On the afternoon of October 31, 2024, the Honorable Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development of Sarawak, Malaysia, led a Malaysian delegation on a visit to The Future Laboratory, Tsinghua University (Hereinafter: Futurelab). The delegation first visited the Tsinghua University Historical Museum, where a Malaysia student volunteer from Tsinghua university, provided an introduction to the history of university. After the visit, the delegation arrived at the Research Center for Aging User Experience and Service System Design, the Future Laboratory (Hereinafter: Aex) for academic communication and potential collaboration.

The delegation visiting Tsinghua University’s History Museum before the meeting.

Professor Jihong Jeung, Principal Investigator at the Future Laboratory, Tsinghua University, delivered an opening speech, extending a warm welcome to the Malaysian delegation. Yimeng Zhang, Director of International Cooperation Office, the Future Laboratory, Tsinghua University, provided guests with a brief overview of the laboratory’s structure and research outcomes.

Professor Jihong Jeung delivers a speech.

Yimeng Zhang introduces the Futurelab

Jihong JEUNG introduced the current situation of aging research and industrial development in China, and elaborated on the key projects and research progress of Aex in utilizing intelligent design and service systems to meet the diverse needs of elderly users.

Professor Jihong Jeung introduces the AeX research

During the meeting, both parties focus on important topics such as the application of AI in studies on older adults, dignity of older adults, empathy in young researchers toward older adults, human-centered design in technological development, active aging, and methods of respecting older adults within design processes. The delegation expressed the significance of take inspiration about aging-related research for addressing the challenges of promoting active and dignified aging in Malaysian society.

Both parties engage in a discussion on aging research

The Honourable Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah highlighted, “Our goal is to maintain the capabilities of older adults for as long as possible, aligning with Malaysia’s philosophy on aging—aging with dignity, aging actively, and embracing the aging process.”

Yang Berbahagia Datu Dr. Haji Adi Badiozaman bin Tuah expressed that this visit had provided valuable insights into innovative approaches to aging research of the Futurelab. He expected for future collaboration to jointly explore pathways for advancing aging research.

This visit has injected new energy into the collaboration between the Futurelab and Malaysia in the field of aging research of Malayssia, provide possibility for further potential cooperative in addressing the challenges of aging. In the future, both sides will continue to deepen their communication and collaboration, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for older adults and innovating in aging research and its applications, and building an international network for aging research.

The delegation poses for a group photo with members of the Futurelab

Written by | SHEN Chunlan, HE Liwen, NIU Ruowen, JIN Tongtong

Photography by | NIU Ruowen, JIN Tongtong

Edited by | WANG Rongqi, FENG Feiyu

Reviewed by | SONG Shiyu