Small action counts big

This story comes from a recent WhatsApp conversation with one of my close friends, a retired professor from a local university. As both of us have worked in academia, we have remained in constant contact since we attended church services together with another friend more than thirty years ago. The other friend, who received less education, was once a plumber, a handyman, and even dabbled in small businesses. He doesn’t live an easy life.

Things became worse on one fateful day a few years ago when a car accident left him in a coma for several months. Although he awakened from the coma after undergoing several surgeries, he remains confined to bed. Despite the obvious gap in their social statuses, my scholarly friend makes it a point to visit the less fortunate friend several times a year, praying for his recovery and bringing stories of the outside world and the warmth of friendship to him. Although the visits cannot restore his health, the attention and care mean a lot to the bedridden friend.

This scholarly friend has cared for people in need from different walks of life for many years. In a world where there is no shortage of less fortunate individuals, I often ponder whether we can truly help by performing small good deeds, not to mention the difficulties in persisting when results seem intangible and unpromising. Yet, Matthew 25:40 reminds me: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” When the world is not always as beautiful as we wish and when things do not go our way, my friend’s deeds remind me that there are always actions we can take to bring light to others. My friend’s consistent efforts to console weakened souls reassure me that human nature has a bright side.

Dr Daisy Wang Dichen at the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology (MIT) also exemplifies this spirit of helping the disadvantaged through her research and teaching endeavours. At MIT, Dr Wang is devoted to developing effective mathematics learning materials for students with different learning abilities. With a big heart for teaching, she often asks herself how she can better understand her students’ learning difficulties so that she can find the best methods for nurturing them. A firm believer in the power of “Teaching for Mathematising”, Dr Wang emphasises the importance of discovery and construction of mathematical concepts by learners themselves. Don’t miss her story in the newsletter.

Older adults used to have fewer options for social and physical activities; however, their disadvantages have gradually improved as more efforts are made to promote active ageing. At the Department of Health and Physical Education (HPE), Dr Carman Leung Ka-man and her research team have conducted extensive research to demonstrate the benefits of Light Volleyball (LVB) for the well-being of older adults. They also help organise numerous LVB activities for senior players to keep them physically and socially active. Thanks to continuous efforts from academia, NGOs, and the commercial sector, the quality of life for elderly people has substantially improved. In this issue of FLASS FORWARD, readers can find an interview story with Dr Leung and a story about how senior LVB players from Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Nanchang competed in the grand finals held in July at EdUHK.

The increasing prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's worldwide is closely connected to the global trend of ageing. In response, neuroscientists have been working diligently to find better ways to treat these diseases. This issue of FLASS FORWARD features an interview with Professor Ken Yung Kin-lam, Associate Vice President (Research) and Chair Professor of Biology and Neuroscience at the Department of Science and Environmental Studies, to understand how his research can assist patients with these conditions. While neuroscience has made significant strides over the past several decades, many puzzles about how the human brain functions remain unsolved. Professor Yung shares some thoughts on the mysteries awaiting discovery by scientists and offers tips on maintaining healthy brains and nervous systems.

In September, the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA) transitioned from FLASS to the Faculty of Humanities. In August, the faculty organised a farewell party to bid a fond goodbye to our former CCA colleagues. While it is difficult to see CCA leave us, we wish it continued success in its new role, inspiring EdUHK students with the joy of music and the beauty of visual arts while leaving a life-changing impact on them.

The Outstanding FLASS Alumni Award was launched in the 2023/24 academic year to recognise our alumni’s professional success and their contributions to society and their alma mater. Alumni are an invaluable asset to FLASS. Many alumni are eager to volunteer their time and expertise to support our work. Some come back to campus to share their rich professional experiences and career advice with current students. We are grateful for their generosity in returning favours to FLASS and the University. Their stories will be featured in this issue as well as future editions of the newsletter.

Nine proposals from FLASS have been awarded funding support totalling over HK$6.84 million from the Research Grants Council (RGC) for the academic year 2024/25. I would like to congratulate all FLASS colleagues whose proposals have been accepted in latest RGC funding exercise. Management will continue to support our colleagues in employing inventive approaches to bolster our research output and to achieve academic excellence. My sincere congratulations go to our scholars who are included on Standford University's latest list of World's Top 2% Most-cited Scientists, with 13 of them ranked among the top 1% scientists. I also take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for nine elite athlete students and graduates, seven of them from HPE, for their remarkable performances in representing either Hong Kong and China at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

 

People say that ongoing wars are tearing apart our world, claiming many precious lives along the way. I have also observed that digital addiction is dismantling human connections as more people seek refuge in virtual realms while losing their ability to socialise and care for one another. Conflicts, violence, and growing indifference towards human suffering present major challenges to us today. While it is easy to become disheartened by negative thoughts, we still find hope when we focus on positive aspects around us, no matter how small they may be. Visiting a bedridden person may not provide immediate assistance for their health; however, mental support derived from such actions can be enormous. Every small action is significant; genuine personal interactions — a smile, a blessing and a pat — can create change by serving as reminders of human kindness. And Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Indeed, the very act of giving is already a blessing to the giver!

Professor Li Wai-keung

Dean of FLASS