Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) has officially received professional accreditation from the Physiotherapists Board of the Supplementary Medical Professions Council (SMPC) for its four-year Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy programme, which was launched in 2020 to meet strong demand for healthcare professionals in Hong Kong. The first cohort of graduates are now qualified to practise as registered physiotherapists in Hong Kong and can apply for full membership in the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association.
HKMU held a reception today to celebrate the accreditation, with officiating guest SMPC Member Mr Tony Au Tat-kwong, together with HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies Prof. Janet Wong Yuen-ha, Associate Dean (Development and Strategic Relationships) of the School of Nursing and Health Studies Prof. William Tsang Wai-nam, and Head of Physiotherapy and Associate Professor of the School of Nursing and Health Studies Dr Doris Chong Yin-kei.
In his address, Ir Dr Conrad Wong expressed his gratitude to SMPC for granting professional accreditation to the programme. He also thanked the Government, the Hospital Authority (HA), and HKMU's industry partners for their unwavering support, which provided HKMU students with ample resources and practical training opportunities. “As the first University of Applied Sciences in Hong Kong, HKMU will continue to collaborate with industry and the professions to offer a wide range of applied degree programmes,” he said. “In the field of healthcare, we are committed to providing diverse learning opportunities for the new generation who aspire to join the industry, encouraging them to advance their qualifications and pursue their dreams.”
The first cohort of graduates have completed over 1,000 hours of clinical placements in hospitals, clinics and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Over 80% of them have secured employment, with approximately 90% joining the HA and the remaining 10% joining NGOs. For the upcoming 2024/25 academic year, the programme is offering 50 first-year places, and the response to enrolment has been highly encouraging.
Fresh graduates said that HKMU provides a wealth of training and practice, as well as well-equipped physiotherapy and healthcare laboratory facilities, which provide them with a good understanding of the actual work environment for physiotherapy professionals and prepare for their careers from an early stage. Graduating student Summer Lau Tsz-sum said, “I suffered from scoliosis when I was at secondary school. Thanks to my physiotherapist's treatment, my condition stabilised, and I decided to join the industry to help others and give back to the community. During the four-year programme, I participated in various community services, such as giving health talks to NGOs and making home visits to promote public awareness of physiotherapy. These experiences enhanced my communication skills and will enable me to better connect with patients in my future career.”
Henry Yuen Hin-lam said, “Since childhood, I have always had a deep passion for sports, and I appreciate the importance of physiotherapy in enhancing athletic performance and preventing injuries. After joining HKMU, I am happy to practise what I have learnt, such as providing sports rehabilitation services to paralysed sailing athletes, including Hong Kong's award-winning athletes in international competitions, under the guidance of my teachers. I also provided palliative and therapeutic services to the HKMU volleyball team during matches and training to support their efforts to achieve good results for the University.”
The University has well-equipped teaching facilities on campus to enhance the pre-service training of students. The Jockey Club Institute of Healthcare, which opened in 2021, houses five state-of-the-art physiotherapy laboratories: the Neurological Physiotherapy Laboratory, Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and Simulation Laboratory, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Laboratory, Sports Physiotherapy and Biomechanics Laboratory, and Electrophysical Therapy and Assistive Technology Laboratory. And in 2022, the HKMU Physiotherapy Centre opened, providing facilities for physiotherapy clinical training, as well as physiotherapy services to members of the University and the community by professional physiotherapists.
The Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy programme is included in the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP), and students enrolled in the programme for the 2024/25 academic year will receive a grant of HK$79,770. To encourage young people who aspire to become physiotherapists to join the healthcare profession and serve the community, full scholarships will be granted for new 2024/25 Physiotherapy students whose combined score in three HKDSE core subjects (Chinese, English and Mathematics) plus their two best Elective subjects is 25 or above, with “Attained” in Citizenship and Social Development.
