PolyU SPEED and Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Sign MOU on Launching HK’s First Professional Certificate in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy
01 Mar 2024
In response to the increasing demand for sports physiotherapy professionals, the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), in collaboration with the School of Professional Education and Executive Development (SPEED) of PolyU, and the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association (HKPA), hosted a seminar titled “The Opportunity, Rewards, and Challenges as a Sports Physiotherapist” on 1 March 2024. A groundbreaking Professional Certificate Course in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy was also announced during the event.
Esteemed guests attended the seminar including Dr Lam Tai-fai, Council Chairman of PolyU; Mr Wong Tak-sum, Sam, Commissioner for Sports, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Sports and Recreation Branch, HKSAR Government; Mr Wong Po-kee, Honorary Deputy Secretary General of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, key faculty members of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and PolyU SPEED, and executive committee members of HKPA.
Mr Wong Tak-sum, Sam, a retired athlete, shared his insights into the evolution of mass and elite sports in Hong Kong, emphasising the pivotal role played by sports physiotherapists. In addition, prominent athletes, such as basketball player Mr Lee Ki, and footballer Mr Yapp Hung-fai, shared their experiences with sports physiotherapy, along with seasoned sports physiotherapist Ms Bonnie Lau.
PolyU SPEED and HKPA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly introduce a first-of-its-kind 6-month part-time Professional Certificate in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy at HKQF Level 6 in July 2024, which is tailored for registered physiotherapists in Hong Kong who are seeking to specialise in sports physiotherapy. The comprehensive curriculum is designed by specialists from PolyU’s Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, covering essential elements of sports physiotherapy, from “Immediate Care for Emergency, Traumatic, and Medical Conditions”, “Principles of Sports Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation”, to “Exercise training principles”. The programme boasts a team of distinguished tutors, including academics from the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and experienced sports physiotherapists from HKPA. Students will be able to gain hands-on experience with on-field physiotherapy services under their guidance. Eligible graduates could apply for credit exemptions when articulating with PolyU’s Master of Science in Sports Physiotherapy programme.
“We are grateful for the support government showed in developing the field of professional sports physiotherapy,” said Prof. Amy Fu, Associate Director of Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology, Associate Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Peter Hung Professor in Pain Management of PolyU, and also the programme coordinator for MSc in Sports Physiotherapy. She added, “With Hong Kong’s athletes gearing up for international and national competitions like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games , the 15th National Games and the FISU World University Games Summer in 2025, and the Asian Games in 2026, the need for qualified sports physiotherapists has never been greater. The launch of this professional certificate course comes at a significant time.”
Enrolment for the Professional Certificate in Advanced Practice in Sports Physiotherapy will open in May 2024. For more details, please click here.