27 26 HKUST Annual Report 2020-2021 CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES that can provide a better quality of life for the elderly as well as promote healthy aging in Hong Kong. The partnership combines the practical knowledge of the social service group with HKUST expertise and solution-building to address the everyday challenges facing elderly people and their carers. Projects include: automated computer vision technologies and video analytics to recognize early signs of certain mental or physical diseases; a virtual therapist platform to detect negative emotions to allow early intervention for older people; autonomous guided vehicular platforms that can assist with moving seniors in wheelchairs in healthcare centers; a water disinfection device that retains most of the nutritional value; improved healthcare operations using optimization modeling; and genetic screening to identify people at risk of dementia. ADVANCING ECO-WELLNESS Building Air Quality Awareness The Inst i tute for the Envi ronment team behind the Personalised Real-Time Air Quality Informatics System for Exposure – Hong Kong (PRAISE-HK), and its related app, continued to boost community interest in managing and reducing exposure to air pollution. The leading-edge Students, faculty, and alumni stepped up their ideas and practical impact in the community and beyond to tackle social issues, better people’s lives, and catalyze sustainable change app provides real-time air quality information down to street level, enabling people to make health-informed decisions about their daily routines and commuting choices. Total app downloads have now topped 7,000, with team members reaching out to around 2,000 people over the year. The Hong Kong Red Cross also became a PRAISE-HK strategic partner, including air pollution in its “definition list of disasters to human beings” and integrating PRAISE-HK information into its own disaster and preparedness app. Tackling Regional Ozone At the regional level, an environment and sustainability research team has been conducting the advance work for a three-year project, in partnership with the HKSAR Government, aimed at monitoring regional ozone pollution in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The project involves a groundbreaking cross-border study to assist evidence-based policymaking to improve air quality. (See also p.25) IMPROVING LIVES Changemakers Add to Social Good HKUST Connect, the University-wide flagship community service platform, reshaped its activities in 2020-21, launching the Changemaker Pathway to encourage students to create positive change in the community. Over 525 participants teamed up during the program to stretch their own knowledge, skills, and collaborative abilities to develop solutions to real-world needs in relation to the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In April 2021, 148 students across years and disciplines formed over 40 teams to take part in the Connect for Change ideas competition, focusing in particular on solutions for healthy lives, reduction of inequalities, and climate action. Winning concepts, including biodegradable cutlery, a mobile app to promote sustainable eating, and interactive channels helping raise awareness on sexual harassment and assault, received funding and assistance in connecting up with NGOs to implement their ideas. The contest received community support from the Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association and Sustainable Development Solutions Network Hong Kong. Elevating Seniors’ Quality of Life HKUST’s Center for Aging Science partnered with Haven of Hope Christian Service, a non-governmental philanthropic organization, to apply research findings and innovations CONNECTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
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