A brew of calm: tea, aromas and fresh beginnings at FLASS
RPg students pose with their handmade massage oils. From left, Burcu Mirkelam, Tian Yingchun, and Tapos Kormoker.
RPg students smell and select their favourite essential oils before blending them with base oils. From left, Jaclyn Tsang Hei, Zhang Haiqin, and Cheng Yue.
Attending RPg students practice self-massage techniques on their shoulders and neck, applying gentle pressure and making small circular motions.
On the afternoon of 29 September, a symphony of scents—bergamot, sweet orange, lavender, frankincense and more—filled the multi-function room opposite the Pacific Office café. Inside, research postgraduate (RPg) students from various programmes within FLASS were carefully selecting and blending aromatic essential oils with plant-based carriers to create their own massage oils. The aromatherapy workshop offered a timely respite as the new 2025/26 academic year began, providing a sensory-rich experience to help them relax within their demanding academic schedules.
As the kick-off event for this year’s FLASS Student Enrichment and Social Activities Series, the workshop attracted around 15 RPg students. Ms Yangie Yiu, founder of Ego Aromatherapy and a registered International Federation of Aromatherapists (IFA) Clinical Aromatherapist was the workshop trainer. “Aromatherapy is a holistic approach that emphasises balancing body, mind and spirit,” she said.
Ms Yangie Yiu, founder of EGO AROMATHERAPY and a registered IFA Clinical Aromatherapist explains to the audience what aromatherapy is, emphasising that it is a holistic approach using essential oils extracted from plants to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
The experienced aromatherapist explained the distinct properties and benefits of popular essential oils such as Lavender, Bergamot, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Cedarwood and so forth in addressing a range of conditions, including stress, anxiety, sleeping problems, muscle tension and other health issues. She demonstrated how to select and blend oils to produce tailored massage oils. In the final part of the 1.5 hour workshop, she taught and practised with the class effective self-massage techniques for the head, neck, and shoulders to alleviate tension immediately.
Ms Fu Jiachen, right, says her supervisor, Professor Song Yanjie from MIT, not only encourages but also accompanies her to attend the aromatherapy workshop. “The workshop helps me take a break from collecting data, reading journals, and writing papers,” Jiachen says.
The workshop gave us a break from our studies to release pressure and learn new things.
One of the workshop participants was Ms Fu Jiachen. Originally from Heilongjiang province, Jiachen obtained an undergraduate degree in computer engineering in Shanghai and worked there for several years before coming to EdUHK to pursue a master’s degree and work as a research assistant. She has started her doctoral programme under Professor Song Yanjie from the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT) in the 2025/26 academic year. “PhD students face heavy workloads conducting hundreds of experiments and reading tonnes of research materials. The workshop gave us a break from our studies to release pressure and learn new things,” said the first-year PhD student.
Jiachen shared how her supervisor’s supportive nature influenced her participation. “Initially, I just wanted to join the tea reception due to time constraints. It was Professor Song who encouraged me to join the aromatherapy workshop. She even accompanied us for a while during the session. It turned out to be a very refreshing experience, allowing me to momentarily forget about academic matters and unwind while making my own massage oil,” she said.
Ms KHATTAK Lubna-Hashim, left, says that with a refreshed mind and discussions with other RPg students, she gains new ideas about how to analyse her data after the workshop. From second on the left to right: Zhang Lihua, Zhang Yiwen, Zhang Yangzhanhao
Engaging in discussions with others often opens up new pathways for thought and action, which was what experienced in the aromatherapy workshop.
Ms KHATTAK Lubna Hashim, a third-year PhD student, also shared her insights on the challenges of pursuing a doctoral degree. She explained that studying for a PhD requires wide-ranging communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds to explore and develop innovative strategies for achieving goals effectively and efficiently. “While this can sometimes lead to considerable stress, engaging in discussions with others often opens up new pathways for thought and action, which was what experienced in the aromatherapy workshop,” she said.
She added that the workshop not only provided relaxation but also refreshed her perspective on analysis. Ms Khattak comes from District Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, Pakistan. She is currently working on Fish Toxicology under the supervision of Dr Cheng Jinping from the Department of Science and Environmental Studies (SES).
FLASS management organises various enrichment and social activities, such as latte art workshops, aromatherapy sessions, and excursions, to provide students with opportunities to engage in non-academic activities and unwind. From left to right, Professor Philip Yu Leung-ho and Professor Song Yanjie from MIT; Dr Deng Wenjing from SES; Dr Anthony Suen Chun-kit, Assistant Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies); Professor Daniel Chow Hung-kay, Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies); Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS; Dr Leung Chi-fai, Associate Professor from SES; Dr David Chan Tse-tin from MIT.
Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, introduces to the students to the faculty’s management structure, including various associate and assistant deans and heads of department.
Professor Daniel Chow Hung-kay, Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies) of FLASS, highlights several awards for research students, including the Outstanding Research Postgraduate Student Award (OPSA), which provides financial support for RPg students to participate in academic conferences.
Before the workshop, a tea reception was held to mark the beginning of the new academic year, and to welcome new RPg students. Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of FLASS, introduced the students to the faculty management structure, including associate and assistant deans and heads of department. He also outlined the departmental Learning and Teaching Committee and Research Development Committee as resources relevant to their studies.
Professor Daniel Chow Hung-kay, Associate Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies) of FLASS, emphasised the faculty’s commitment to supporting attendance at academic conferences throughout the postgraduate journey. He highlighted the Best RPg Student Teaching Award and the Outstanding Research Postgraduate Student Award (OPSA), which financially reward and support students excelling in teaching roles and conference presentations. He reminded students to seek help from their Academic Advisers assigned by the department.
Dr Anthony Suen Chun-kit, Assistant Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies) of FLASS, updated the audience on the upcoming Faculty Postgraduate Seminar in November 2025. He reviewed the success of last year’s enrichment and social activities, and introduced the social events planned for this academic year.
Dr Anthony Suen Chun-kit, Assistant Dean (Research and Postgraduate Studies) of FLASS, encourages students to make use of the Faculty Postgraduate Seminar, held twice every academic year, to refine their presentation skills.
Mr Linus Lo, a third-year PhD student, encourages fellow RPg students to take advantage of the opportunities, resources, and incentives provided by the faculty. He shares that, thanks to the faculty's support, his presentation, writing, and publishing skills have improved significantly.
Following Dr Suen’s remarks, Mr Linus Lo, a third-year PhD student under Dr Cheng Jinping, shared insights into doctoral life at EdUHK. He encouraged students to broaden their horizons academically and personally by taking part in international exchange programmes, social enrichment activities and building friendships with peers from diverse backgrounds. He highlighted opportunities, resources and incentives offered by the faculty to help students gain experience in conference presentations and academic publication.
Dean of FLASS Professor Li concluded by emphasizing that pursuing a PhD is a long journey requiring both creativity and perseverance. “FLASS will continue to organise various enrichment and social activities. Through these activities, our RPg students will enrich themselves personally, culturally and socially. These activities will help them maintain a healthy work-life balance which is essential for an academic long-distance run,” he remarked.
