With the joyful and enthusiastic participation of around 40 staff members, the SEC (Department of Special Education and Counselling) Departmental Retreat was successfully held on 30 June 2025. The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dr Yum Yen Na, Cherry, Acting Head of SEC. Dr Yum introduced our new Department Head, Professor Jennifer Jolly, greeted new colleagues across different teams, and further presented the important updates on departmental developments, together with other Associate Heads and related colleagues, in the departmental meeting.
The retreat featured a variety of insightful and engaging sessions. Following the initial departmental meeting, a departmental KPI discussion took place, which fostered reflection on our department's development and explored future directions in the fields of education, research, internationalisation, and staff development. This was followed by an informative workshop led by Dr Lorinda Kwan-Chen, who spoke on “How to Protect Your Brain Functions While Ageing Well.” Dr Kwan-Chen introduced the concept of dementia, discussed the current situation in Hong Kong, and shared practical tips for maintaining brain health.
The retreat was graced by the presence of Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Human Development at The Education University of Hong Kong. Professor Macfarlane expressed gratitude to Dr Yum for her dedicated service to the department and warmly welcomed Professor Jolly to her new leadership role.
A highlight of the retreat was the interactive workshop, “Capitalising on Emerging Technologies for Effective Teaching and Learning – 5 Lessons I Have Learnt,” delivered by Dr Paul Sze Man Man, Honorary Professional Consultant from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Dr Sze shared practical and proven strategies for leveraging emerging technologies, including AI and various digital platforms, to address challenges in higher education and create more inclusive classroom environments. Through hands-on activities and access to simple materials, SEC colleagues experienced firsthand how digital tools can enhance student engagement and interactivity both within and beyond the classroom in large, dynamic, and diverse settings.
The SEC Departmental Retreat 2025 reinforced our commitment to innovation and growth while also sparking enthusiasm that is expected to help the department achieve its goals and strengthen bonds among staff.
