On August 6, Kick-off of International Joint Lab on Intelligent Services Embedded in Everyday Life for the Wellbeing of Elderly (ISEEL) was held in Sino-Finnish Centre. Representatives from TEKES Finland, College of Design and Innovation, College of Arts and Media, School of Electronics and Information as well as Sino-Finnish Centre, Tongji University attended and gave presentations during the Kick-off.
Prof. Lou Yongqi, Dean of College of Design and Innovation as well as Executive Vice Director of Sino-Finnish Centre delivered the opening speech, telling the story and future of SFC, and the possible roles that the ISEEL lab can play in the future. Prof. Lou mentioned that we need to do something to summarize and create knowhow, e.g. using research to create more knowhow to face the challenge of this society and economy. Through the establishment of this lab, smart living and sustainable living can be well-connected.
Prof. Matti Hamalainen, Director of the ISEEL lab, National High-end Foreign Expert of Tongji, Professor of Aalto University, as well as Director of China Cooperation in DIGILE (The Finnish Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation in Internet Economy), also gave a welcome speech. The aim of this lab is to solve the aging problem, promote new innovative multidisciplinary and participatory approaches and to involve the variety of stakeholders in active co-creation for tackling the challenges and opportunities in ageing societies.
In 2014, the focus of the ISEEL lab will be in the preparation part, involving various disciplines at Tongji and with local, national and international partners, including relevant companies, NGOs and public sector, the Cities in particular. The lab will produce international research publications based on joint research projects and partnering with relevant research networks and experts; organize international workshops and conferences series, typically co-organized with other key actors in the field; Participate joint research projects funded by City, Provincial and State level calls, as well as joint projects from industries; Contribute to business ecosystem and community facilitation in this field, involving research spin-offs and start-ups from Tongji and other (e.g. Aalto). ISEEL Lab will hold official opening ceremony in November 2014.
