News

Dr Jack Zhang Receives NSFC Young Scientists Fund for Corticomotor Pathway Study

The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has awarded the Young Scientists Fund to support Dr Jack Zhang, Research Assistant Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU, on an innovative research project titled "Promoting Hand Functional Recovery After Stroke Through Rewiring of the Corticomotor Pathways Based on Associative Plasticity." This project aims to investigate the role of associative plasticity in hand functional recovery for stroke patients and to develop a novel neuromodulation therapy for post-stroke rehabilitation using corticocortical paired associative stimulation. Dr Zhang will utilize advanced neuroscience facilities, including concurrent TMS-EEG-fMRI, available in departmental laboratories and the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, in the current project. The NSFC Young Scientists Fund began accepting applications from Hong Kong researchers in 2022, aiming to support young scientists in conducting basic science research. The Department congratulates Dr Zhang on this achievement. 

Celebrating RS PhD Student's Young Investigator Award at PBM2024

Mr Tianxiang Fan, a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Amy Fu, has been honoured with the Young Investigator Basic Sciences Award at the PBM2024 conference, organised by the World Association for Photobiomodulation Therapy. Mr Fan's award-winning research focused on "The Optimal Wavelength and Energy Density of Light Emitting Diode (LED) Inflammation and Regeneration in Osteoarthritis-Associated Cells." This prestigious conference is a significant international event that brings together the global photobiomodulation community. The Department congratulates Mr Fan on this remarkable achievement.

Recent Achievement at i-CREATe 2024

A team of five Year 2 Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) students—Lau Shing Oh, Li Kin Ying, Wong Chung Yu Christopher, Tsui Wing Ki, and Un Ka Wai, supervised by Assistant Professor of Practice Ms Anita Ngan—has achieved remarkable success by winning the Silver Award at the Global Student Innovation Challenge during the 2024 International Convention on Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (i-CREATe 2024). Their innovative project, the "One-Hand-Clip," is an invention designed to empower individuals with unilateral upper limb impairment, such as those who have experienced a stroke or amputation, to independently clip their nails using only one hand. This low-cost, portable gadget showcases our students' ability to apply their classroom knowledge to create impactful real-life assistive solutions. Our RS OT students’ consistent success at i-CREATe underscores their creativity and dedication. Please join me in congratulating the students for their outstanding achievement.

PolyU collaborates with SF&OC to provide sports therapy and rehabilitation services to emerging athletes

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to leverage PolyU’s professional rehabilitation services and research excellence to support up-and-coming athletes from the four member associations of SF&OC: Handball Association of Hong Kong, China; The Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China; The Gymnastics Association of Hong Kong, China; and The Hong Kong, China Tennis Association. The collaboration aims to enhance athletes’ performance and reduce injury risks, helping them achieve better results in competitions. The signing was witnessed by Ms Candy NIP, Acting Commissioner for Sports of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau; Dr LAM Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; and Mr Timothy FOK, President of SF&OC. Prof. Jing-Guang TENG, President of PolyU and Mr Edgar YANG, Honorary Secretary General of SF&OC signed the MOU on behalf of both parties. The ceremony was also attended by PolyU’s Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Prof. David SHUM; Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), Prof. Marco PANG; Associate Head of RS, Prof. Amy FU; and SF&OC’s Honorary Deputy Secretary General, Mr WONG Po Kee; as well as representatives from the member associations and athletes. Dr Lam said that the Hong Kong, China delegation had made historic achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, winning two gold and two bronze medals and bringing honour to both Hong Kong and the Nation. He continued by noting that their success was not only due to the athtletes’ perseverance and hard work, but also to the dedicated efforts of their support team. He said, “PolyU has consistently supported the promotion and implementation of the Government’s five sports development policy objectives. We sincerely thank SF&OC for their work over the years, providing athletes with an excellent environment within which they can develop, finally achieving great success in their sporting careers. We look forward to collaborating with SF&OC, leveraging PolyU’s expertise and research achievements in the field of rehabilitation therapy to offer better training and support for the athletes, helping them shine in international competitions and bring glory to Hong Kong and the Nation.” Mr Fok noted that, “As a university focusing on science, engineering and technology, PolyU gives full play to its advantages in sports science and sports therapy to provide athletes with sports technology, injury prevention and rehabilitation support, and help athletes overcome injuries to regain or even improve on their pre-injury level of performance.” He was grateful for PolyU’s keen support to athletes and those collaborating to foster a favourable environment for athletes, adding that he was looking forward to closer cooperation with PolyU in the future. Through the collaboration, a team of staff and students, led by Prof. Fu, will provide pre-season assessments, training support, rehabilitation therapy and on-site support to up-and-coming athletes from four national sports associations. It is expected that around 100 students from PolyU’s Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and Master of Science in Sports Physiotherapy, and the School of Professional Education and Executive Development of PolyU’s Professional Certificate in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy will particpate in the first academic year. The team aims to use this collaborative model to conduct assessments to identify injury-prone areas, observe athletes’ training posture and analyse movements that may lead to injury, provide rehabilitation therapy for injured athletes and offer on-site support for competing athletes. This initiative is expected to enhance athletes’ performance and bring greater sporting glory to Hong Kong.

