Project Reference No.: UGC/IDS(R)11/23
Project Title: Children and Youth Research Centre (Caritas)
Abstract
Children and youth are a sizable group in Hong Kong. They do not live in isolation but are affected by various personal factors and social systems. Due to the interdependent nature of the systems and the depth and breadth of the factors involved, we cannot analyse them in isolation through one single research project, but require a wide range of projects to address the multifaceted issues under the coordination of a research centre. Against this backdrop, the Children and Youth Research Centre at the Caritas Institute of Higher Education serves as a focal point for dialogue, consultation, training, education, research and international cooperation. The Centre aims to achieve the following objectives: (1) identify the risk and protective factors in relation to children and youth development and tackle them through positive education, career development, community involvement, counselling and family support; (2) support children and youth in exercising greater control over their lives, handling the challenges they face and promoting their social well-being in a responsible way; (3) strengthen their resilience against radical ideologies and develop their rational thinking to address the potential harm done to themselves and society; and (4) evaluate and improve current children and youth work practices and strategies, enhance their service impacts, and if necessary, revamp the current service models. In the long run, the Centre will benefit children, youth, family, service providers, practitioners, and professionals, and assist the government and NGOs in making informed policy and practice decisions.
Project Reference No.: UGC/IDS(R)14/23
Project Title: Establishment of GILT Research Centre (Globalisation, Internationalisation, Localisation and Translation) (HSUHK)
Abstract
The GILT industry encompasses the four key, interconnected pillars: globalisation, internationalisation, localisation, and translation. It plays an essential role in promoting cross-regional business activities, adapting brands, products, and services to suit various markets and transcending language and cultural barriers. In the post-pandemic era, the importance of GILT has grown significantly. Beyond the impact of COVID-19 and its associated prevention measures, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in recent years has profoundly transformed our modes of work and communication. This shift has urged companies to reassess their GILT strategies and cross-regional expansion efforts, with a view to positioning themselves to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the new normal.
In light of this, we establish the Research Centre for GILT, the first centre of its kind in Hong Kong. The Centre aims to (1) deepen the understanding of GILT by promoting research in strategic areas; (2) develop and share electronic tools and resources for GILT research; (3) enhance the teaching and learning of GILT; (4) organise activities that showcase GILT research findings and their applications; and (5) facilitate collaboration between academia and the GILT industry.
In achieving these objectives, the Centre will promote research under three strategic themes: “GILT of Digital Media”, “Technology for GILT” and “GILT in Hong Kong and Beyond”. We will also develop a web-based research hub that provides a wide range of research tools and resources. In addition, we will organise research events such as seminars, workshops, and conferences, and involve the industry in these events to explore opportunities for collaborative research projects.
The Centre is dedicated to serving a wide range of stakeholders, including academic and research staff, students, industry professionals, and the broader community. In doing so, we strive to deepen the understanding of the dynamic and fascinating world of GILT. Our findings have the potential to facilitate the growth of the GILT industry, contributing to the long-term development of Hong Kong and Mainland China.
Project Reference No.: UGC/IDS(R)16/23
Project Title: Establishment of an Exergaming Research Centre (ERC) for Healthy Aging (HKMU)
Abstract
In the era of an aging population, there is a growing demand for government and private health care services. The older adult population is projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, representing 22% of the global population. By 2032, it is anticipated that the proportion of Hong Kong’s older adults will rise to 25%. Faced with an aging population, the United Nations has reiterated the need to improve the health of elderly individuals, calling for the creation of a favorable environment and the realisation of their great potential to contribute to society. The goal is for older adults to be active members of the society who make valuable contributions, rather than seen as a burden on society and the healthcare systems.
Our project proposes to build a scientific research infrastructure, named Exergaming Research Centre (ERC), which will incubate gamified intervention using gerontechnology to improve the physical health, cognitive abilities, and emotional health of older adults. Exergaming research has emerged in the recent decade but scientific evidence via clinical outcomes evaluation is lacking. The ERC consists of an exergaming development team, an implementation science team and an evaluation team for providing a multidisciplinary platform that connects existing and emerging technologies to the physical exercises for healthy aging. It will function as a multidisciplinary hub that synergises expertise across disciplines, executing the development strategy of scientific research, nurturing of local talents, interdisciplinary building across biomedicine, and working closely with social services. Specifically, ERC will (1) facilitate research development and provision of research support capacities in exergaming, especially supporting young and mid-career researchers; (2) foster industry-academia collaborations and technology creation in exergaming; and (3) create an infrastructure to implement evidence-based exergaming programmes.
