The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has joined hands with Sichuan University to provide relief assistance to quake-shattered Sichuan province and to reconstruct the community.

The Sichuan Post-disaster Reconstruction Support and Research Centre was set up immediately after the two universities signed an agreement last Saturday, the PolyU said in a press conference yesterday.

Former standing committee member of the National People's Congress Tsang Hin-chi donated HK$10 million to kick-start the operation.

"We would collaborate by pulling together resources and expertise of the two universities," said PolyU president Poon Chung-kwong.

The PolyU has established an inter-disciplinary task force, which comprises senior members from the faculty of health and social sciences, faculty of engineering, faculty of construction and land use, and the Chinese Mainland Affairs Office, to mobilize and coordinate efforts for the missions.

The Sichuan-based center would offer assistance in three major directions: training high-quality professionals, strengthening rehabilitation services, as well as providing applied construction and engineering technology.

"The president of Sichuan University said that counselors are needed as victims and even volunteers who have taken part in the rescue efforts have been haunted by post-disaster trauma," Poon said.

There are only about 325 workers providing prosthetic services on the mainland, while at least 6,000 are needed as estimated by the World Health Organization, he added.

As such, the first project for the centre will be an intensive "train-the-trainers" program in mid-July.

It aims at improving the quality of healthcare and psychotherapy services by strengthening the training of mainland professionals to cater for the urgent demand.

Meanwhile, the centre is set to introduce advanced technology to improve the productivity of small and medium enterprises whose businesses are tremendously influenced by the earthquake, and to revive local tourism.

To rebuild a sustainable community, the PolyU would provide expertise in the construction of quake-resistant buildings, and in reinforcing terrains with high risk of landslides.

(HK Edition 06/25/2008 page1)