16 PolyU School of Nursing Scholars Named among the World’s Top 2% Scientists

PolyU Nursing is proud to announce that 16 of its scholars have been named in the World’s Top 2% Scientists list for 2026 by Stanford University. This remarkable recognition reflects their dedication to research excellence and their significant contributions to nursing and healthcare research. Congratulations to the following distinguished scholars: Prof. Janelle YORKE, Head and Chair Professor Prof. Angela LEUNG, Associate Head (Research) & Professor Prof. Justina LIU, Associate Head (Education) & Professor Prof. Jed MONTAYRE, Associate Head (Strategy) & Associate Professor Prof. Harry QIN, Professor Prof. Jacqueline SIN, Professor Prof. Jerry YEUNG, Professor Prof. Joyce CHUNG, Associate Professor Prof. Eva HO, Associate Professor Prof. Grace HO, Associate Professor Prof. Vivian NGAI, Associate Professor Prof. Arkers WONG, Associate Professor Prof. Teris CHEUNG, Assistant Professor Prof. Frances WONG, Adjunct Professor Prof. E. Angela CHAN, Adjunct Professor Prof. Claudia LAI, Honorary Professor

School of Nursing and CCAF Co-host Symposium to Advance Care and Ageing in Place for Older Adults

Population ageing, escalating health and social care needs and demands for residential homes are driving society to explore solutions that support healthy ageing and ageing in place. The School of Nursing (SN) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) partnered with the Community CareAge Foundation (CCAF) Limited to co-organise a symposium themed ‘Reflecting on Elderly Care in an Ageing Society: Collaborative Models for Ageing in Place’ to offer a platform for idea and strategy exchange among health and social care professionals, academics, and personnel from community organisations.   Held on 16 September at the PolyU Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, this symposium experienced a remarkably strong turnout, with registration reaching full capacity (214 persons).  Guests of Honour, Dr Chan Wah-fat, Specialist in Psychiatry, Chairman, Board of Directors, Community CareAge Foundation (CCAF) Limited; and Prof. Janelle Yorke, Angel S.P. Chan Lau Professor in Health and Longevity, Chair Professor of Nursing, Head, SN, PolyU; Hong Kong SAR, Global STEM Professor; officiated the symposium by delivering welcoming remarks.  Dr Chan expressed his delight at co-organising the symposium, highlighting its role as a valuable platform for advancing dialogue on health and community care for older adults. ‘The event offers an important opportunity for the CCAF and PolyU to showcase our collaborative achievements and community engagement, enabling participants to gain a deeper understanding of us,’ said Dr Chan.  Prof. Yorke emphasised the importance of Health-Social-University-Community partnership in mitigating the impact of population ageing. ‘Universities are playing a vital role in providing academic research findings, digital innovations, evidence-based training, and interprofessional case management to support healthy ageing and ageing in place, ’said Prof. Yorke.  Keynote sessions highlighted the essential roles of each sector in multidisciplinary collaborations for enhancing health and quality of life of older adults. Prof. David Shum, Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, Chair Professor of Neuropsychology, Dean, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, PolyU, spoke on the topic ‘The Application of Technology to Improve Cognition in Older Individuals’. Prof. Angela Leung, Associate Head (Research) & Professor, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services, PolyU, shared the experience in implementing the WHO ICOPE model through joint efforts between health and social care professionals in community care. Prof. Elsie Yan, Professor, Department of Applied Social Sciences, PolyU, spoke about Safeguard Community Dwelling Older Adults against Abuse and Neglect. Dr Ching Hok-ying, Specialist in Ophthalmology, spoke about medical-social collaboration using the Eye Hub project as an illustrative example.  Prof. Justina Liu, Associate Head (Education) and Prof. Patrick Kor, Associate Professor from SN, and Mr Ho Chun-kit, Charles, Chief Officer (Policy Research and Advocacy),  Social Development, The Hong Kong Council of Social Service, led a plenary discussion focused on the topic “Challenges and Innovations in Social Eldercare: Cross-Sector Collaboration and Sustainable Development”.  The afternoon session focused on three themes. Dr So Kar-kui, Specialist in Geriatric Medicine, together with speakers from the CCAF, SN, and the Department of Applied Social Sciences, PolyU, as well as the non-governmental organisations, spoke about Community Specialist Nursing Services, Cross-generational Co-creation of Healthy Ageing Communities, and Community Participation in Health Development, featuring presentations of exemplary projects. 

