation from the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, underscoring the significance of these programmes in shaping the future of rehabilitation services.   Prof. Marco Pang, Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation, and Head of PolyU RS, delivered an inspiring address. He highlighted the evolution of the master’s programmes and the growing recognition of physiotherapists and occupational therapists as first‑contact healthcare professionals.   A further highlight of the event was the sharing of success stories by Dr James Lee, an MOT graduate, and Mr Matthew Chan, an MPT graduate, who encouraged the new cohort of students to aspire to excellence. The ceremony also featured the presentation of the Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2025 to Prof. William Wu. Prof. Wu’s distinguished career and contributions to medical science make him an outstanding and deserving recipient of this accolade.   A key moment of the event was the Student Pledge Ceremony, led by Prof. Pang. New students took an oath pledging to uphold the core values and ethical standards of their professions. This symbolic moment marked the beginning of their journey into the impactful fields of physiotherapy and occupational therapy, reaffirming their commitment to serving the community with compassion and integrity.   Under the Social Welfare Department’s Training Sponsorship Scheme, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences has been offering the two‑year full‑time entry‑level MPT and MOT programmes in alternate years since 2012, and on an annual basis since 2021. Both programmes have played a crucial role in training future rehabilitation professionals, contributing significantly to alleviating manpower shortages in these essential healthcare sectors.