Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) and the China Hong Kong Paralympic Committee (HKPC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a long-term partnership to jointly promote the development of Para sports in Hong Kong and strengthen support for Para athletes. This partnership brings together the strengths of higher education and the Para sports sector, creating synergy to advance professional education and applied research in this field in Hong Kong.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Mr George Tsoi Kin-pan, Commissioner for Sports in the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President, and Mrs Jenny Fung Ma Kit-han, President of HKPC. It was signed by Prof. Alan Au Kai-ming, HKMU Vice President (Strategic Initiatives), and Dr John Leung Lai-yin, Vice President of HKPC.
In his address, Mr Tsoi said that HKMU's launch of the Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Adaptive Sports, together with its collaboration with HKPC to integrate sports expertise and higher education resources, will enrich the curriculum, nurture professionals with specialised knowledge, and support Para athletes in pursuing further education, thereby broadening their career prospects and developmental pathways.
He added that this MoU complements the government's Para Athletes Career and Education Programme, providing robust support for Para athletes to reintegrate into society after retirement. He expressed his hope that this initiative will inspire more institutions to offer diversified adaptive sports programmes, fostering further collaboration and exchange among local universities in Hong Kong and institutions in the Greater Bay Area.
Prof. Au remarked that the MoU marks a significant milestone in promoting social inclusion, supporting the development of Para sports in Hong Kong and nurturing professional talent. He said, “We will continue to create opportunities for athletes, establish practical platforms for our students and make long-term contributions to the development of inclusive sports in Hong Kong.” By way of example, he noted that students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physiotherapy can participate in the “Sports Physiotherapy Exposure And Rehabilitation (SPEAR) Programme”, which allows them to gain hands-on experience serving Para athletes and applying their clinical expertise in real-world sporting environments.
Dr Leung noted that “the classification system is essential in Para sports and the cornerstone of fair competition”, as it determines athletes' eligibility to compete. However, the system is currently English-dominated.
He expressed his hope that, through collaboration with HKMU, they can raise public awareness of classification and even integrate it into academic curricula, with the aim of training independent, internationally qualified classification personnel. This will help the country and Hong Kong achieve greater participation and a stronger voice in the international Para sports arena.
Guests attending the event to witness the signing of the MoU included Para athletes from Hong Kong, China: Mr Daniel Chan Ho-yuen, Para badminton athlete and guest speaker for HKMU's newly launched Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Adaptive Sports, and Para sailing athletes Mr Foo Yuen-wai, Ms Sylvia Leung Yuk-chun and Mr Mark Poon Tze-ming.
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Under the MoU, the two parties will promote academic and research collaboration, including the provision of professional education through academic and training programmes, and joint applied research initiatives focusing on Para sports and rehabilitation.
To broaden HKMU students' horizons, the two parties will enrich their learning experience in the Para sports industry through local and international partnerships, education activities and professional engagement opportunities. In addition, both parties will foster collaboration to support Para athletes in pursuing higher education through equitable, flexible and accessible learning pathways, and will jointly promote Para sports-related programmes, academic activities and conferences.
As the first university of applied sciences in Hong Kong, HKMU is committed to nurturing professional talent for the sports and healthcare sectors through practice-oriented programmes that integrate theory and application. Among these, the Master of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Adaptive Sports equip students with professional knowledge, practical skills and leadership capabilities to excel in adaptive sports, helping individuals with impairments unleash their potential and promoting inclusive sports. The programmes also equip students to design adaptive sports programmes, participate in policymaking and lead innovative initiatives, facilitating positive systemic changes across healthcare, education, sports organisations, community initiatives, NGOs and academia.
