The Department of Counselling and Psychology at Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) hosted the “Inclusion and Wellness: Integrated Strategies for SEN Support” seminar and workshop on 20 December 2025. Several experts shared practical insights on how to understand and support students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), aiming to enhance their mental health and promote inclusive education. Nearly 300 educators and parents attended.
Professor Sun Tien-lun, Senior Vice President, remarked that the university has long embraced the Confucian ideal of inclusive education—education without discrimination—which aligns closely with modern concepts of educational inclusion. She emphasised that the university supports students’ mental wellbeing not only through teaching, but also by organising regular activities via the Office of Student Affairs to foster a nurturing and supportive campus environment. “The campus is a reflection of society,” she said. “We hope to begin on campus by promoting a culture of mental health and inclusivity, and extend that care to the wider community, enabling every student to reach their full potential.”
Professor Hue Ming-tak, Vice President (Graduate School) and BAT programme coordinator, expressed gratitude to the Education Bureau for commissioning HKSYU to provide Thematic Courses on catering for SEN students. He highlighted that the programme not only equips educators with the necessary knowledge, but also creates a long-term platform for sharing and collaboration—even among participants from different schools—allowing for mutual support and exchange of resources. Citing recent data, he noted that among 6,082 children and adolescents (ages 6 to 17), 24.4% experienced at least one mental disorder in the past year, some involving suicidal ideation or behaviour. Moreover, for the 2024/25 academic year, over 11,000 new psychiatric outpatient cases are in the 6 to 18 age group, according to the Hospital Authority.
Professor Hue stressed that these figures highlight the urgency of addressing student mental health. He hoped that the seminar would promote inclusiveness and psychological wellbeing, while encouraging collaboration among educators, psychologists, and parents to foster a positive learning environment.
Guest speaker Patrick Lam, educator and television host, underscored the critical role parents play in shaping their children’s development, noting that attitudes and words greatly influence a child’s motivation to learn. He pointed out that resilience is not innate but cultivated through everyday experiences. He encouraged parents to listen to their children’s struggles before rushing to discipline them, to model how to handle setbacks, and to grant children enough autonomy to face consequences and grow. “Resilience,” he concluded, “isn’t homework for children alone—it’s a journey of growth shared by both parents and children.”
Commissioned by the Education Bureau, the department has been delivering Thematic Courses for Teacher Professional Development on catering for SEN students over three academic years (2024–2027), designed to enhance teaching strategies for SEN students. Over the past year alone, nearly 800 teachers have participated in the training.
Professor Sun Tien-lun emphasised that the courses not only strengthen participants’ professional knowledge and practical skills for supporting SEN students, but also encourage better communication and collaboration among various stakeholders, helping to build a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.
