Abstract
The translation of aging research from preclinical innovation to clinical success remains a significant challenge, underscoring the need for students to develop logical thinking that bridges academic and industrial perspectives. This TDG project successfully designed and implemented a program from January to October 2025 that integrated inquiry-based learning with authentic industrial exposure for undergraduate students in the School of Biomedical Sciences, with the intensive summer component taking place from June to August 2025.
The project produced two primary deliverables that have been fully realized. The first was an academia-industry research learning platform that combined four foundational lectures on aging science, stem cell technologies, reproductive aging, and industrial drug development with hands-on wet-lab practical sessions where students acquired skills in stem cell culture, molecular cloning, CRISPR techniques, and human cellular aging models. The platform also facilitated student-initiated research projects utilizing an innovative accelerated cellular aging model that maximized learning within the program timeframe. The second deliverable comprised seminars on translational research featuring speakers from both academia, including the School of Biomedical Sciences and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and industry partners such as SinoMab BioScience Limited and the Center for Translational Stem Cell Biology at HKSTP, providing students with firsthand insight into the drug development pipeline from research and development to regulatory affairs and clinical approval.
Empirical evaluation through pre- and post-program tests demonstrated significant enhancement in students’ understanding of aging research concepts and methodologies. Post-program surveys revealed that students unanimously reported improved confidence in conducting independent research and deeper comprehension of translational pathways, with mentor evaluations highlighting exceptional student engagement, problem-solving abilities, and technical skill development. The program strengthened the teaching-research nexus by involving research professors and graduate students in undergraduate mentorship while building concrete links between the university and Hong Kong’s biotech ecosystem.
This model is designed to be adaptable across disciplines. Engineering or computer science faculties could develop similar partnerships with technology companies or startup incubators, business and economics faculties could collaborate with financial institutions or corporate partners, social sciences faculties could engage with NGOs or policy institutes, and arts and humanities faculties could connect with cultural institutions or creative industries to create experiential learning opportunities that bridge academic inquiry with professional practice. The program demonstrates how research-intensive faculties can create immersive learning experiences that bridge theoretical knowledge and translational application, and we hope to inspire cross-disciplinary dialogue on adopting similar academia-industry collaborative pedagogies across the University.