Research Grants Council to present public lecture on "Sports and Child Growth: Communication and Swimming Skills"

Echoing the upcoming 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games, the Research Grants Council (RGC) will organise a series of sports- and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics)-related public lectures from October to November. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis. All are welcome.

The first lecture titled "Sports and Child Growth: Communication and Swimming Skills" will be held on October 19 (Sunday). 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: "Sport's Role in Boosting Children's Language Development and Addressing Communication Challenges in Adult Athletes with Brain Injury"
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This lecture, led by the Unit Head and Associate Professor of the Academic Unit of Human Communication, Learning, and Development of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Anthony Kong, along with speech therapists Ms Elaine Eramela and Ms Amy Wong, will explore how engaging in sports activities can positively impact the language acquisition and communication skills of children with or without special needs. In addition, the lecture will explore how speech-language therapists can assist adult athletes with breathing issues, voice disorders, and communication difficulties related to brain injuries.

Session 2: "How Competent Can Children in Hong Kong Swim?"
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This lecture, presented by Associate Head and Associate Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education of the Education University of Hong Kong Dr Derwin Chan will introduce groundbreaking studies on Hong Kong children's swimming competence, and explain the factors associated with their swimming abilities. The lecture will also discuss how the research findings can be applied to develop an internationally recognised standard that systematically evaluates the age-relevant swimming competence of children.

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.