News

Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2024

The Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2024 was successfully held from 21 to 24 November 2024, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. During the four-day expo, the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) showcased the latest innovations from PolyU faculty members in the Department of Applied Social Sciences, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the School of Nursing, and the Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation. The exhibition highlighted advanced technologies for elder care, engaging the public in meaningful demonstrations. Prof. Zheng Yong-ping, Director of RISA, also served as the moderator for the plenary session titled “The Role of AI and Robotics in Changing the Social Service and Healthcare Scene”. The general public had the opportunity to explore and learn about various gerontechnology and expressed interested in PolyU’s aged care products.

2024 Hong Kong Arthritis Day

The 2024 Hong Kong Arthritis Day was successfully held on November 9, 2024 at PolyU, organized by BME. RISA collaborated with the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub to showcase our research products, including the Sarcopenia Assessment System and Detachable Laser Indicator. Participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on live demonstrations of the showcased products.

PolyU Innotech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming 2024

The PolyU Innotech Open Day x Alumni Homecoming 2024 took place successfully on October 19, 2024. During the event, RISA showcased two innovative research projects aimed at enhancing elderly and rehabilitation care services through gerontechnology. The first project, the Smart Companion Robot, is designed to promote the gerontech application in the elderly & rehab care sector. This robot aims to enhance elderly care service. The second project, the Detachable Laser Indicator, seeks to revolute the elderly & rehab care services via gerontech. This technology is intended to enhance training effectiveness and improve the quality of life in older age. Participants at the event had the opportunity to engage with these products through hands-on live demonstrations conducted by Smart Ambassadors from the Jockey Club Smart Ageing Hub. This experience allowed attendees to see how these innovations can impact the lives of elderly individuals and those undergoing rehabilitation. Overall, the event highlighted the importance of gerontechnology in modern care services and showcased RISA's commitment to advancing these technologies for better health outcomes.

New Solutions for Old Problems: The Business of Caring for the Elderly

New Solutions for Old Problems: The Business of Caring for the Elderly In an interview organized by HKTDC, experts in Hong Kong's 'silver economy' sector expressed growing concerns about the challenges posed by the city's aging population, projected to rise from 1.45 million seniors in 2021 to 2.74 million by 2046. Professor Yongping Zheng, Director of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing at PolyU, emphasized the urgent need for both the private sector and government to collaborate in addressing these challenges, stating, “Tackling these challenges will require the private sector to seize the opportunities presented by Hong Kong’s aging population.” He highlighted the necessity for careful planning, as one-third of Hong Kong’s population will be over 65 years old, necessitating innovative solutions in various service industries. Zheng also pointed out the importance of developing scalable products and innovative business models to meet the unique needs of the elderly, while acknowledging the government's efforts to support social innovation in gerontechnology. For more information, please refer to original article

2024 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Inductees

Dr. Justina Liu, a distinguished member of RISA, has been inducted into the Sigma Nursing 2024 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame, and we are delighted to announce this prestigious accolade. Dr. Liu's unwavering dedication, expertise, and significant contributions to the field of nursing research have earned her this well-deserved recognition. Her commitment to advancing nursing knowledge and improving patient care is truly commendable. We take great pride in celebrating Dr. Liu's achievements and eagerly anticipate her continued success in her impactful work.   For more details, please visit https://www.sigmanursing.org/connect-engage/news-detail/2024/03/26/sigma-nursing-announces-2024-international-nurse-researcher-hall-of-fame-inductees.

RISA Symposium on Brain Ageing, Imaging and Stimulation

We are delighted to express our sincere gratitude to all the speakers and participants who contributed to the remarkable success of the 1st RISA symposium on Brain Ageing, Imaging, and Stimulation, which took place on March 13, 2024. The active engagement and insightful dialogue from the speakers and participants greatly enriched the event, establishing it as a significant milestone in the field. This symposium served not only as a showcase for the latest research and advancements but also as a catalyst for fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations. We are profoundly appreciative of the enthusiasm and expertise that the speakers and participants brought to the symposium. Their contributions are crucial in advancing our understanding of brain ageing and in the pursuit of innovative solutions. The connections and knowledge shared during this event have laid a strong foundation for future progress. Thank you to all the speakers and participants for making this symposium a memorable and impactful gathering. We look forward to welcoming you to our future events and continuing this vital dialogue.

Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2023

The Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2023, which took place from November 23 to 26, once again established itself as a premier event, drawing thousands of visitors keen to explore the intersection of technology and ageing. This year, the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) at PolyU proudly presented an exclusive showcase from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, highlighting the department's latest and most innovative contributions to elder care technology. At the RISA exhibition booth, the Department of Biomedical Engineering captivated the audience with advanced solutions designed to improve the lives of the elderly. The focused presentation allowed for in-depth discussions and provided a comprehensive view of the cutting-edge research and development efforts emanating from PolyU's talented team. The expo was a hub of activity, with academic staff, industry experts, and the general public all converging to discover the transformative potential of gerontechnology. The enthusiasm and engagement of the visitors were a testament to the growing interest and importance of smart ageing solutions in our society. We are optimistic that the connections made and the interest generated at the Gerontech and Innovation Expo cum Summit 2023 will lead to fruitful collaborations and will continue to propel RISA's vision for smart ageing forward. We extend our sincerest thanks to all the participants for their support and for contributing to the success of this year's event. We eagerly anticipate the innovations and advancements that will emerge as a result of this year's expo and look forward to welcoming everyone to future events.

Claudia J. Beverly Innovation Award

Dr Daphne CHEUNG, Member of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and the Mental Health Research Centre (MHRC), received the 2023 Claudia J. Beverly Innovation Award by the National Hartford Center of Gerontological Nursing Excellence (NHCGNE). The Award recognises outstanding innovative programmes and projects that have significant positive impact on the nursing care for older adults. Since 2008, Dr Cheung and her team have been developing and testing music interventions for older adults with cognitive impairment. The team worked with engineers, music therapists and users to develop the Standalone Therapeutic Music-with-Movement System, which integrates technology with conventional psychosocial intervention. The system is now being used in more than 50 care institutions in Hong Kong.

Health Future Challenge 2023

Dr Ivy ZHAO, Member of the Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA), was awarded the 1st Runner Up in the Health Future Challenge 2023 organised by the Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship Office and received Translational Research Grant from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences for her start-up project “A web-based game-like dual-task hearing-cognitive training system”. The project aims to develop a web-based, game-like, dual-task hearing-cognitive training system for older adults with hearing loss to enhance their hearing efficiency, cognitive functions and social engagement. Prof Zheng Yong Ping, Director of RISA, was also awarded the 1st Runner Up with project "ProRuka — Novel prosthetic hand controlled by wireless wearable ultrasound sensing". The project aims to develop a cutting-edge, lightweight, and affordable prosthetic hand with a novel and precise controlling system. Health Future Challenge is a start-up ideation competition for students, researchers, alumni and industrialists to team up and come up with health-tech ideas and business models.

World’s top 2% most-cited scientists

Congratulations to Ir Prof. Zheng Yong Ping, Director of RISA, Prof. Tao Xiao Ming, Prof. Wang Shi Yuan William, and Prof. Cao Jiannong, member of RISA, who have been recognized on the list of top 2% most-cited scientists internationally, list complied by Standford University in Oct2023.