NSW hub for research into Asia-Pacific's ageing challenges

A NEW Asia Pacific-wide Population Ageing Research Hub has been established at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), providing a regional forum for research collaboration on population ageing.

Asia is the world’s most rapidly ageing region, according to UNSW deputy vice-chancellor for research, Les Field. 

Led by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing (CEPAR), the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) Population Ageing Research Hub was formally launched by Professor Field, who is also the vice-president of UNSW, where CEPAR is based.

Prof. Field spoke at the inaugural Hub conference last week, which hosted more than 40 researchers from more than 20 countries in the region.

"Population ageing is generating increasing research and policy attention, and this dedicated Research Hub will focus on improving collaboration amongst experts to address one of the greatest social challenges of the 21st century," Prof. Field said.

"UNSW is proud to have taken the initiative to establish this Hub."

CEPAR director John Piggott welcomed the opportunity APRU now presents "to bring together world class researchers from different disciplines to consider the social and economic impacts of key demographic changes".

“It is absolutely vital that we understand the changes taking place in our region and their implications both for the countries involved and for Australia," Prof. Piggott said.

"The significant rise in ageing populations throughout Asia will create greater pressure on the capacity of both families and governments to provide support for the ageing demographic.

"CEPAR is looking forward to contributing to collaborative research initiatives with global significance across the APRU network. 

"By building and delivering insight into socio-economic and health and aged care impacts, we can help policy makers and service providers to identify needs and develop resources to meet them," Prof. Piggott said.

CEPAR is a unique, independent, ARC-funded research centre bringing together academia, government and industry to address one of the major social challenges of the 21st century, he said.

www.cepar.edu.au

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