PolyU School of Nursing co-hosts Sigma Asia Regional Conference 2025, bringing together experts from 19 countries and regions to advance digital health and AI in nursing
5 Dec 2025
PolyU School of Nursing co-hosts the Sigma Asia Regional Conference 2025. Distinguished guests at the opening ceremony included Prof. David Shum, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, and Chair Professor of Neuropsychology (front row, 6th from left); Prof. Janelle Yorke, Co-Chair of the Conference, Vice President of Pi lota At-Large Chapter, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Global STEM Professor, Head of the PolyU School of Nursing, Angel S.P. Chan Lau Professor in Health and Longevity, and Chair Professor of Nursing (front row, 5th from right); Prof. Janet Wong, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (front row, 5th from the left); Prof. Sok Ying Liaw, Professor and Head of the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (front row, 3rd from the left); Prof. Michael Joseph Dino, Director of Research Development and Innovation at Our Lady of Fatima University, Philippines (front row, 2nd from the right); Prof. Younhee Kang, Dean of the College of Nursing at Ewha Womans University, South Korea (front row, 3rd from right); Dr Huyen Thi Hoa Nguyen, Director of the Nursing Program at VinUniversity, Vietnam (front row, 2nd from the left) and the Conference Organizing Committee Chairs.
Prof. David Shum stated that rapid technological advances were transforming healthcare and social services and necessitated a parallel evolution in the education and training of healthcare and social care professionals.
Prof. Janelle Yorke stated that the PolyU School of Nursing was committed to leveraging emerging technologies to advance nursing education, research and practice.
Prof. Janet Wong pointed out that the Conference gathered nursing educators, researchers and practitioners in the region to discuss key trends in the application of emerging technologies in healthcare.
The Sigma Asia Regional Conference 2025 brought together over 550 nursing practitioners, researchers and scholars from 19 countries and regions.
Global population ageing and the rising number of patients with chronic diseases are placing greater strain on healthcare systems; advances in digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) are creating new opportunities for the nursing profession. The Pi lota At-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma), led by the School of Nursing at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and including the nursing schools of five other higher education institutions in Hong Kong, has joined forces with Sigma Asia to host the Sigma Asia Regional Conference 2025 on 5 and 6 December. Themed “Digital Health and AI in Nursing: Transforming Care Through Innovation”, the Conference brings together over 550 nursing practitioners, researchers and scholars from 19 countries and regions.
In his welcoming address, Prof. David SHUM, Dean of the PolyU Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Yeung Tsang Wing Yee and Tsang Wing Hing Professor in Neuropsychology, and Chair Professor of Neuropsychology, stated, “Rapid technological advances are transforming healthcare and social services and necessitate a parallel evolution in the education and training of healthcare and social care professionals. To come up with innovative and impactful projects, we need to be creative and bold, also, interdisciplinary collaborations, hard work and resilience are necessary. Finally, we need support from the government, industry and the community.”
Prof. Janelle YORKE, Co-Chair of the Conference, Vice President of Pi lota At-Large Chapter, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Global STEM Professor, Head of the PolyU School of Nursing, Angel S.P. Chan Lau Professor in Health and Longevity, and Chair Professor of Nursing, said, “The PolyU School of Nursing is committed to leveraging emerging technologies to advance nursing education, research and practice. Hosting this conference further demonstrates the dedication of the School and the Pi Iota At-Large Chapter to remaining at the forefront of the nursing profession and leading industry development.”
Prof. Janet WONG, Co-Chair of the Conference, former President of Pi lota At-Large Chapter, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, said, “This conference gathers nursing educators, researchers and practitioners in the region to discuss key trends in the application of emerging technologies in healthcare. It also provides an opportunity to further consolidate and expand our networks with other chapters and regional bodies.”
The Conference features multiple keynote speakers: Prof. Sok Ying LIAW, Professor and Head of the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore; Prof. Michael Joseph DINO, Director of Research Development and Innovation at Our Lady of Fatima University, Philippines; Prof. Younhee KANG, Dean of the College of Nursing at Ewha Womans University, South Korea; Dr Kathleen MCGROW, Chief Nursing Innovation Officer at Microsoft; Prof. Zhiwen WANG, Professor of the School of Nursing at Peking University; and Dr Huyen Thi Hoa NGUYEN, Director of the Nursing Program at VinUniversity, Vietnam. Their sessions highlight key trends and issues related to emerging technologies and explore their impacts on nursing practice and workforce, healthcare education and research.
Sigma is dedicated to cultivating professional nursing communities worldwide and advancing nursing knowledge, teaching and service through education, research and practice. The Pi Iota Chapter was founded by the PolyU School of Nursing in 2000. It evolved to become an At-large Chapter in 2021, which comprises the six nursing schools from higher education institutions in Hong Kong: PolyU School of Nursing; the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Hong Kong Metropolitan University; The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; the School of Nursing, LKS Faculty of Medicine at The University of Hong Kong; the School of Nursing at Tung Wah College; and the Division of Nursing Education at the School of Continuing Education of Hong Kong Baptist University.
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