PolyU Nursing Ranks 14th Globally in ShanghaiRanking's GRAS 2026

PolyU Nursing has achieved its highest-ever position in the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), ranking 14th globally in 2026.   This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, students, alumni, professional partners and colleagues in advancing excellence in nursing education, research, innovation and person-centred care.   We remain committed to making a meaningful impact on health and wellbeing in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, across the region and beyond.

PolyU develops Hong Kong’s first screening tool to detect social frailty in seniors

Loneliness and social isolation are widely recognised as harmful to elders’ health, yet frontline care workers have long lacked a simple, objective way to identify those most at risk. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) have developed a set of community-based, preventive approaches to addressing social frailty among seniors, including a new screening tool and nature-based interventions in care facilities. This work responds directly to the Government’s policy shift from treatment towards prevention and community-based care. Social frailty refers to a state of vulnerability arising from a lack of social support, resources, connectedness and the fulfilment of basic needs. It is linked to poorer health and may increase the risk of physical frailty. Until now, the absence of standardised terminology and objective measurement tools has made these subjective experiences difficult to consistently assess. To close this gap, the team led by Prof. Jed MONTAYRE, Associate Head (Strategy) and Associate Professor of the School of Nursing, developed the Social Frailty 10-Item screening tool (SF-10). Brief in design for busy clinical settings, it helps enable frontline workers to identify at-risk older adults early and direct them to appropriate help. Supported by the General Research Fund of the Research Grants Council, the study was published in Contemporary Nurse, and social workers in non-governmental organisations and community clinics have already adopted the tool. Prof. Montayre said, “Recognising social frailty as a risk factor opens up a more holistic understanding of ageing. It positions social well-being on par with physical health, acknowledging that the two are inextricably linked and that addressing social risks can profoundly improve overall health outcomes.” In developing SF-10, the team used a co-design approach to make it both rigorous and non-stigmatising, conducting two rounds of workshops with 40 diverse stakeholders, including older adults, family caregivers, social workers, occupational therapists, nurses and doctors. 234 community-dwelling seniors were evaluated with the resulting tool, which demonstrated promising reliability and validity, with further validation currently under way. SF-10 assesses five domains: general resources, social participation, social connections, interpersonal relationships and self-management. Each is rated on a five-point scale, with higher scores signalling greater risk. The results guide practical next steps: low scores for general resources can trigger referral to financial or healthcare support, while low social participation scores can point individuals towards community programmes or social prescribing  — a holistic approach promoted by the World Health Organisation of referring people to non-medical community activities to improve their well-being. “SF-10 serves as a practical instrument for longitudinal care tracking in fast-paced environments like primary care, community services and home-based care, providing a solid foundation for social prescribing,” said Prof. Montayre. “By administering periodic screening, care networks can track how an individual’s social risk profile changes over time. We hope it will eventually become a standardised assessment across Hong Kong.” In related work that reinforces the importance of social connectedness, Prof. Montayre’s team also conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of nature-based interventions for reducing agitation in older people with dementia in care settings. Drawing on global evidence from both direct nature experiences, such as garden visits, and indirect exposures, such as circadian lighting, natural sounds or scents, it identifies physical settings and social interaction as the two critical drivers of clinical effectiveness. The relevant work is published in Healthcare.    Indoor interventions proved more effective than outdoor ones, while interventions involving social interaction outperformed those without. Notably, unregulated outdoor stimulation sometimes had negative effects, demonstrating that environmental designs must keep residents of care facilities engaged but not overwhelmed. “Non-pharmacological measures such as nature-based interventions can enhance social well-being and help prevent social frailty, particularly among those experiencing cognitive decline,” Prof. Montayre noted. “Having the space to socialise through such programmes significantly enhances social connectedness among older adults.” The findings offer practical solutions for high-density cities like Hong Kong, laying the groundwork for future dementia-friendly design guidelines. Because individuals with dementia respond differently depending on their tolerance for stimulation, Prof. Montayre stressed that environmental support must be tailored to the person. The research team is continuing to expand validation of SF-10 and to work with community partners to translate these findings into routine practice, contributing to a more preventive, sustainable and person-oriented model of care for Hong Kong’s ageing population.

