In the summer of 2021, PolyU launched the debut Junior Research Mentoring Programme (JRMP) – a three-month programme for secondary school students to get real experience in scientific research. More than 60 PolyU academics across different departments rendered their support to the JRMP by taking up the role of mentors, providing guidance and support for around 100 students from 36 secondary schools.

Participating students formed teams and worked closely with their mentors in designing, planning and executing their research topics, thereby equipping them with essential research techniques, as well as a critical mind that is capable of questioning and analysing.

We were glad to see that the JRMP students’ passion for research did not end there. A team of four students under the mentorship of Dr Arnold Wong, Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, submitted two research abstracts to the “Back and Neck Pain Forum 2021” – one of the most prestigious public health spinal research forums worldwide. The abstract titled “The prevalence of neck pain and headache and their associated factors in Chinese adolescents” was selected for poster presentation, while another one titled “Low back pain, its impact, and associated factors in Chinese adolescents” was accepted for oral presentation.

Representing Dr Wong’s team for the presentation, Nicole Chung, a secondary school student from the Diocesan Girls’ School, made an impressive presentation to the organiser. With great effort and dedication, Nicole won herself the newly created “Very Early Career Research Award”. Congratulations to Nicole and her team, and we hope they will keep the spark for research alive!