Past Events

Ancient wisdom meets modern science: Prof. CHE Chun-tao highlights evidence-based Chinese medicine in elderly care

Prof. CHE Chun-tao of the University of Illinois Chicago, USA, delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “Chinese Medicines and Geriatric Health – A Research Perspective” on 14 January 2026. The event drew around 90 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 15,850 across various social media platforms.

Revolutionising sustainable distributed energy: Prof. WANG Zhonglin’s Distinguished Lecture on TENGs

On 7 January 2026, Prof. WANG Zhonglin, Director of Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) for sustainable energy and sensing”. The event drew a full house at the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre, with over 240 in-person participants, and reached an impressive online audience of more than 16,600 across social media platforms.

When physics meets biology: Prof. Yeomans, Fellow of the Royal Society, unravels how mechanical forces sculpt tissue shape

Prof. Julia M. YEOMANS of the University of Oxford, UK, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Active Matter meets mechanobiology: Evading the decay to equilibrium” on 18 December 2025. The event drew over 70 in-person participants and an online audience exceeding 15,500 across various social media platforms.

Harnessing sensors and AI for sustainable urban futures: Insights from Prof. Banthia’s distinguished lecture

Prof. Nemkumar BANTHIA of The University of British Columbia, Canada, delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Toward Carbon-Neutral Cities: Sensors and Cyber-Physical Networks for Green Infrastructure” on 17 December 2025. The event attracted over 90 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 17,900 across various social media platforms.

Harvard expert Prof. John D. Spengler discusses climate crisis and cooling innovations at PAIR Seminar

On 9 December 2025, Prof. John D. SPENGLER from Harvard University delivered a PAIR Seminar titled “If you think it is hot now – just wait a few years”. The seminar explored innovative approaches to cooling neighbourhoods, saving lives, and strengthening local economies. The event attracted over 70 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,000 across various social media platforms.

RIQT: Quantum HK 2025

As a pivotal hub fostering international research collaboration between the Greater Bay Area and the rest of the world, Hong Kong serves as a unique intermediary in driving the innovation and translation of quantum technologies. The “International Conference on Quantum Technology 2025” (Quantum HK 2025), hosted by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), has recently concluded, having attracted more than 200 experts, scholars, researchers and industry leaders. The Conference fostered in-depth discussion on cutting-edge breakthroughs and future developments in quantum technologies, further expanding the breadth and depth of academic exchange and academia-industry collaboration. The event’s co-organisers were The University of Hong Kong (HKU), The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), the Physical Society of Hong Kong, and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre.

The 1st World Congress on Sports Science and Technology (WCSST 2025)

The 1st World Congress on Sports Science and Technology (WCSST) took place on 29 November - 2 December 2025 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

The 1st International Symposium on Smart•HAPPI Ageing: Healthy, Active, Positive, Prepared, and Independent

Research Institute for Smart Ageing (RISA) and the Department of Biomedical Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University jointly hosted The 1st International Symposium on Smart•HAPPI Ageing: Healthy, Active, Positive, Prepared, and Independent on 28 November 2025 to advance the field of smart and healthy ageing. The event drew enthusiastic participation from leading academics, industry professionals, and experts worldwide, highlighting the growing global interest and commitment to smart ageing initiatives.

Gerontech for smart ageing: how AI-powered assistive technology empowers ageing-in-place and elderly care

At the PAIR Seminar on 26 November 2025, Prof. Alex MIHAILIDIS from the University of Toronto shared his latest tech-enabled rehabilitation projects at the AgeTech Futures Institute (AgeTech). His presentation, titled “Supporting and rehabilitating older adults through AgeTech: from prevention to personalised care” explored how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) drive elderly care and rehabilitation services to go beyond the institution-based, recovery-focused model and move towards home-based, personalised care, while also providing support to caregivers and alleviating their burden. The seminar attracted over 110 in-person participants and an online audience of more than 13,000 across various social media platforms.

Conformal bioelectronic interfaces for enhanced human–machine interaction: Prof. CHEN Xiaodong of NTU delivers PAIR Distinguished Lecture

Prof. CHEN Xiaodong of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore delivered a PAIR Distinguished Lecture titled “Conformal Bioelectronic Interface” on 24 November 2025 at PolyU. The event attracted over 80 in-person participants and an online audience of over 15,300 across various social media platforms.