Educators from PolyU have received the prestigious 2025 University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award, which honours outstanding teaching, leadership, and scholarly contributions by academics at UGC-funded universities. The Award includes three categories: General Faculty Members, Early Careers Faculty Members, and Collaborative Teams. This year, PolyU academics won both individual award categories, underscoring the University’s exceptional achievements in education.

The two distinguished awardees are Professor Shirley Ngai, Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, who received the award in the General Faculty Members category; and Professor Jeffrey Leung, Assistant Professor of the School of Optometry, who was honoured in the Early Career Faculty Members category. It is noteworthy that Professor Ngai has also previously received the UGC Teaching Award in the Early Career Faculty Members category in 2016, making her the first individual to receive this prestigious award twice.

Professor Cao Jiannong, PolyU Vice President (Education), congratulated the award-winning scholars, stating, “PolyU is dedicated to excellence in education and research, fostering teaching innovation to enhance learning quality. Professor Ngai and Professor Leung have introduced pioneering methods and novel technologies, significantly contributing to training the next generation of allied healthcare professionals. Their innovation, passion, and dedication will inspire the PolyU community to continue excelling in education.”

Visionary leadership in Physiotherapy education

Professor Ngai has transformed physiotherapy education in Hong Kong through visionary leadership and student-centred teaching. She introduced medical simulation and innovative tools like mobile apps and virtual reality, benefiting over 3,800 learners globally. Professor Ngai also developed Blended Clinical Education, redefining clinical training standards. Committed to continuous innovation, she aims to inspire educators worldwide and advance rehabilitation education.

She stated, “My teaching philosophy is shaped by exceeding boundaries and innovating to improve student outcomes. Noticing student stress during clinical placements, I reformed the curriculum to hone essential skills. This Award encourages me to continue championing novel solutions and contributing to the academic community.”

Advancing interdisciplinary collaboration and curriculum transformation with AI

Since joining the School of Optometry in 2020, Professor Leung has focused on cultivating creative, compassionate, and adaptable professionals ready for evolving healthcare demands. He uses experiential learning and real-world projects to foster critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration, improving paediatric eye care for children with special needs. He also developed an AI-assisted clinical skills assessment system for personalised, objective feedback and personalised guidance, advancing diagnostic training in optometry education.

Professor Leung remarked, “We must care for the individuals we serve, not just eyes. My teaching encourages students to shift from ‘seeing an eye’ to ‘seeing a person’; create novel solutions, and collaborate across professions to build interdisciplinary skills. This award motivates me to further advance my teaching vision.”

Prof. Cao (1st from right) and Prof. Ben Young, Vice President (Student and Global Affairs) (1st from left), congratulate Prof. Ngai (2nd from left) and Prof. Leung (2nd from right) on winning the awards at the 2025 UGC Teaching Award Presentation Ceremony.