PolyU develops Hong Kong’s first AI agent and risk prediction model for precision diabetes management, with patient recruitment in New Territories West starting in early July

A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has successfully developed Hong Kong’s first “AI Agent for Precision Diabetes Management – PIPE-AI” (AI Agent), designed specifically for Asian populations, together with a related disease risk prediction model. Leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and large-scale local electronic health data, the system can more accurately predict the risk of deterioration of complications such as chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years, enabling healthcare professionals and patients to intervene early and improve disease management. The research findings have been published in the leading international journal npj Digital Medicine. To promote the technology’s wider application in the community, the PolyU research team has partnered with the Department of Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare of the Hospital Authority’s New Territories West Cluster, as well as the Yuen Long District Health Centre, to recruit patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in New Territories West from early July to participate in a clinical study of the AI Agent system. Participants will experience personalised risk assessment and health management recommendations firsthand. The study is funded by the Health and Medical Research Fund. Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common and serious complications of type 2 diabetes. As its early symptoms are often not obvious, it is commonly referred to as a “silent killer”. Without early detection and treatment, the condition may progress to uraemia, requiring long-term dialysis or even kidney transplantation. According to local data, the prevalence of diabetes among people aged 65 to 84 is as high as 19%. Diabetes and its complications not only affect patients’ quality of life but also place a heavy burden on families and the public healthcare system. At present, many chronic kidney disease risk prediction models have been developed primarily based on Western population data and may not be fully applicable to Asian populations. A multidisciplinary team led by Prof. YANG Lin, Professor of the School of Nursing at PolyU, used 17 years of electronic health records from the Hospital Authority Data Collaboration Laboratory, covering more than 560,000 diabetes patients, to develop an AI prediction model that is more suitable for Asian populations and which achieves an accuracy rate of 87.1%. The model can analyse patients’ health data and estimate their future risk of developing diabetic complications such as kidney disease, helping healthcare professionals make earlier clinical judgements and arrange follow-up care. In addition to the risk prediction model, the research team has also developed an AI Agent as a “clinical interface” to address the challenge of translating data into concrete action. Focusing on diabetes and complication management, the AI Agent can convert complex medical information into language that is easier for patients to understand, helping them better grasp their health conditions while improving communication between patients and healthcare professionals. The system can be applied in four major scenarios: supporting family medicine and primary healthcare in preliminary screening and risk stratification; assisting specialist outpatient clinics in making more precise referrals for high-risk or complex cases; supporting district health centres in providing 24-hour health consultation services; and helping patients manage their own health, including through diet control, exercise, timely medication adherence and recording of health indicators. To ensure the safety of the system in clinical use, the research team has incorporated a nurse oversight mechanism. When the AI detects abnormal risk levels or important health alerts, the system will automatically notify a registered nurse for further review and follow-up, thereby enhancing the reliability and safety of the system’s application. Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, Chair Professor of Neuropsychology at PolyU, said, “Diabetes management is not only about treating a single disease, but is also closely related to the long-term allocation of healthcare resources and public health strategy. By translating advanced AI technology into a tool for clinical application, the PolyU research team has extended risk prediction capabilities, which were previously largely confined to hospitals, to primary healthcare and community services. This will help allocate healthcare resources more precisely and drive a shift in the healthcare model from ‘passive treatment’ to ‘proactive prevention’, which in the long run is expected to alleviate the healthcare burden posed by chronic diseases in Hong Kong.” Prof. Yang Lin said, “The patient recruitment programme in New Territories West, launched in early July, marks an important step in bringing smart healthcare into the community in a tangible way. Looking ahead, the team will further integrate imaging and wearable device data to enhance predictive accuracy and will promote the integration of the model into electronic health record systems and district health centre platforms. The initiative will also be expanded to cover other related chronic disease areas, such as the cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, so that more members of the public can benefit.”

Over 400 PolyU students and staff participate in Service-Learning programme in Wenshan, Yunnan; Largest-ever initiative in Chinese Mainland, spanning diverse projects from six faculties and schools