Based on the University’s track record in augmented reality (AR)-facilitated and virtual reality (VR)-facilitated health promotion and education projects and developed strategic research area of gerontechnology, the ERC will further expand the existing domain knowledge to incorporate gamified learning to offer incentives for motivating older adults to better self-manage their physical, cognitive, and emotional health for health aging. In order to ensure the rigorous evaluation of the interventions’ effectiveness and investigate the underlying mechanisms on how they work, a Translational Research Laboratory with different equipment will also be built so that clinical neurological assessments, biomechanical measurements and biological parameter tests can be performed. With the high quality evidence, we will further apply to the elderly homes to evaluate effectiveness of the exergaming programmes and build knowledge of implementation science in exergaming research.
To build a high-performance ERC, three teams including exergame development, evaluation and implementation science, will work on a specific project. A prototype for a proposed mixed reality-based Tai Chi exergaming programme will be developed. Pilot test comparing the exergaming programme and traditional Tai Chi exercise will be undertaken in 152 older adults living in elderly homes for feasibility, acceptance and preliminary efficacy in enhancing older adults’ physical performance, cognitive functioning and emotional well-being. Also, potential moderators or mediators that promote effective implementation of exergames will be investigated. With scientific evaluation results, we will further incorporate the evidence-based practice to other elderly homes for contributing and advancing the knowledge of implementation science in the field of exergaming and gerontechnology.
Project Reference No.: UGC/IDS(R)17/23
Project Title: Establishment of a Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health (TWC)
Abstract
Tung Wah College (TWC) was established in 2010 by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) as a self-financing tertiary education institution that provides high-quality medical and healthcare education in respond to community needs. In line with the TWC’s 5-year strategic research plan and the institutional strength on healthcare-focused research, TWC will establish a Translational Research Centre for Digital Mental Health (TRC-DMH), with the vision of cultivating and enhancing research expertise, competency, capacity, and infrastructure of TWC to conduct interdisciplinary and innovative translational research on digital mental health to ensure that the research deliverables can benefit and improve the mental health and well-being of the community.
The TRC-DMH will bring together academics, industry partners, and students from medical and health sciences, nursing, allied health, applied gerontology, health informatics, healthcare education, and psychology to conduct translational research to optimize applications of emerging digital technologies in mental health interventions, services and care as well as to promote, educate and disseminate the proper utilization and potentials of digital mental health to various stakeholders.
The establishment of the TRC-DMH will be based on the mental health translational research model and the tier model of mental health interventions. Existing literatures have shown that digital mental health interventions are more robust and appropriate as a preventive measure for people who have an increased risk of developing mental illness, or who are already experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness. Hence, based on the mental health tier model, the target groups of TRC-DMH will focus on people with mild and moderate mental health symptoms who may be monitored and reassured, people/families whose health and livelihoods are affected, and the general population with increasing mental health risks.
There are THREE key objectives for establishing the TRC-DMH: 1) Strengthening the research capacity and competency of TWC’s faculty, research staff, and students in conducting translational research on digital mental health; 2) Synergizing interdisciplinary collaboration to plan and develop translational research to enhance digital mental health preventive services, health professional training, and community education; and 3) Building a translational research platform and network to demonstrate the social impacts of our interdisciplinary research as well as to promote and advocate the best uses of digital mental health to various stakeholders.
The TRC-DMH will serve as an interdisciplinary translational research platform to promote and teach translational research on digital mental health as well as to enhance academic and industry partners’ exchanges and collaborations via workshops, seminars, professional training programmes and an international conference. The interdisciplinary group of researchers, practitioners and students from various disciplines, united by a common goal: To review, evaluate, investigate, and improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and efficacy of digital mental health trainings, applications, assessments, interventions, and practices to reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors to improve mental health and well-being of the community.
By pursuing the common goal, TRC-DMH will be able to: 1) Promote best practices of DMH (that focus on prevention and promotion in mental health); 2) Empower translational research via building capacity in the applications and proper utilization of evidence-based DMH that support practices, services and education; and 3) Serve as a hub for synergizing interprofessional & interinstitutional collaboration to enhance DMH preventive services across the lifespan and applicable to real-world settings.
The TRC-DMH is a unique and impactful initiative that combines cutting-edge DMH practices, translational research, interprofessional collaboration and a commitment to inclusivity. By supporting the TRC-DMH, we will be investing in a transformative effort that has the potential to revolutionize mental health care, improve outcomes, and positively impact diverse public members.