Activities

The ASPIRE Forum, the annual general meeting of the ASPIRE League, was hosted by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and held from July 6 to 10 at the NTU campus.

The symposium was held under the theme “Active Aging: Interdisciplinary Solutions for Longevity and Wellbeing.” Leading researchers from each member university and other partner institutions delivered presentations on this theme.

“Building Integrated Care Systems for Older Adults: Insights from China”
Asst. Prof. Wang Sijiu, Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University

“Epigenetic Basis of Aging and Rejuvenation”
Asst. Prof. Jae-Hyun Yang, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

“Bat-inspired New Strategies For Healthy Aging”
Asst. Prof. Matae Ahn, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU

“From Longevity to Belonging: Building Interdisciplinary Ecosystem for Active and Meaningful Ageing”
Asst. Prof. Anamarija Kejžar, Faculty of Social Work, University of Ljubljana, EUTOPIA

“Adapting AI and Robotics to Improve Geriatric Care and Care Transitions”
Prof. Bertram Shi, Dean of HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

“Human-centered AI and Aging Technologies”
Prof. Miao Chun Yan, Associate Vice President (Capability Building), NTU

“User-centered Design for Enhancing Resilience in Older Adults”
Prof. Miki Saijo, School of Environment and Society, Science Tokyo

“What Does Your Walk Tell About You?”
Dr. Sai Pai, Senior Scientist, Singapore-ETH Centre, IDEA League

Following presentations by eight researchers — including one from University of Ljubljana, representing EUTOPIA, and one from the Singapore-ETH Centre, representing the IDEA League —panel discussions were held, chaired by Asst. Prof. Bernett Lee (Biomedical Informatics and Director, Centre for Biomedical Informatics, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, NTU).

On the afternoon of July 9, the Vice Presidents & Senior Staff Meeting was held with vice presidents and senior staff from each member university in attendance, chaired by Vice President Pooi See Lee (NTU) and Professor Nobuhiro Hayashi, Secretary General of the ASPIRE League and Vice President for International Engagement and Education at Science Tokyo.

Participants shared updates on institutional priorities, recent initiatives, and international strategies, strengthening mutual understanding across the League.

Following these updates, NTU provided a report on the ASPIRE Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Design Challenge (UIDC), an exchange program for undergraduate students held in June.

After the report, members discussed the future activities of the League.

After the meeting, proposals submitted for the 2026 cycle of the ASPIRE League Partnership Seed Fund (startup research support between member universities) were reviewed. Following the meeting, four research outcome presentation sessions were held online for joint research projects previously supported by the Seed Fund.

This year’s student workshop took place from July 6 to 10 at NTU. Twenty-nine graduate students from each university gathered for an in-person workshop. Students were divided into five interdisciplinary teams composed of members from different universities, fostering cross-cultural and collaborative learning.

On the final day, July 10, students presented the results of their group work aligned with the forum theme “Active Aging: Interdisciplinary Solutions for Longevity and Wellbeing” to the vice presidents and symposium speakers. The students were divided into five mixed-university teams and proposed services dedicated to supporting older adults and their caregivers:

Group 1: A community platform designed to support informal caregivers (e.g., families) at risk of burnout and depression.
Group 2: A system aimed at eliminating the risk of older adults falling alone at home—especially in the bathroom—and remaining undiscovered for extended periods.
Group 3: A community-based activity program aimed at bereaved older adults coping with severe loneliness and depression following the loss of a spouse.
Group 4: A low-cost, clinically feasible nutritional intervention program targeting community-dwelling older adults in a prefrail state or facing nutritional risks (such as reduced appetite and chewing difficulties).
Group 5: An “invisible” vital sign monitoring system that seamlessly integrates into daily life for the early detection of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke—conditions highly prevalent among older adults.

Each team received questions and advice from vice presidents and symposium speakers, and awards were presented to each team.

Science Tokyo, as the chair institution for 2027, will host the upcoming ASPIRE League Forum from July 5 to 9, 2027.