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has long embraced holistic education as a critical part of its undergraduate curriculum. In particular, Service-Learning enables students to apply their university-learned knowledge and skills to support communities in need, with the aim of nurturing socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective. Supported by the People’s Government of Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and local charitable organisations, this year PolyU operated its largest-ever Service-Learning programme in Wenshan from May to July. More than 400 students and staff members took part in nine projects, benefiting over 4,000 local residents and helping to inject lasting vitality into the local community. PolyU established a Service-Learning base in Yunnan in the 2023/24 academic year and since then has expanded its local partnership network to align service content more closely with community needs while creating real-world settings for students’ learning. The University has also signed cooperation agreements with the Communist Youth League Committee of Wenshan Prefecture and the People’s Government of Malipo County to establish a long-term collaborative mechanism between the University and local communities. This summer, six PolyU faculties and schools launched nine Service-Learning projects in Wenshan, Yunnan. In a project developed by the Department of Computing, students created an artificial intelligence digital human platform for elderly residents in a nursing home to recreate their memories and life experiences, preserving precious stories through technology. Another project, led by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, saw students utilise smart tools to help villagers develop digital cultural tourism innovation solutions such as multimedia guide information, transforming cultural resources into development momentum. Meanwhile, the School of Fashion and Textiles launched a project in which students collaborated with embroidery artists to integrate traditional Zhuang Embroidery techniques into vibrant, contemporary fashion design, promoting the innovative inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. In a project launched by the Department of Computing, students created an artificial intelligence digital human platform for elderly residents in a nursing home to recreate their memories and life experiences, preserving precious stories through technology. The School of Fashion and Textiles launched a project in which students collaborated with embroidery artists to integrate traditional Zhuang Embroidery techniques into vibrant, contemporary fashion design, promoting the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. The Wenshan Service-Learning programme collaborated with 12 local service organisations, including vocational schools, homes for the elderly, primary and secondary schools, and village committees, delivering tangible benefits to grassroots communities. With support from the Ministry of Education’s “Ten Thousand People’s Scheme,” an exchange programme for students and faculty of Hong Kong and Macao universities with Chinese Mainland institutions, this year PolyU also engaged around 100 students and staff from Yunnan University, Yunnan Minzu University and Shenzhen University in the service projects. This synergy further promoted PolyU’s Service-Learning pedagogy, deepened youth exchanges between the Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland, and built a new collaborative model for talent cultivation. PolyU students participating on the Service-Learning programme described the experience as highly rewarding, strengthening their enthusiasm for serving society and the country. LI Kwan-to, a Year 4 student from the Department of Computing, shared his view that the programme had bridged the gap between the classroom and the real world, and had allowed his innovations to be translated into tangible support for the elderly, making the learning experience both vivid and meaningful. FAN Yanjun, a Year 2 student from the School of Accounting and Finance, said that Service-Learning was a journey of heart-to-heart exchange, and hoped this sincerity could be passed on from one generation to the next, fostering better people-to-people connection. Prof. Grace NGAI, Head of the Service-Learning and Leadership Office of PolyU, stated, “Over the past decade, PolyU has accumulated extensive Service-Learning experience in Chinese Mainland, leaving our footprints throughout the country. We have taken our students to different Mainland cities, and even remote villages and ethnic minority communities, to serve vulnerable groups such as the elderly and left-behind children. This experience not only enriches our students’ learning and hones their skills and knowledge, but also enables them to gain a deeper understanding of the Nation, and to develop global citizenship and a strong sense of social responsibility. With these qualities, they can proactively contribute their strengths to meet the development needs of the Nation and beyond.” As the first Hong Kong university to incorporate Service-Learning as a core element of the undergraduate curriculum, PolyU has long encouraged students to care about society, apply what they have learnt and respond to social needs proactively. The University is committed to promoting high-quality Service-Learning projects, and currently runs multiple service-learning bases in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Southeast Asia and Africa. More than 50,000 PolyU students have enrolled on service-learning subjects since 2012 and contributed over two million service hours in total—demonstrating PolyU students’ sense of social responsibility and youth leadership.  

