Excellence in Nursing Leadership:
Pioneering Research, Innovative Education and Impacts
Professor Chia-Chin Lin
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Director |
Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Charity Foundation Professor in Nursing
As the HKU School of Nursing celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey that has brought us to the forefront of nursing education, research, and community impact in Asia. Over three decades, the School has nurtured future nursing leaders, pioneered innovations in healthcare education, and transformed the landscape of nursing research. This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate our achievements, honour the contributions of our predecessors, and recommit to advancing nursing leadership globally.
Pioneering Research with Real-World Impacts
Thematic research at the HKU School of Nursing has consistently driven transformative change in healthcare policy and practice. Our Smoking Cessation and Tobacco Control Research Team played a pivotal role in influencing Hong Kong’s landmark total ban on alternative smoking products in 2022. This policy, credited with reducing smoking prevalence to a historic low of 9.1% in 2023. The Community and Mental Health Research Team developed Hong Kong’s first Breastfeeding GPS app, based on evidence-based Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative and Breastfeeding Friendly Community Initiative, now adopted by the Department of Health, and informs global guidelines and policies that address disparities in breastfeeding rates worldwide. These reflect the School’s ability to translate research findings into actionable policy that benefits public health.
In Gerontology and Long-term Care, our Healthy Ageing Registry, aligned with the WHO’s Integrated Care for Older People framework, has mapped the functional health of over 11,500 older adults, laying the foundation for evidence-based programmes addressing ageing challenges. Similarly, our Cancer and Palliative Care research has demonstrated innovative interventions such as tai chi therapy to improve sleep disturbance and overall wellbeing in advanced lung cancer patients, earning publication in elite journals like JAMA Oncology.
These thematic research teams exemplify the School’s commitment to bridging science with societal needs, ensuring that our discoveries lead to global health improvements and equitable healthcare outcomes.
Innovative Education for Tomorrow’s Nurses
Our teaching strategies marry cutting-edge technologies with compassionate care to prepare students for the complexities of modern healthcare. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into simulated-based teaching environments allows students to experience realistic scenarios, enhancing their diagnostic accuracy and critical thinking. The School’s simulation training centre, accredited by the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare, remains a leader in Southeast Asia, offering the largest and most advanced simulation models in Hong Kong.
To cultivate humanity and global perspectives, we launched the Life Enrichment Learning Course, which immerses students in diverse cultural and healthcare settings worldwide. These experiences teach empathy, adaptability, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that our graduates embody both technical proficiency and compassion. The introduction of innovative tracks, such as the Advanced Leadership Track in the Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and the upcoming Bachelor of Science in Nursing further equips students to become technological-savvy leaders in healthcare.
Honouring Leadership and Vision
The School’s achievements are built on the visionary leadership of its former heads, who have left indelible impacts on the nursing profession. Professor Agnes Tiwari, now Chairman of the Nursing Council of Hong Kong, has championed the professional development of nurses through the Voluntary Scheme on Advanced and Specialised Nursing Practice. Her work continues to elevate nursing standards and pave the way for advanced practice and specialisation in Hong Kong.
Professor Sophia Chan Siu-chee, former Secretary for Food and Health, transformed Hong Kong’s primary healthcare landscape through her advocacy for the Primary Healthcare Blueprint. Her reforms, including the establishment of District Health Centres, addressed critical gaps in community healthcare and laid a sustainable foundation for the future. Her unwavering dedication to patient-centred care remains a guiding principle for the School.
Community Engagement During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the HKU School of Nursing rose to the occasion, mobilising over 500 students and teaching staff to support testing, vaccination, patient care, and public education. The School established care models for elderly patients at isolation facilities, alleviated the burden on hospitals, and created educational materials to debunk myths about COVID-19. These efforts reflect the School’s commitment to serving the community and embodying the spirit of nursing leadership in times of crisis.
Looking Ahead
As we commemorate this 30th anniversary, we reaffirm our dedication to excellence in nursing leadership. Through pioneering research, innovative education, and a steadfast commitment to societal impact, the HKU School of Nursing will continue to nurture compassionate, competent, and visionary nurses who lead with humanity. Together, we look to the future, confident in our ability to shape a healthier and more equitable world.