News

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.

Mr Lin Tianze Awarded Hong Kong PhD Fellowship

We are proud to announce that Mr Lin Tianze (Tim), a research assistant within the team of Dr Georg Kranz, Assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS), has been honoured with the highly competitive Hong Kong PhD Fellowship for the academic year 2024/25. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) is renowned for its aim to recruit outstanding scholars from around the globe to undertake PhD studies in Hong Kong, providing a platform where academic excellence meets unparalleled research opportunities. Out of many hopefuls, only 350 PhD Fellowships have been awarded for the 2024/25 academic year, marking Mr Lin's achievement as particularly notable. In his two years under Dr Kranz's mentorship, Tim has been an integral part of groundbreaking projects aimed at advancing non-invasive brain stimulation treatments for mental health disorders. His contributions have not only furthered the progress of the Department's research but have also earned him co-authorship in leading international publications such as Lancet Psychiatry and Brain Stimulation. With this fellowship, Tim is set to deepen his exploration into the innovative use of concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and MRI scanning. The outcomes of his research may facilitate hypothesis formation for future clinical studies of TMS, especially concerning the treatment of depression, thereby potentially benefiting countless patients worldwide. RS eagerly anticipates the contributions Tim’s work will make to the field of mental health treatment and rehabilitation sciences. Please join us in congratulating Mr Lin Tianze on this exceptional achievement.

RS Student Athletes Excels at PolyU Sports Team Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony

The PolyU Sports Team Annual Prize Presentation Ceremony 2024, held on 17 April, was a resounding success. Among the distinguished prize recipients were 49 outstanding students from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. These talented individuals were honoured with scholarships and awards that included prestigious titles such as PolyU Best Athletes of the Year, PolyU Most Valuable Player, Distinguished Athletes Scholarship, Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen, The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, and The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award. Congratulations to all the student athletes for their remarkable achievements! Name Sports Programme Scholarship / Award Hong Dylan Carswell Athletics (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Hong Kiu Athletics (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Tsz Chun Athletics (M) Master in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player Yau Marc Athletics (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lie Hiu Ching Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Ng Hoi Ki Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Yeung Tik Sum Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Yu Hiu Ying Athletics (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lau Fong Ying Athletics/Basketball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen; PolyU Most Valuable Player; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Yip Tak Long Athletics/Cross Country (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; PolyU Most Valuable Player Law Hoi Lam Badminton (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Ngai Darren Basketball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes Choy Yuen Yat Cross Country (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Chan Wai Yan Alison Cross Country (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lai Wing Tung Cross Country (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tam Hiu Ching Cross Country (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Chan Adrian Fencing (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Choi Shun Hei Fencing (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Chung Wan Yin Fencing (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Kwan Yee Man Fencing (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Lai Hiu Tung Fencing (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Wai Shan Handball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Lee Wing Yin Rugby (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award Leung Hei Long Soccer (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Chan Yee Hing Soccer (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Chan Yin Ban Swimming (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Sam Yat Kan Swimming (M) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Wong Tsz Ho Swimming (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Chow Tsz Hei Swimming (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Hui Ka Ling Swimming (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Lui Ho Yee Chloe Swimming (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Tam Hoi Lam Swimming (W) Master in Physiotherapy PolyU Best Athletes of the Year & Soo Chew Bong Sports Scholarship; The Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tang Wai Ho Taekwondo (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Yau Man To Christopher Taekwondo (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Ismail Amina Taekwondo (W) BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Ko Victoria Man Ching Taekwondo (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tang Tsz Wing Taekwondo (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tham Jun Yan Trevor Tennis (M) Master in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Leung Gerald Volleyball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Tang Bo Yeung Volleyball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player; The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Ng Ki Wing Volleyball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Suen Yee Tung Volleyball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Wong Wing Suet Volleyball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; King's Flair Group Scholarship for Outstanding PolyU Student Athletes Kwok Ho Long Woodball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy PolyU Most Valuable Player; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Wong Hoi Chun Woodball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Yu Cheuk Him Curtis Woodball (M) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen Liu Hau Yan Woodball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy The Most Outstanding Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Athletes Scholarship Mak Pui Yu Cherry Woodball (W) BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy Distinguished Athletes Scholarship; Hall Residence Scholarship for Outstanding Sportsmen

Neuroscience Research by Dr Bolton Chau and Dr Jing Jun Wong Awarded Prestigious RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship

In an exciting development for the field of neuroscience and decision-making research, Dr Bolton Chau (Associate Professor) and Dr Jing-Jun Wong (Postdoctoral Fellow) of Department of Rehabilitation Sciences have been selected to receive the distinguished Research Grants Council (RGC) Postdoctoral Fellowship. The RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship has been awarded to support Dr Wong to work with Dr Chau on an innovative research project titled "Exploring a grid-like code for representing decisions in the prefrontal cortex". This project aims to tackle one of the most intriguing questions in neuroscience today: how does the brain integrate qualitatively different attributes to make decisions? The team's research will utilise cutting-edge brain imaging techniques to uncover the processes occurring in the prefrontal cortex, a critical area of the brain involved in decision-making and cognitive control. With the support of the RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship, Dr Wong and Dr Chau are set to make significant advancements in our understanding of the neuroscience of decision-making. This prestigious award not only recognises their dedication and pioneering work but also underscores the importance of their research in shedding light on the complexities of the human mind. RS congratulates Dr Wong and Dr Chau on receiving this award and eagerly anticipates the outcomes of this exciting project, confident in the knowledge that their findings will contribute significantly to the broader field of neuroscience and beyond.

