Lingnan University Team at the 2026 Macau Physiotherapists Association Academic Conference

The Lingnan University team was delighted to be invited to the prestigious 2026 Macau Physiotherapists Association Academic Conference on 24 May 2026, which brought together representatives from the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, healthcare professionals, and delegates from various professional organisations. This year’s conference, themed “Embracing the Silver Wave — Community-Based Scientific Health Management”, focused on the health of the elderly and interdisciplinary collaboration. By integrating clinical practice with innovative technology, the conference aimed to enhance overall care effectiveness and inject new momentum into Macao’s healthcare services.

Dr Chloe Siu Pui-yee, Senior Lecturer at Lingnan University’s School of Graduate Studies, was invited to give a speech to the experts and scholars titled “Applications of Gerontechnology in Rehabilitation Therapy”, discussing her observations and experiences in community health. In addition to her multiple-perspective keynote presentation, Lingnan students showed a range of gerontechnology products developed in the Hong Kong SAR, which confirm how health data can assist the well-being of the elderly and their caregivers.

The students also took the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of rehabilitation research and the latest developments within the Greater Bay Area. Mr Santo Chan Sheung-to, a Master’s student in Health and Social Services Management, said “Working as an assistant at the conference really allowed me to appreciate how technology enables better clinical practice. From risk management in community physiotherapy to practical examples of Hong Kong’s gerontechnology in rehabilitation, and behavioural changes in the mental health of the elderly, each project highlighted the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Watching experts combine rigorous clinical decision-making with artificial intelligence and gerontechnology made me realise that the ultimate goal of technology is humanistic care, and a more compassionate approach to future community health management.”

Zhou Ying, a Master’s student in Health Analytics and Management, said “Attending the Macau Physiotherapists Association Academic Conference was a unique experience for me. I was responsible for presenting Lingnan University’s gerontechnology projects and showing them to visitors, many of whom showed great interest. I also had a chance to learn about Macao physiotherapists’ community initiatives, which have inspired me.

Several graduates from health-related programmes presented their own innovative projects at the conference, including rehabilitation training tools and picture books based on reminiscence therapy. Meeting other participants meant students got valuable feedback and new ideas from them, which will accelerate the development of gerontechnology products.

Dr Siu emphasised that the conference was an excellent platform for exchanging ideas on rehabilitation issues within the Greater Bay Area, and also improved students’ understanding of Hong Kong’s gerontechnology policies and community development. By engaging directly, students gained deeper insights into the needs of the health service and perspectives of different age groups. The conference’s extensive content attracted many local healthcare professionals, establishing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and laying a solid foundation for cross-regional health industry development.