Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) team was welcomed to Juntendo University, Tokyo, by Department of Global Health Research (GHR) and DIHAC study team

25th November 2025 Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) graduate students of master of Gerontology course and alumni, associated partners such as Lions Befrienders, Vanguard Healthcare and cooperates paid a visit to Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan on 25th November 2025. The delegation was led by Dr. Kelvin Tan and Ms. Sabrina Hiu consisted of 31 members. Department of GHR Chair Professor Motoyuki Yuasa and and DIHAC study Principal Investigator Associate Professor Myo Nyein Aung hosted SUSS team. International PhD students from GHR and DIHAC study research team joined the event and welcomed SUSS team.

Figure 1 Professor Motoyuki Yuasa, Department of Global Health Research explaining the global network and projects

Figure 2 : SUSS and Juntendo University academic exchange event at Ariyama Noboru Memorial Hall, A collaboration symposium through DIHAC study, convened by GHR

At First, GHR mission, visions, global network and current project overviews were presented by Professor Yuasa. After orientation and welcome speech, SUSS team and GHR team introduced their diverse professional backgrounds and current projects one by one.

Figure 3 Dr. Kelvin Tan SUSS (Lt) , Associate Professor Myo Nyein Aung, DIHAC study (middle) and SUSS team

Dr. Kelvin Tan, Head, Minor in Applied Ageing Studies programme, Senior Lecturer Gerontology Programmes, S R Nathan School of Human Development, SUSS shared Singapore landscape of active ageing in his lecture entitled “Active Ageing Singapore: Overview in Education Research and Services.”

  Figure 4 Dr. Kelvin giving a lecture about active ageing in Singapore  

After his lecture, GHR research projects such as “Development of comprehensive system for intrinsic capacity and frailty screening tool using AI” were presented. SUSS team asked the question about Japan’s new technology for detecting social frailty. DIHAC study team explained the research and innovation in Japan beyond the department projects.

Figure 5 Group Photo of Juntendo University GHR team and SUSS team inside Ariyama Noboru Memorial Hall, Juntendo University

Figure 6 Lions Befrienders executive director Mrs. Karen Wee (middle) explained years long collaboration with DIHAC study 

Figure 7. SUSS team enjoying bird exercise for freshening up after the first session.

In the second part of the event, DIHAC study team presented cross-cultural research findings in four countries. DIHAC study PI shared advocacy and policy for digital literacy of older persons in Asia and the Pacific, and researchers shared digital skills and e-health literacy research finding in Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand. Mutual discussion extended based on influence of digital skills on the loneliness and older adults’ quality of life. SUSS team interactively discussed the findings in different contexts.

Figure 8: Myat Yanada Kyaw, DIHAC study researcher and PhD graduate presenting e-health literacy findings of DIHAC study, cross-cultural findings in Japan, ROK, Singapore and Thailand  

Figure 9: Thet Htoo Pan, DIHAC study researcher, PhD candidate, presenting digital skills and health outcome findings of DIHAC study, cross-cultural findings in Japan, ROK, Singapore and Thailand 

Figure 10: SUSS students’ discussion with DIHAC team about mobile application use of older adults at Juntendo University Tokyo, Japan

Figure 11. DIHAC study team from Juntendo University and SUSS team in front of the Ariyama Noboru Memorial Hall,13th floor, Juntendo University building 7, Tokyo

Two teams exchanged research experiences for active ageing in Singapore and Japan. DIHAC team also shared cross-cultural research implementation and the study sites in Asia and Europe. The exchange also featured presentations on Department of Global Health projects, such as frailty screening using AI. The session concluded with interactive discussions and an open dialogue, reinforcing the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in advancing global health and ageing research. This event marked another milestone in strengthening ties between Juntendo University and SUSS, while highlighting the role of sustained collaboration in DIHAC study ’which is bridging policy, research and practice across the Asia Pacific and beyond for digital empowerment of older adults.