PolyU launches AI-enhanced gamified auditory-cognitive training system in local communities, providing innovative homecare solutions for underprivileged older adults with hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss is very prevalent in older adults and is associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased dementia risk. Funded by the Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited, the School of Nursing (SN) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed the AI-enhanced Gamified Auditory-Cognitive Dual-Task Training System 2.0 (the System) that addresses hearing loss and dementia risk with an integrated innovative solution. In partnership with the Community CareAge Foundation (CCAF), the System has been incorporated into a three-year, territory-wide service under CCAF's CareAge Hearing Programme and is expected to benefit around 2,400 underprivileged older adults in Hong Kong. A launch ceremony for the System was held today at the PolyU campus. It was officiated by Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS); Prof. Janelle YORKE, Head of SN; Ms Yuki NG, Philanthropy Manager of the Fu Tak Iam Foundation Limited; Dr CHAN Wah-fat, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CCAF; and Mr LEUNG Chun-hong, Chief Executive of CCAF. Project leader Prof. Ivy Yan ZHAO, Assistant Professor of SN and a member of the PolyU Research Institute for Smart Ageing, and other members of her research team also attended the event to celebrate the official launch of the System in local communities. Prof. David Shum said that the System exemplified PolyU and FHSS's commitment to improving healthy ageing through interdisciplinary research and public engagement. Prof. Janelle Yorke also expressed her delight at the successful transfer of SN's research outcomes to community application. She noted that the official launch of the System marked a shift towards smart management of hearing and cognitive health for older adults living at home, bringing new momentum to the enhancement of homecare services for the elderly. Dr Chan Wah-fat remarked that the collaboration between PolyU and CCAF had bridged a service gap in community healthcare. Mr Leung Chun-hong then introduced the CareAge Hearing Programme, which offers comprehensive hearing screening, specialist consultations, personalised care plans and hearing aids. It will also provide service recipients with free access to the System, aiming to further improve hearing care and address financial, informational and attitudinal barriers to care services facing older adults. Breaking away from the traditional clinical approach of treating the ear and brain separately, the System focuses on the synergy between ear and brain and provides older adults with hearing loss with 12-week auditory-cognitive dual-task training. Incorporating everyday scenarios, the training combines speech-in-noise listening, rapid speech comprehension and competing-speaker tasks with cognitive games which target attention, memory, executive function and visuospatial skills. These tasks are designed to strengthen ear-brain connection, thereby simultaneously enhancing older adults' cognitive and daily listening abilities. The 2.0 version of the System has been upgraded with AI technologies, enabling personalised listening materials based on users' preferences, hearing abilities and training progress. The AI-enhanced System is also equipped with intelligent functions such as speech recognition, automated spoken-response assessment, real-time feedback and interactive progress assessment, improving user engagement and training effectiveness. At the ceremony, Prof. Ivy Zhao introduced the System's functionalities and its clinical application outcomes. Data have shown that older adults who trained with the System demonstrated significant improvements in concentration, memory and mental clarity, as well as reduced hearing-related handicap. An elderly user shared that the training had not only deepened her understanding of her own hearing loss but also improved her quality of daily life. In particular, in noisy environments such as near roads, she is now better able to clearly perceive surrounding sounds and subtle changes, greatly enhancing her safety and alertness. Prof. Ivy Zhao introduced the System’s functionalities and its clinical application outcomes. Under the CareAge Hearing Programme, the AI-enhanced Gamified Auditory-Cognitive Dual-Task Training System 2.0 will be available free of charge for a three-year period to home-dwelling elderly persons aged 60 or above who meet financial eligibility criteria. The SN team will set up a support counter at CCAF's CareAge Health Centre to provide older adults with installation assistance, user training, in-person technical support and a telephone hotline.  

PolyU Community Mental Health Support Programme Volunteer Appreciation Ceremony Concluded Successfully

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has dedicated significant efforts to supporting residents affected by the Wang Fuk Court fire in Tai Po. The School of Nursing formed a multidisciplinary volunteer team, mobilising faculty members, students and alumni to reach out to the community, offering tangible assistance and mental-health support to residents. In recognition of the team’s selfless contributions, the School organised a Community Mental Health Support Programme Volunteer Appreciation event on 30 April, aiming to encourage the University community to leverage its expertise and strengths for the benefit of society. The Ceremony was held on the PolyU campus and officiated by Dr LAM Ching-Choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) and Non-Official Member of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the People’s Republic of China; Mr Horace LIT, Executive Manager, Charities (Health; Older Adults) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Prof. Daniel SHEK, Associate Vice President (Undergraduate Programme) of PolyU; Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement); and Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (FHSS). During his speech, Prof. Daniel Shek said, "We offer our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the residents of Wang Fuk Court. In the face of adversity, our community has come together to demonstrate care and resilience. It is truly moving to see the projects' implementation today as an excellent demonstration of PolyU's motto: 'To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind'. We have always believed that academic excellence only finds its true meaning through civic responsibility and compassionate action." Prof. David Shum remarked, "The Community Mental Health Support Programme has demonstrated the power of collaboration, bringing together healthcare professionals, community partners, housing-site operators and volunteers to provide holistic care." The PolyU volunteer team comprised over 100 FHSS alumni—including psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers—exemplifying the University’s strong interdisciplinary strengths. In addition to distributing over 1,000 relief supply packages to affected residents, the volunteers leveraged their professional expertise to offer immediate and comprehensive health, emotional and social support in helping affected residents to rebuild their lives. Prof. Vivian HUI, Assistant Professor of the School of Nursing, the Community Mental Health Support Programme Leader and a member at ACMH, expressed her gratitude to the volunteers for their professional support and selfless contributions. She said, "We are grateful for the support of the PolyU team that includes professionals from different fields. They have leveraged their knowledge and rich experience to give back to society. With their shared efforts, we have been able to provide residents with timely and comprehensive care, addressing their physical, psychological and social needs. The Programme also equipped the team with valuable hands-on experience, further enhancing their professional competencies and fostering personal growth." Since mid-December last year, the School of Nursing has partnered with seven government and non-governmental organisations to organise volunteer visits to 12 rehousing sites, including transitional housing and residential units managed by the Hong Kong Housing Society, providing support to over 1,200 residents. Over the past three months, the volunteer team has addressed residents’ needs through community outreach. Occupational therapists offered advice on lifestyle adjustment and routine reconstruction by, for example, enhancing fall-prevention awareness among older adults in response to changes in their home and living environments. Social workers advised residents on essential coping skills to help them manage the challenges brought about by life changes while maintaining mental well-being as they integrate into new communities. Psychiatric nurses identified residents experiencing negative emotions, insomnia or related difficulties, and provided counselling and follow-up support. In view of the significant impact of the first Community Mental Health Support Programme, the Programme will continue in 2026-2027. This new phase will focus on monitoring and provide transitional mental health support for residents through a tiered-service model, while also formulating long-term mental health support strategies through data analysis. The aim is to strengthen society’s resilience in navigating major incidents in the future. To date, around 300 residents have completed comprehensive mental health screenings. The team has also organised 10 workshops on topics such as insomnia and psychological resilience, and has referred more than 10 cases to clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and Integrated Community Centres for Mental Wellness for follow-up. Three volunteers representing psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers, respectively, together with a housing operator from the Hong Kong Housing Society, shared their service experiences.   The PolyU multidisciplinary volunteer team posed for a group photo.

