Digital Health Asia 2025: Leading minds unite in Hong Kong to define the future of healthcare

VENUS DOON, POYING HUNG

10 Sep 2025

20250910_DHA-Conclusion_Web_8 — Digital Health Asia 2025 brings together over 50 leading experts and scholars from across the globe.

Organised by Times Higher Education (THE) in partnership with City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and the Institute of Digital Medicine, Digital Health Asia 2025 took place from 8 to 10 September. As the first edition of THE’s Digital Health Series to be held in Asia, the summit brought together more than 50 leading experts and scholars from around the world. It provided a timely platform for academic and cultural exchange, addressing pressing global healthcare challenges and exploring the future trajectory of digital health.

20250910_DHA-Conclusion_Web_2 — Professor Sir Mark Welland

20250910_DHA-Conclusion_Web_3 — Ambassador George Hara

Two keynote speeches on the second day of the summit drew particular attention. Professor Sir Mark Welland, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, shared his insights under the theme “Innovating Science for Technology Exploitation and Economic Growth.” He cited successful examples from the University of Cambridge to emphasise the importance of university infrastructure in supporting technological innovation and tackling global challenges, as well as the need for cross-disciplinary collaboration with partners across various fields.

Titled “A visionary focus on future innovation for digital health”, the second keynote speech was delivered by Ambassador George Hara, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, DEFTA Partners in the afternoon on the same day. He reminded the audience of the limitations of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and highlighted that data health cannot rely solely on data technology. More importantly, we must relate and explore cutting-edge scientific research and development.

20250910_DHA-Conclusion_Web_1 — The panel discussion is moderated by (from left) Professor Isaiah Arkin, Dean of the College of Biomedicine. The speakers include Professor Knowles, Professor Chan, Professor Yang, and Professor Chen.

In a panel discussion themed “Examining the intersection of biotechnology and digital health”, Professor Michael Yang Mengsu, Senior Vice-President (Innovation and Enterprise) of CityUHK, Professor Kannie Chan Wai-yan, Director of the Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro-cardiovascular Health Engineering and Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Professor Tuomas Knowles, 1920 Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, and Professor Chen Duanduan, Professor and Director of International Affairs, Beijing Institute of Technology discussed the similarities and differences between biotechnology and digital health, opportunities for integrated development, and the importance of digital health for early therapeutic intervention in diseases.

20250910_DHA-Conclusion_Web_4 — Performance by CityUHK Beatles at the welcoming dinner.

20250910_DHA-Conclusion_Web_7 — (From left) President Boey, Ms Cheung, Mr Ngai

The welcome dinner hosted esteemed guests including Ms Lillian Cheung, Under Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, and Mr Michael Ngai, Chairman of the CityUHK Council. Professor Freddy Boey, President and University Distinguished Professor of CityUHK, was joined by Professor Michael Tse, Director of the CityUHK Academy of Innovation, and Professor Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, to form the band “CityUHK Beatles”. Their performance of classic English hits added a light-hearted and convivial atmosphere to the evening, celebrating the spirit of global collaboration and innovation.