Having joined the J.C.DISI family over a year ago, I have had the privilege of collaborating with our team, various departments at PolyU, and partners from all sectors on the journey of social innovation. It is an honour to step into the role of Interim Director in December 2025, building upon the strong foundation established by my predecessor, Prof. LING Kar-kan, as we embark on new chapters together.
Founded in 2012, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation (J.C.DISI) is Asia's first university-led design institute dedicated to advancing social innovation through a systematic approach. It reflects PolyU's commitment to fostering long-term partnerships within the community. For over a decade, we have remained steadfast in our founding mission: to drive systemic change through social innovation. Notably, long before “interdisciplinarity” became a buzzword, we recognised through practical experience that genuine social innovation requires transcending disciplinary boundaries to unite diverse wisdom and perspectives.
An Exploration: From "People-Centred" to "Life-Centred"
Over the past year, I have realised how society's understanding of inclusivity and integration is evolving. Observing seniors rediscovering their zest for life through pet companionship and witnessing children show empathy with furry friends in community parks, lead me to conclude that we must shift from a "human-centred" to a "life-centred" design thinking.
“Life-centred” approaches go beyond humans and animals to include all living beings and the environment—such as trees, rivers, soil, air, and entire ecosystems. This perspective is especially crucial for the development of the Northern Metropolis. How can we protect wetland ecosystems while pursuing urban development? How can new constructions coexist harmoniously with nature? How can residents cultivate deep connections with the land? These are questions we must address collectively.
Therefore, we advocate for advancing the concept of “Age-friendly” to “All-age Paw+” communities. Imagine a truly welcoming environment where visually impaired individuals with guide dogs, young parents with strollers, and seniors walking their pets can comfortably share the same space, enjoying tree-lined pathways and natural landscapes filled with nesting birds. This is the kind of community we envision—one that transcends generations, embraces all species, and coexists harmoniously with nature.
“SoInno for Good” Strategic Framework
Recently, I read the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's "Technology and Innovation Report 2025," and one sentence particularly resonated with me: “The real gap lies not in scale, but in talent structure.” While Hong Kong is home to many outstanding “Creators”, what we need even more are “Thinkers” who are willing to engage in deep reflection and collaborative efforts.
In light of the rapid advancements in the AI era, we observe university students adeptly utilising various AI tools, while many seniors, grassroots families, and digitally vulnerable groups continue to struggle on the other side of the digital divide. This gap is exactly where we can make a difference. Moving forward, we will leverage our core strategy, “SoInno for Good,” to harness the power of innovation for social good:
- TECH For Good — We promote data-driven social innovation and use AI analytics tools to provide evidence-based support for policy advocacy, helping governments and institutions make informed decisions. Additionally, our youth tech incubation programme nurtures a new generation of social entrepreneurs focused on developing innovative solutions to digital literacy challenges.
- EDUCATION For Good — From primary and secondary school to university, we cultivate students' empathy, creative thinking, and collaborative skills. True education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing the correct moral values.
- DESIGN/SERVICE For Good — Rethinking public design and services from a “Life-centred” perspective.
- AGING For Good — The wisdom and experience of our elders are invaluable assets to society. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where they can continue to engage and contribute.
- CARE For Good — Building a social network of mutual care, extending from individuals to communities, and from human connections to the relationship between people and nature.
- COMMUNITY For Good — Communities are laboratories for social innovation. We co-design, co-experiment, and co-learn with our community partners.
In the coming five years, we will advocate for the "Better Northern Metropolis SoInno Actions," collaborating with diverse stakeholders to establish a shared identity and values for Northern Metropolis. Our goal is to leverage technology to preserve culture and ecology while exploring regenerative economic models. We envision Northern Metropolis as a vibrant hub of stories, culture, and vitality—an international metropolis where community, industry, cultural heritage, and nature coexist harmoniously, blending tradition with innovation.
Join Us on This Journey
Social innovation thrives on collective effort. Whether you are a government decision-maker, corporate executive, academic, non-profit or faith-based representative, community member, or student passionate about social innovation, we seek to engage in conversation, collaboration, and co-creation with you.
The road ahead is long, but as we walk hand in hand, embrace uncertainty, and dare to experiment, we can forge a more inclusive, compassionate, and sustainable future for Hong Kong. Let us unite to build a better home, driven by "SoInno for Good" and guided by a "Life-Centered" perspective.
I look forward to our journey together.
February 2026
