This year, the School of Nursing of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking their nearly half a century of dedication, achievement, innovation and excellence.

Established in 1977, the School of Nursing achieved a number of successes and played a pioneering role in world of nursing by being the first to offer many of Hong Kong's first nursing programmes. The School saw a need to further the education and career development needs of post-registration nurses and made early responses to offer a range of diploma, post-experience nursing diploma, higher diploma and conversion programmes to provide opportunities for registered nurses to pursue education at the tertiary level.

In 1990, the School of Nursing started offering the city's first nursing bachelor degree programme for undergraduates. The goal was to provide the first comprehensive and coherent undergraduate curriculum that emphasized both the theoretical and practicing bases of nursing.

In 1998, the School began offering the Master of Science in Nursing programme, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The programme aimed to provide advanced knowledge and skills to prepare nursing leaders and nurture nurses in specialized areas for advanced practice.

Throughout the years, the School of Nursing has developed solid collaborative partnerships with other education institutions and professional organisations, both locally and overseas. To expand the delivery options of nursing programmes, the School collaborated with St. Paul's Hospital and St Teresa's Hospital to offer a self-financed Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Nursing programme. In the same vein, in response to the career development needs of non-nursing graduates, the School has been collaborating with Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital to offer the Hong Kong's first pre-registration Master of Nursing programme for university graduates from other major.

The School of Nursing has been recognised worldwide and continues to leap forward in international rankings. It ranks 30th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, and is also one of only four Asian schools of nursing in the top 50 list. The School takes pride in every staff member and graduate that has set foot in its corridors. It believes that their collective effort, commitment, and dedication have led to the advancement of nursing education and services everywhere.

To date, the School has nurtured more than 14,500 graduates who are outstanding nurses serving the profession and the community for the benefit of mankind.

Year-long celebration

During the entirety of 2017, the School of Nursing has been holding a number of events to commemorate its 40th birthday.

The 20th East Asian Forum of Nursing Scholars (EAFONS)

The School organised this landmark event as EAFONS celebrated its 20th anniversary in Hong Kong. This EAFONS, with its theme "Globalization and Research in Doctoral Nursing Education", brought together over 700 participants from 14 countries/places to develop synergies in promoting the development of doctoral nursing education and research.

World Health Day Carnival

The event, themes 'fighting against depression', was co-organised by the School of Nursing and hosted by the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing.

The Induction Ceremony of Pi Iota Chapter, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International

In May, there was the Induction Ceremony of Pi Iota Chapter, Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. Mr Lawrence Poon, Chief Manager (Nursing), the Hospital Authority delivered a keynote speech at the event. A total of 35 people were inducted.

The Chinese Consortium Student Exchange Summer Programme

Taking their cheer into the mainland, in July the School held The Chinese Consortium Student Exchange Summer Programme at Xi'an Jiaotong University. Participants from 63 higher education institutes in Greater China joined the programme to discuss the development and trend of transitional care and the application of innovative practices.

School of Nursing 40th Anniversary Alumni Dinner

Over 200 participants joined the anniversary alumni dinner. The alumni reconnected and enjoyed a night with their teachers and old school friends.

International Nursing Conference 2017

An International Nursing Conference was held on 18-19 October at PolyU. Under the theme "Global Nursing Leadership: Research-based Practice and Education", the invited speakers for the conference examine emerging global trends, their impact on education, research, and nursing practice, and the inter-relations among these three domains.

School of Nursing 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

The School of Nursing 40th Anniversary Celebration Dinner was held on October 19th, where many of the school's partners, former students, staff and 40 outstanding alumni gathered to celebrate its history and success.

The 3rd Hong Kong Innovation Day

Finally, at the end of the year on November 22nd, The 3rd Hong Kong Innovation Day will be held at PolyU. The event is hosted by The Hong Kong Innovation Academy which is organised by the School of Nursing. The winner of the competition will receive a trophy and the chance to compete for the Innovation Award of Excellence at the Global Healthcare Innovation Day in 2018 in Hong Kong.

For details of the celebratory events: http://sn.polyu.edu.hk/sn_40th_anniversary/en/