The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:

     Pursuant to the Government's initiative to bolster STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education at the primary and secondary school levels, as well as to step up efforts in identifying and nurturing local STEAM talent, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of public lectures from October to November. Various topics including cultural preservation with artificial intelligence, online pricing, children education, and universe exploration will be covered. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.
 
     The second lecture titled "Child Development, Learning, and Family Interventions" will be held on October 17 (Saturday). The lecture will be conducted in Cantonese. Details are as follows:

Time: 3pm to 5pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library
Live Broadcast: YouTube channel of the Hong Kong Public Libraries
(www.youtube.com/channel/UCJUipdvSACZjO1ldoO3YQBA)
 
Session 1: "How to Effectively Engage and Promote Children's Academic Learning: Findings from Hong Kong Families"
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     Children in Hong Kong face significant academic pressure from a young age, such as early literacy instruction in kindergarten and participation in after-school tutoring in primary school, leading to significant economic and emotional stress for parents. The family, as one of the proximal micro-ecosystems for children's learning and development, plays a vital role in their academic learning, development, and mental well-being. This lecture, presented by Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Social Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr Catrina Liu draws on several studies conducted in Hong Kong to discuss the characteristics of local home learning environment and activities, as well as their relationships with children's Chinese, English, and mathematics abilities, providing empirical guidance on how parents can effectively participate in and enhance their children's learning process.
 
Session 2: "All-round Autism Care: An Overarching Intervention Approach for Autistic Children and Their Parents"
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     This lecture, presented by Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Professor Catherine So will introduce the research team's signature RABI® intervention model, highlighting its contributions to innovation and technological application, as well as its social and educational impact on key stakeholders.

     The RGC has been regularly organising public lectures since 2009, featuring various distinguished scholars as speakers. These lectures aim to promote research knowledge from Hong Kong's tertiary institutions and raise public awareness of the significance and value of local research work.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). Additionally, members of the public can register for the RGC's email subscription service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribe to receive regular updates.

Ends/Friday, October 9, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:30

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