Prof. Marco Pang Appointed to the HKSAR Government's Primary Healthcare Committee

Prof. Marco Pang, Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences, Chair Professor of Neurorehabilitation, and Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, as well as Director of the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, has been appointed as a non-official committee member of the HKSAR Government’s Primary Healthcare Committee in July 2024. This appointment aims to support the newly established Primary Health Commission (PHC Commission) in planning primary healthcare services and allocating resources through strategic purchasing, with the goal of enhancing the overall primary healthcare service. The Department extends its sincere congratulations to Prof. Pang and fully supports his participation in assisting the PHC Commission to effectively carry out its functions and powers.

Congratulations to RS PhD Students on Winning the PolyU and FHSS 3MT Competitions 2024!

We are proud to share that Ms LAM Wing Tung Winnie, a dedicated PhD student under the guidance of Prof. Kenneth Fong, has triumphed in the prestigious PolyU 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition 2024. Not only did she secure the Champion title, but she also received the People's Choice award! The 3MT competition is a challenging platform that requires doctoral researchers to distill their extensive research into a compelling three-minute presentation, making their work accessible to a general audience. Winnie's outstanding presentation skills and her ability to clearly communicate her research made her stand out among the competitors, earning her this top honour at the university level. We would also like to commend Mr Douglas Affonso FORMOLO, supervised by Dr Sonata Yau, who, along with Winnie, was an awardee of the FHSS 3MT competition at the faculty level. Their impressive performances led to their nominations for the university-level competition, where Winnie achieved this remarkable victory. Join us in celebrating their fantastic achievement!

Announcing Outstanding Alumni Award of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Prof. Chetwyn Chan has been named the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award in Scholarly Achievement of PolyU Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2024. Prof. Chan's remarkable career and contributions to our field make him an exemplary figure deserving of this accolade. His tenure as the former Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences saw significant advancements in both the academic and research capabilities of our department. Currently, he serves as the Vice President (Research and Development) and endowed chair professorship at The Education University of Hong Kong, a testament to his exceptional achievements in research. One of Prof. Chan's most notable contributions is his unwavering commitment to nurturing and training the next generation of rehabilitation science researchers and professionals. His work has received widespread recognition and commendation from various local, national, and international bodies. Beyond academia, Prof. Chan has been a pivotal figure in professional and community service. His active participation in government committees and advisory bodies underscores his broad influence across sectors. Notably, as Chairperson of the Executive Committee of The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, his visionary leadership has been instrumental in driving the organisation's mission forward. Prof. Chan is also celebrated for pioneering the integration of academia with the community. His advocacy for the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) in clinical practice has become a strategic recommendation of the current Rehabilitation Programme Plan (RPP) of the Labour and Welfare Bureau, solidifying his legacy and influence. He also spearheads evidence-based and large-scale community screening of older people with cognitive decline in mainland China. In addition, we are pleased to share that Prof. Chan will be nominated to run for the Outstanding Alumni Award at the faculty level. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the assessment panel, comprised of both internal and external members, for their thorough deliberation and consideration. Please join us in congratulating Prof. Chan on this well-deserved honour.

