EdUHK Hosts "Elderly One-Day University Student Experiential Programme 2026" in Support of UN Sustainable Development Goals
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) hosted the “Elderly One-Day University Student Experiential Programme 2026” on 27 June, welcoming 40 elderly participants from Tai Po District to experience university life through immersive experiences. The programme featured a campus tour, classes on innovative technology, and a closing quiz, enabling participants to enjoy the pleasure of learning first-hand.
Jointly organised by EdUHK, the Tai Po District Yee Fu Sub-district Care Team and Chung Ting Sub-district Care Team, with support from the Offices of District Council Members Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung and Mr Wu Cheuk-him, the initiative forms part of EdUHK SDG Living Lab @ Tai Po – Community Well-being (Living Lab). The programme aims to enhance the health of the elderly, promote lifelong learning, and foster community inclusion and resilience, in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
In his remarks, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK, said, “EdUHK has in recent years actively promoted interdisciplinary development, identifying educational technology, artificial intelligence, and community health and well-being as core directions for the future. These strategies not only strengthen EdUHK’s academic advantages but also nurture talents in Hong Kong with global vision and innovative capabilities. This programme fully demonstrates the power of collaboration among government, university, and community, providing continuous learning opportunities for the elderly in Tai Po District while highlighting the University’s commitment to community inclusion and sustainable development. Going forward, EdUHK will continue to introduce diversified learning models, enabling the elderly to benefit in both knowledge and health.”
Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Vice-President (Research and Development) of EdUHK, added, “Older adults form an invaluable foundation of our society. Their wisdom and experience command our honour and respect. Through the EdUHK SDG Living Lab, we have successfully assisted over 1,700 elderly residents in Tai Po in completing cognitive screenings. The Living Lab’s technology and exercise workshops have also provided empirical data and support to help the community address ageing challenges. Today’s programme has successfully transformed the concept of ‘lifelong learning’ into actionable practice. We will continue to enhance the wellbeing of the elderly through health screenings and fitness workshops, in order to build a more resilient community for Hong Kong.”
On the day of the programme, participants visited University Research Facility of Human Behavioral Neuroscience and Occupational Therapy Education & Research Centre at EdUHK to learn how modern medical technology supports independent living. In an interactive AI class, they explored everyday applications of artificial intelligence and learned about EdUHK’s nutrition monitoring system. In a robotics class, the elderly operated robots themselves, experiencing the potential of smart technology. The day concluded with a quiz to showcase their learning outcome.
The programme ended with a graduation ceremony, where participants donned graduation gowns, received certificates, took commemorative photos, and relived youthful moments while celebrating their achievement. Guests included Ms May Chan Wing-shiu, Permanent Secretary for Education; Mr Johnny Kwok Chun-chai, Assistant District Officer (Tai Po); Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung, EdUHK Council Member and Tai Po District Councillor; Professor John Lee Chi-Kin; Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin; and Professor Bill Yeung Chi-ho, EdUHK Dean of Students.
In her speech, Ms May Chan Wing-shiu, commended the elderly participants for demonstrating the spirit of lifelong learning through their concrete actions, proving that as long as one maintains a spirit of exploration for new knowledge, one can keep pace with the times regardless of age. She also affirmed that this programme has turned the campus into a platform for promoting social inclusion, where university students and the elderly can learn together and support each other." Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung expressed pride in EdUHK’s campus becoming a vibrant lifelong learning hub for local residents, praising the University’s efforts to bridge academia and the public.
At the ceremony, 84‑year‑old Ms Cheung and Mr Liu shared their joy. For the first time in their lives, they donned the mortarboard and received a graduation certificate of their own. In the past, they had only accompanied their children to such occasions; stepping onto the stage themselves was deeply meaningful and profoundly moving. They expressed gratitude to the EdUHK for their thoughtful support throughout, and to the University for offering this rare opportunity, which enabled them to fulfil a long‑cherished aspiration.
They offered heartfelt thanks to the EdUHK students who had accompanied them with care throughout the event, and to the University for creating this unique opportunity. For both, it was more than a ceremony—it was the fulfillment of a long‑cherished dream of university graduation.
The inaugural Programme was held last year, attracting over 30 elderly participants from Tai Po and receiving support from district councillors, care teams, and community organisations. Building on this success, EdUHK will continue to promote community education and health initiatives, expanding the programme’s impact in the years ahead.
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EdUHK Hosts "Elderly One-Day University Student Experiential Programme 2026" in Support of UN Sustainable Development Goals
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