HKUST appointed by WHO to lead regional consortium on digital health innovation

The Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (APO) recently appointed The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) as lead institution of a regional research consortium on digital health innovation. Made through a competitive process, this appointment underscores HKUST’s commitment to advancing policy research on the theme of “Use of Digital Health Technologies and Data to Enhance Health System Outcomes.”

The consortium will commence in 2025 and operate for an initial duration of five years. Housed under the Regional Office of the Western Pacific of the World Health Organization (WHO), the APO is a collaborative partnership of governments, international agencies, foundations, and researchers that promotes evidence-informed health system policy regionally and in all countries in the Asia Pacific region. By collaborating with member institutions, the APO aims to synthesize and disseminate findings that inform policy decisions and improve health outcomes.

Alex Jingwei He, Associate Professor of the Division of Public Policy and Acting Director of the Institute for Public Policy, is the Principal Investigator of the consortium. Prof He stated: “We are honored to lead this consortium. Our collaboration will embark on interdisciplinary research that synthesizes the intersection of health, technological innovation, and public policy. We look forward to contributing to evidence-based health policy making and innovation in this region”.

In addition to HKUST, the consortium includes St. Luke’s International University in Japan (Co-investigator: Dr Haruka Sakamoto), Monash University Malaysia (Co-investigator: Prof Pei Lee Teh), and Southern University of Science & Technology in China (Co-investigator: Dr Yuankun Luo). Together, these institutions will support the APO’s agenda by conducting research and engaging in activities aligned with its objectives.

Key objectives of the consortium 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.

This initiative reinforces HKUST’s leadership in health technology research and its dedication to improving health outcomes through evidence-based policies. The consortium aims to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration, ultimately enhancing health systems across the Asia Pacific region.