The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Fu Hong Society (FHS) have jointly established Asia's first Centre for Inclusive Innovation, a milestone celebrated with an opening ceremony today (24 April) at the PolyU Industrial Centre. Supported by matching funds from the PolyU Faculty of Business and a generous donation from the SF Family Foundation Limited, the Centre is positioned to drive "Research, Innovation and Service Transformation". Translating the University's interdisciplinary research outcomes into real-world applications to benefit the social welfare sector, the Centre will launch pilot, validation and optimisation schemes in areas including rehabilitation technology and vocational training, with the aim of propelling Hong Kong to a leading role in advancing social inclusion in Asia.
As Asia's first Centre for Inclusive Innovation, the Centre is distinguished by the deep collaborative model between PolyU and FHS. Staff members and service users of FHS will actively participate in the research process, while PolyU and FHS have jointly contributed funding to establish the Centre, demonstrating close collaboration between the academic and social welfare sectors.
The ceremony was officiated by Mr HO Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government of the People's Republic of China. Witnessed by Dr Laura LO, Associate Vice President (Institutional Advancement) of PolyU and Dr IP Yan-ming, President of Fu Hong Society, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. LAI Kee-hung, Associate Dean (Academic Support) of the Faculty of Business, Interim Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics at PolyU, and Mr CHIEN Kwok-keung, Chairman of Fu Hong Society.
This collaboration signifies the joint vision of PolyU and FHS in fostering collaboration among industry, academia and research. By combining PolyU's research excellence with FHS's extensive frontline experience in community services, the collaboration aims to drive the translation of impactful research solutions into real-world settings, laying a solid foundation for the rehabilitation technology ecosystem in Asia. The signing ceremony was followed by an unveiling ceremony symbolising the official commencement of the Centre's operation.
During his speech, Mr Ho Kai-ming said, "In advancing the development of rehabilitation services in Hong Kong, PolyU and Fu Hong Society have always been our important partners. With the generous support of SF Family Foundation Limited and the PolyU Faculty of Business, I look forward to the Centre leveraging the strengths of various organisations to provide more targeted support for the diverse needs of persons with disabilities living in the community, while further alleviating the physical and emotional burden on their caregivers. The Government will continue to work closely with the social welfare sector, academia, the business sector and other stakeholders to foster innovation in rehabilitation services and build a caring and inclusive society together."
Dr Laura Lo noted, "PolyU is committed to fostering the deep integration of academia, industry and research. Through sustainable business models, we transform interdisciplinary research outcomes into innovative solutions that can be implemented over the long term for the benefit of society. With the support of matching funds from the PolyU Faculty of Business, we are providing the catalyst to bridge gaps in rehabilitation services, contributing PolyU expertise to the long-term development of Hong Kong's social welfare sector."
Dr Ip Yan-ming shared, "The Centre for Inclusive Innovation combines PolyU's professional research and technological expertise with Fu Hong Society's many years of frontline experience. It breaks away from the traditional one-way paradigm of 'receiving services', empowering persons with disabilities to become 'creators'. This not only addresses their genuine needs but also enables them to give back to society. It is about empowering them with not just self-reliance, but also dignity and a sense of achievement."
SF Family Foundation Limited believes that, by prioritising projects with clear social impact, charitable funding ensures innovation addresses public needs rather than purely commercial goals. Aligned with our national 15th Five-Year Plan, this support advances high-quality development, the innovation-driven development strategy, and inclusive and shared development, fostering research and rehabilitation solutions that benefit society broadly and sustainably.
Leveraging PolyU's interdisciplinary strengths in five inaugural research projects
The "PolyU–FHS Centre for Inclusive Innovation" goes beyond traditional vocational rehabilitation frameworks by implementing five interdisciplinary research projects in its initial phase. Drawing upon PolyU research strengths in business, healthcare, social sciences and engineering, these initiatives cover multiple forward-looking applications, including: the formulation of the Hong Kong Inclusive Technology Adoption Standard (HKITAS)—the City's first dedicated guidelines for non-government organisations to apply technology safely and efficiently; the research and development of personalised ophthalmic aids through 3D printing; the application of antibacterial surface technologies to develop antimicrobial 3D-printed accessories designed to enhance hygiene and safety in communal living environments; the pioneering of AI-enhanced swallowing assessment; and the development of an intelligent food preparation system to provide nutrient-optimised soft meals. These evidence-based application solutions are designed to precisely address service needs and enhance the quality of life for persons with disabilities.
The Centre's operation is built upon the synergy of four integrated core pillars. The mechanism begins with "Needs Co-creation", which closely connects service users, frontline staff and researchers to ensure that innovation is rooted in actual needs from the outset. This is followed by "Prototyping and Field Pilots", where research outcomes are refined within the FHS's real-world service settings through development, testing and continuous enhancement to ensure their technical feasibility for application. To maintain scientific rigour, the Centre employs "Cross-Disciplinary Research and Impact Evaluation", utilising data analysis and clinical evidence to measure improvements in users' work and life quality. Finally, the Centre focuses on "Standards Development and Knowledge Translation" by establishing industry benchmarks like HKITAS and knowledge sharing platforms to ensure these inclusive technology solutions can be scaled across the entire social service sector.
By combining clinical practice with applied technology, the PolyU–FHS Centre for Inclusive Innovation is dedicated to redefining the professional value of persons with disabilities. The Centre guides service users to transition from traditional OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) to participating in the research, development and production of OBM (Original Brand Manufacturing) products. The structured approach allows individuals with varying abilities to participate in high-value-added production, enhancing their capabilities and achieving the goal of long-term sustainable development.
The guests visited the exhibition highlighting PolyU research projects.
