Ranked as one of the top design schools in the world, PolyU’s School of Design is taking a major step forward by establishing the first Design Institute for Social Innovation in Hong Kong and in Asia. Prof. Cees de Bont (picture on left), Dean of School of Design, and Mr Alvin Yip (picture on right), Director of Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation, introduce some initiatives of the Institute.

Could you share with us the objectives of the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI)?

PolyU is committed to achieving excellence in applied research and transferring knowledge and skills with application value to the society. The aim of J.C.DISI – as reflected in its name "Design for Social Innovation" – is, through design, to effect change in society to enhance efficiency and quality of life through sustainable well-being for all.

Supported by a generous grant from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, J.C.DISI aims to facilitate design and designer's response towards the increasingly complex social challenges today. J.C.DISI will be a curator, a "third space", a necessary partner for the government, corporations and the community in research of societal change.

Could you introduce the J.C. DISI International Advisory Committee set up recently?

The International Advisory Committee comprises 12 distinguished experts, academics and industry practitioners, with Ms Kigge Hvid as the Chairlady. Ms Hvid is founding CEO of the renowned INDEX: Design to Improve LifeR. Another member is Prof. Jeremy Myerson, who is Director of Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design at Royal College of Art in the United Kingdom.

Can you introduce some major events of the Institute? 

J.C.DISI will launch the "Design for Social Innovation Festival". This annual major event will celebrate and advance best practices for the social innovative ethos, including the most successful projects of the Institute. The Festival will consist of creative and exciting exhibitions, symposia, workshops for a wide spectrum of interests and stakeholder groups. 

J.C.DISI has engaged Helen Hamlyn Centre as partner for its first "Design for Social Innovation Festival", a community event that will be organized in parallel with the professional IncludeAsia Conference when the Innovation Tower opens in mid 2013.

What is the purpose of introducing the “Design for Social Innovation Award”?

The award will be presented during the Festival to an individual or team of youth whose work is found to best exemplify design for social good, social impact, as well as social systemic change.

Details>>