EdUHK Organises Opening Ceremony for ‘The EdUHK SDG Living Laboratory @ Tai-po – Community Well-being’ Project in Promoting Elderly Health and Wellbeing
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held the opening ceremony for ‘The EdUHK SDG Living Laboratory @ Tai-po - Community Well-being’ (the Project) on June 7 at the District Council Secretariat of Tai Po District Office (TPDO). The ceremony highlighted the achievements of the Project over the past year in the Tai Po community. It also introduced new elements focusing on mental health and nutrition to promote the health and wellbeing of the elderly and support sustainable development in the community.
Guests in attendance included EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, Vice President (Research and Development) Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin, Ms Eunice Chan Hau-man, District Officer (Tai Po), as well as Tai Po District Council members, care teams representatives, and community organisation members.
In his welcoming remarks, EdUHK President John Lee Chi-Kin stated, “The recently published EdUHK Strategic Plan 2025-2031 has identified Contributing to Sustainable Development as one of our four key areas, reflecting our strong commitment to this cause. The launch of the ‘Sustainable Development Living Laboratory: Community Well-being’ project marks another significant milestone on our journey.” He also highlighted the University’s dedication to integrating sustainable development principles into teaching, research, campus management and community services, aiming to tackle societal challenges in environmental protection, social equity and economic development through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ms Eunice Chan Hau-man, District Officer (Tai Po), also commended EdUHK for its contributions to the community, noting that the ‘SDG Living Laboratory @ Tai-po - Community Well-being’ project, with a core focus on community health, demonstrates EdUHK’s commitment and social responsibility in promoting sustainable development. She expressed hope that this initiative would continue to deepen collaborations with local organisations, benefiting even more elderly residents.
In his speech, Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin explained that the Project focused on community health and well-being, and that it combined interdisciplinary academic research, knowledge transfer and community collaboration activities to implement a proof of concept to provide comprehensive health support for the elderly in the Tai Po community. While promoting sustainable development of the community, the Project also offers valuable experience for future community health projects. He also outlined the Project’s achievements over the past year, including hosting multiple physical activity workshops, conducting cognitive screenings for the elderly, as well as organising the One-Day Student Experiential Programme 2025 for Elders.
Under the Project, as of June 2025, EdUHK has organised an array of physical activity workshops, attracting nearly 300 elderly participants and providing health information on fitness components, exercise safety and tailored exercise plans for seniors. The project has also employed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Hong Kong version (HK-MoCA) across various community partnership points, conducting free-of-charge cognitive screenings for nearly 1,000 elders to facilitate early detection of cognitive impairment. Furthermore, One-Day Student Experiential Programme hosted at EdUHK Tai Po Campus in March received positive feedback, with seniors sampling campus life and revisiting the joy of learning.
During the opening ceremony, EdUHK officially announced the new elements focusing on mental health and nutrition within the Project. Dr Jiang Da, Associate Professor from the Department of Special Education and Counselling at EdUHK, introduced upcoming mental health activities, including screenings to help identify emotional issues early and workshops aimed at enhancing well-being through teaching emotional management techniques and stress coping solutions.
Additionally, Dr Steve Mung Wai-yin, Assistant Professor from the Knowledge Transfer Sub-Office of the Research Development Office at EdUHK, presented an innovative electronic nutrition monitoring system that will assist elderly individuals in recording and analysing their dietary habits, providing personalised nutrition advice, and promoting the importance of a balanced diet.
EdUHK firmly believes that close collaboration with community partners is key to the project’s success. Currently, the initiative has established long-term partnerships with 12 district councillors, nine care teams and five community organisations. Dr Peggy Or Pui-lai, the project coordinator and Assistant Professor from the Department of Health and Physical Education at EdUHK, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community partners, particularly C&MA Tai Po Alliance Church, Tai Po Baptist Church Social Services, Tai Po Rural Committee, The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, and The Salvation Army Tai Po Integrated Services for their unwavering support this year. “We look forward to working with more organisations to join hands in creating a friendly community,” she added.
Looking ahead, EdUHK will continue to inject positivity through this initiative, promoting wellbeing and inspiring active participation in future projects, collectively contributing to the creation of a healthier and more sustainable community.
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EdUHK Organises Opening Ceremony for ‘The EdUHK SDG Living Laboratory @ Tai-po – Community Well-being’ Project in Promoting Elderly Health and Well-being
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