The Year 2024 is moving quickly for PAIR. With the arrival of spring, we would like to take this opportunity to share with you some major updates in this newsletter.
In the previous issue (December 2023), we shared the establishment of a new research centre focusing on textiles for future fashion. PAIR steps into the new year with confidence and higher goals. On the first day of 2024, we announced the establishment of another new constituent unit, the Research Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism (RCDTT).
Over the past two years, PAIR has laid the foundations for interdisciplinary collaboration. With more new units joining the Academy and various initiatives falling into place, it is now time for us to build endurance and strength for a farther-reaching PAIR impact.
In this issue, the Feature Story section introduces you to the type of research that RCDTT is pursuing. Technology is revolutionising the travel industry, and RCDTT is determined to bring forth even more advanced technologies that will make the tourism sector greener and the traveller experience more satisfying. In addition, our dialogue with Prof. SO Kwok-fai, PAIR International Advisory Committee Member, will enlighten you on the Academy’s direction for future development, particularly the research potential of Active Health and Chinese medicine, as well as the importance of incentives, young talents and public-oriented science communication. Meanwhile, our story on Prof. David SHUM Ho-keung, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, offers insights into his work, which applies neuropsychology and technology to mind-body interventions that address neurocognitive degeneration and mental health issues.
The Knowledge Transfer section highlights a number of ground-breaking PAIR-led innovations that have been successfully translated for adoption and use by industry and the wider community. These include WHOeyes, a mobile app for vision testing; colour management technologies that are used in over 100 million smart devices annually; and Cream Mate, a novel fungal-based fat replacer. We are very excited to share with you that Hotel ICON, PolyU’s unique teaching and research hotel, will serve low-fat desserts made from Cream Mate on their regular menus starting from this month! This novel food formula not only makes sweet indulgences less fatty and healthier; it also benefits our guts and the environment.
Our Research Achievements section provides you with breaking science news about PAIR-led innovations for controlling myopia, combatting depression, and producing cleaner, greener plastics. The People section highlights outstanding PAIR scientists who have been honoured with distinguished titles and new projects awarded with external grants. The News & Events section gives an at-a-glance overview of the latest activities and happenings at PAIR, including a visit from the Chinese Manned Space delegation, and our newly launched Research Impact Video Series.
The first quarter of 2024 has been very fruitful and eventful for PAIR. We are thankful for your continued support. Many more PAIR-led events and activities will be organised in the coming months. These include a conference on acupuncture and TCM in May 2024 and a conference on floating solutions in December 2024. Do stay tuned to us on various online and offline channels for the latest conference announcements and other updates. Thank you very much, and I hope you enjoy reading issue 9 of the PAIR newsletter.
Prof. CHEN Qingyan
Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