RS Student Receives the “For Our Future Scholarship”

RS is delighted to share that Mr Kelvin Hui Tsz Kwai, a Year 3 BSc (Hons) student in Physiotherapy, has been awarded the 'For Our Future Scholarship' for the year 2023/24 by The Greater Bay Area Homeland Youth Community Foundation. Kelvin will receive a scholarship of HK$50,000 and an exchange opportunity to the Greater Bay Area with a focus on innovation and technology, culture and art, economy, and people's livelihood within the GBA. RS congratulates Kelvin on receiving this award.

RS Student Athlete Receives Major Recognitions from USFHK and PolyU

We are delighted to share that Miss TAM Hoi Lam Karen, a Year 2 student in our Master of Physiotherapy program, has been named Hall of Fame, Sportswoman of the Year, and Individual Champion in 2023-24 by the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong, China (USFHK). She was also honoured as PolyU's Best Athlete of the Year. Karen is an award-winning swimmer, holding Hong Kong's record and securing medals in the Asian Games while proudly representing Hong Kong. Join us in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Karen for these well-deserved recognitions.  

Introducing "Occupational Therapy: A Life Restorer"

To commemorate its 45th anniversary, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University proudly presents "Occupational Therapy - A Life Restorer." This special book weaves together 20 clinical cases and expert perspectives to offer a profound insight into the world of occupational therapy. Through this collection, the department not only educates readers on the nuances of the profession but also conveys a heartfelt message of care to the public.

Prof. Marco Pang Appointed as Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences

The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (RS) proudly announces the distinguished appointment of Prof. Marco Pang as the Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences under PolyU’s Endowed Professorship Scheme. This prestigious title is bestowed to honour Prof. Pang for his remarkable academic and research contributions in stroke rehabilitation and neuroscience. Prof. Marco Pang has an illustrious career, currently serving as the Head of RS and the Director of the University Research Facility in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience (UBSN) at PolyU. A prominent alumnus of the University of Alberta, Canada, he has become a beacon in the field of rehabilitation, earning international acclaim including being ranked amongst the world's top 1% most-cited scientists in his field, according to a study by a group of scholars in Stanford University. In 2023, Prof. Pang was recognised with the prestigious World Physiotherapy International Service Award for Research, becoming the first physiotherapist from Hong Kong to be honoured with this accolade. As an esteemed figure in both local and global physiotherapy circles, Prof. Pang has been invited to deliver over 150 lectures and workshops globally and held significant positions, including President of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association and Executive Board Member of World Physiotherapy. He is currently as the elected Chair of the World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific (AWP) Region. This appointment, sponsored by the Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund (SHECF), reflects the Fund's unwavering commitment to education, medical services, and scientific research, which has led to over HK$1.7 billion in donations to uplift various sectors of society. SHECF continues to support the community by funding educational and research excellence through endowments and chair professorships. Upon accepting the appointment, Prof. Pang remarked, "I am deeply honoured by the Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund appointment, I aim to create a new chapter for rehabilitation sciences in Hong Kong, the Mainland and around the world, fostering academic and research advancements, for the betterment of mankind." RS extends our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Marco Pang on this significant milestone and looks forward to the inspiring work he will lead as the Shun Hing Education and Charity Fund Professor in Rehabilitation Sciences. His rich experience and visionary leadership are poised to drive forward the boundaries of research and education, greatly impacting the field of rehabilitation and beyond.

RS Student Honoured with Outstanding Student Award and Presidential Student Leadership Awards

RS is delighted to share the wonderful news that Miss Kwok-Chi Wong (Marsh), a Year 4 BSc (Hon) student in Physiotherapy, has been honoured with three prestigious awards of PolyU - the Outstanding Student Award of Department, Presidential Student Leadership Award of Faculty, and Presidential Student Leadership Award of Department. Marsh has consistently showcased her academic prowess and dedication in serving and leading within our community. Through her pivotal roles as a coordinator at the iCare Physiotherapy Pain Centre and as a leader within PolyU's STAR Programme, she has embodied the true spirit of leadership and service. The Outstanding Student Award Scheme, administered by PolyU, annually recognises students who demonstrate exceptional performance both academically and in non-academic pursuits. Likewise, the Presidential Student Leadership Awards are presented to student leaders who exhibit and deploy exemplary leadership qualities and abilities, contributing significantly to society and the global community. Please join us in extending our congratulations to Marsh on receiving these awards. We are excited to see where her skills and passion for leadership will take her in the future and look forward to her continued success.

Dr Mei-zhen Huang Recognised as Elite Reviewer for 2023

Dr Mei-zhen Huang, Assistant Professor of RS, has been awarded the Elite Reviewer status by the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a leading journal in rehabilitation. This award has placed her in the distinguished top 4% of 810 reviewers for her exceptional contributions in 2023. Her skillful critical analysis and dedication to enhancing clinical practices and scientific discussions have set her apart, earning her this notable recognition among her peers. With her keen focus on improving physical function for individuals with neurological conditions through innovative research, Dr Huang has played a pivotal role in the development of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques for stroke and Parkinson's Disease patients. Furthermore, she brings her comprehensive clinical research experience in addressing motor impairments and mobility challenges into rehabilitation sciences and practice. This honour not only highlights Dr Huang’s commitment to advancing rehabilitation sciences worldwide but also her role in fostering scholarly excellence. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr Huang on receiving this award.