HKUST Appointed by WHO to Lead Regional Consortium on Digital Health Innovation

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has been appointed by the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (APO), a collaborative partnership hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Regional Office for the Western Pacific, to spearhead a regional research consortium focused on digital health innovation. This prestigious appointment, secured through a competitive process, underscores HKUST’s global leadership in policy research under the theme “Leveraging Digital Health Technologies and Data to Strengthen Health System Outcomes.”

Led by Prof. Alex HE Jingwei, Acting Director of HKUST’s Institute for Public Policy and Principal Investigator of the Consortium, the initiative brings together leading institutions across the Asia Pacific. Co-investigators include Dr. Haruka SAKAMOTO from St. Luke’s International University in Japan, Prof. PEI Lee Teh of Monash University Malaysia, and Dr. Yuankun LUO from Southern University of Science and Technology in China.

Commencing in 2025, the five-year consortium will conduct interdisciplinary research addressing the challenges of aging population in the Asia-Pacific region. By integrating expertise in public health, engineering, health sciences, and public policy, the consortium aims to foster innovative solutions to enhance health and social care systems. Key objectives include: 

• Conducting research and engaging in health systems activities aligned with the APO’s agenda.

• Collaborating with the APO Secretariat and policymakers to identify key issues, synthesize findings, and disseminate evidence.

• Providing technical support and leadership to build local capacity for health systems research.

• Co-developing grant applications in partnership with the APO Secretariat.

Addressing Regional Health Challenges

Prof. He, also an associate professor in HKUST’s Division of Public Policy, said, “We are honored to lead this transformative consortium. Digital health innovation is key to creating a more efficient, effective, and patient-centered healthcare system. By integrating health, technological innovation, and public policy through interdisciplinary research, we aim to pioneer evidence-based solutions with our partners to strengthen health systems and improve outcomes across the Asia-Pacific region.” 

The APO under WHO is a collaborative partnership that includes the Asian Development Bank, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hong Kong SAR, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the Pacific Community, the World Bank, and the WHO’s Western Pacific and South-East Asia Regional Offices. 

Global Thought Leadership at Summer Davos

In addition to his leadership of the Consortium, Prof. He was invited to speak at the World Economic Forum’s Summer Davos in Tianjin, China. He addressed how technology and investment in the care economy and social infrastructure can drive inclusive prosperity amid the region’s shifting demographics. Other representatives from HKUST include Dr. Shin Cheul KIM, Associate Vice-President for Research and Development (Knowledge Transfer), and Prof. SU Hui, Chair Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Global STEM Professor.

These engagements exemplify HKUST's growing impact on global health policy discussions and social welfare innovation.