PolyU Nursing Ranks 18th in QS 2026, Maintaining Its Strong Position in the Top Nursing Schools Worldwide

PolyU Nursing continues to stand as one of Hong Kong's leading institutions for nursing education, according to the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject (Nursing) 2026. The School's nursing programme has shown consistent advancement across multiple global benchmarks, reaching 18th worldwide, ranking second in Hong Kong, and securing a top position among nursing schools in Asia.   Prof. Janelle YORKE, Chair Professor of Nursing and Head of the School of Nursing at PolyU, stated, "These rankings reflect the School's internationally recognised strengths in nursing research, leadership, and clinical practice. Our continued rise demonstrates that our faculty and students are truly driving meaningful contributions to the nursing profession—enhancing the health and wellbeing of people in Hong Kong and far beyond. We remain committed to attracting the most capable and promising talent to our nursing programmes. Through deep partnerships with industry across education, research, and patient care, we empower our students to grow into the visionary nursing leaders of the future. I extend my sincere appreciation and congratulations to our dedicated academic staff for creating an enriching and supportive learning environment, and for producing innovative, practice-transforming research."   The QS World University Rankings by Subject identify the world's top-performing universities across a wide range of academic disciplines. They serve as a guide for prospective students seeking leading institutions in their chosen fields, with results based on academic reputation, employer reputation, and research impact. Data source: https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/nursing

PolyU School of Nursing win one Bronze in QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025

Winning a Bronze Award in the Nurturing Values and Ethics category, the project "vCare: A Multiplayer Metaverse Game for Interprofessional Healthcare Education" (vCare) is spearheaded by Dr Kitty CHAN, Associate Professor of Practice of the School of Nursing, and her team. Grounded in self-determination theory, the team has developed a metaverse educational game to foster students’ autonomy, competence and relatedness. vCare is a multiplayer online role‑playing game in which students navigate customisable virtual clinical environments, solo or collaboratively, on scenario-based missions. Its gamified design features interactive elements such as knowledge checks, leaderboards and peer recognition. Supporting up to 100 participants in small-group game rooms, the game brings together students from different health professions — such as nursing, rehabilitation and radiography — to collaborate in the virtual space, allowing them to understand other professional perspectives, values and ethical stands, learn to resolve team conflicts and build a strong ethical framework. The team is planning enhancements, including the inclusion of real cases, to further foster empathy inclusive and value‑driven healthcare education. Known as the "Oscars" of the education sector, the QS Reimagine Education Awards honour pioneering pedagogical approaches that improve student learning outcomes and employability. This year, the Awards attracted over 1,650 submissions worldwide, which were rigorously judged by more than 1,300 international experts in the higher education and educational technology sectors, with winners selected across 21 award categories.