The University of Hong Kong

Made of Words: HRH Princess Delphine of Belgium, Prof Yeewan Koon and Dr Daisy Yiyou Wang discuss identity, belonging and resilience across Europe and Asia, moderated by Prof David Pomfret. 16 Nov, 2:30 PM, HKU. Limited seats: hkucpaotlevents1.eventbrite.hk/?aff=social #HKUBeyond

An international team of researchers has published the inaugural article in a new flagship series from the leading journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, setting out a comprehensive roadmap for the future of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in mental health.

The “The Future of…” series will invite teams of international experts to shape the research agenda and guide the future of clinical practice in mental health. The first article, led by Professor Benjamin Becker from HKU's Department of Psychology, was produced in collaboration with experts from the University of Cambridge, the University of California, Berkeley, the National University of Singapore, and other institutions, and features contributions from fellow HKU Strategic Research Theme on AI & Society members Professor Paul S.F. Yip, Chair of Population Health and Director of the HKJC Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, and Professor Duoduo Xu.

The paper argues that AI’s clinical value in mental health should not and cannot be judged by technical performance alone. Mental health is characterised by diagnostic complexity, the authors note, relies on language-based and self-reported information, and features substantial variability in how individuals respond to treatment.

To read the full story at the HKU Lead, click the link in the comments!

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🌐 AsiaGlobal Dialogue 2026

📢 Join Nobel Laureate Michael Spence, Emeritus President of MIT Rafael Reif, AGI Chairman Victor Fung and distinguished global thought leaders on November 13 at The University of Hong Kong.

Themed Growth Reimagined: Asia's Role in a New Era, AGD 2026 will explore how Asian enterprise, regional integration, and emerging technologies drive global resilience. AI’s impact on workforce transformation, healthcare, and longevity to expand the definition of growth beyond traditional economic models will also be discussed.

📅 Date: November 13, 2026 (Friday)

⏰ Time: 8:30 AM – 12:15 PM

📍 Venue: Loke Yew Hall, The University of Hong Kong

Register for your interest

AGD 2026 is an in-person event. Availability is limited and is subject to approval by the AGD Secretariat. Your registration will be pending until you receive confirmation from the AGD Secretariat.

Register here: asiaglobalinstitute.hku.hk/agd/agd-year/2…

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The LKS Faculty of Medicine will host the World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting for the first time in May 2027, a milestone that positions Hong Kong as a “super connector” for turning Asia’s health priorities into cross-border action!

“Receiving the baton from Nairobi is such a privilege, and HKUMed is ready to help shape the next chapter of global health collaboration”, said Professor Chak-sing Lau, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) and Dean of Medicine at HKU, who will serve as Incoming International President of the World Health Summit 2027.

“We will harness our city’s role as a super connector to bring together leaders and changemakers. ‘Health Across Borders’ is our ambition to turn connections into actions, and scientific advances into better health for everyone.”

#hku #universityofhongkong #HKUMed #WHS #香港大學 #港大

As cities have gotten denser and access to green spaces shrunk, rates of depression and anxiety have climbed more than 15% in the past decade, now affecting over 550 million people worldwide.

Now, an HKU-led research team has just produced what may be the most comprehensive answer yet to a deceptively simple question: Exactly how much can green spaces, especially natural greenspaces, promote our mental health?

After looking at 92,000 studies over the course of 45 years, they found that just one visit and one hour per week achieved 50% of the maximum observed benefit. A moderate dose — four visits and four hours per week — captured 90%. And a high dose — six visits and roughly eight hours per week — reached 99%, effectively the maximum.

"Small changes can deliver meaningful benefits," the authors wrote in their paper, published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, suggesting that something as simple as rerouting a daily commute through a park could make a measurable difference.

#HKU #UniversityofHongKong #architecture #psychology #environmentalpsychology #香港大學 #港大 #心理學