RS Collaborates with NGOs to Promote Social Inclusion and Well-being of Older Adults, Children and Ethnic Minorities Through Table Tennis

RS Associate Professor and Past President of the Rotary Club of Tsim Sha Tsui, Dr Cynthia Lai, organised a community service project titled “Ping Pong without Boundaries” to promote social inclusion and well-being. This initiative offers free table tennis activities to older adults (service users of care and attention homes or day care centres), children with special needs, and ethnic minority groups from October 2023 to April 2024. The Rotary Club of Tsim Sha Tsui is the primary organizer of this community service project, with co-organizers including PolyU RS, Hong Kong Christian Service, Be The Change, and the Hong Kong, China Table Tennis Association. The Rotary Club of Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Christian Service hosted a closing ceremony for “Ping Pong without Boundaries” on 13 April 2024 at the Jockey Club Innovation Tower, PolyU, with support from the PolyU Research Centre for Assistive Technology, NGOs, and entrepreneurs. More than 230 attendees joined the closing ceremony. This community service project originated from a R&D project (Technology-enhanced Table Tennis Training Programme) between PolyU RS and Hong Kong Christian Service aimed at promoting the well-being of older adults with dementia and children with special educational needs. It was extended to community service through collaborations between the Rotary Club, PolyU, NGOs, and a large group of volunteers (e.g., table tennis coaches, occupational therapists, teachers, students, and businessmen). This platform exemplifies cross-disciplinary and cross-professional collaboration. As shared by FHSS Dean, Prof David Shum, in the welcome speech at the closing ceremony, “As we look towards the future, our commitment remains steadfast in collaborating with various community sectors. We will persist in our efforts to promote impactful cooperative projects that bring significant benefits to society.”

Dr Freddy Lam Appointed to the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee

Dr Freddy Lam, Assistant Professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, was appointed by the Hong Kong SAR government as a member of the Rehabilitation Advisory Committee (RAC) under the Labour and Welfare Bureau. The RAC was set up in 1977 as the principal advisory body of the Government on matters pertaining to the well-being of persons with disabilities as well as the development and implementation of rehabilitation policies and services. The RAC also assists the Government in promoting and monitoring the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Hong Kong. The Department sincerely congratulates Dr Lam and supports his involvement in improving rehabilitation services and policies in Hong Kong.

PolyU OT Students Lead the Way at the Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards 2024

We are thrilled to announce that our innovative service learning project, ActivePoly, has been selected as a finalist at the 12th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards 2024 in the category of Innovation of the Year - Community Social Engagement. Representing PolyU, a team of four dedicated final year occupational therapy students (Lee Yan Wing ,Sarah; Lee Oi Ling, Grace; Pau Yat Hei, Zita; Ng Shu Ting, Eisa) felt immense excitement and honour to be part of such a significant event. ActivePoly is a unique initiative designed to enhance the social engagement of the elderly. It revolves around a large, Monopoly-like board game that encourages participation across four key dimensions: social, physical, cognitive, and mental functions. The aim of the team was to create a fun and interactive environment that not only entertains but also promotes overall well-being among the elderly community. The project was a collaboration with the Hong Kong Housing Society under the subject RS4280 and was supervised by Ms Stella Cheng, Professor of Practice of RS. It was a privilege for the team to represent PolyU OT and participate in the event before graduation. We sincerely hope that more impactful programmes will be developed to support the vitality and health of our ageing population through primary prevention for the public.