About SAR, PolyU, PAIR and RCMI
About SAR
The Society for Acupuncture Research (SAR), co-founded by Patricia Culliton, Hannah Bradford, and Stephen Birch in 1993, began several years earlier as an informal group (the Committee for Acupuncture Research) to discuss methodological concerns in acupuncture research. After several meetings in 1991 and 1992, the group evolved to become a formal organisation, the Society for Acupuncture Research, whose original vision was to foster scientifically sound inquiries and stimulate scholarship in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. To this end, SAR decided to sponsor international biannual conferences on research advances and issues in acupuncture and Oriental medicine. SAR is currently guided by Co-Presidents Rick Harris, PhD, and Jun Mao, MD, with a total of 14 board members.
About PolyU
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) aspires to be an innovative world-class university with a strong sense of social responsibility, driven by its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”.
The University provides the best holistic education to nurture socially responsible “leaders of tomorrow” who possess a strong sense of national identity and a global perspective, and pursues impactful innovation and interdisciplinary research to address the world’s most pressing challenges. A robust culture of knowledge transfer and entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of the University, ensuring PolyU’s technologies are transformed into practical real-world applications. The University's unwavering commitment to excellence has earned it international recognition, with PolyU consistently ranking among the top 100 universities worldwide. Based on this solid foundation, the University will continue to make positive contributions in collaboration with its strategic partners for the betterment of Hong Kong, the Nation, and the world.
About PAIR
Officially inaugurated in July 2022, the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) is PolyU’s central platform to advance interdisciplinary research, knowledge and technology transfer and research collaborations. PAIR comprises 18 constituent research units, making it the largest research platform of its kind in the Greater Bay Area.
PAIR research focuses on three core areas: advanced technologies and manufacturing, good health and well-being, and smart and sustainable cities. PAIR research units bring together PolyU scholars from various faculties and schools for cutting-edge research on significant societal challenges. PAIR researchers at different units also join hands in developing solutions, maximising the positive impact of interdisciplinary collaboration.
Among the 18 constituent research units of PAIR, 11 are research institutes (RIs) and 7 are research centres (RCs). They bring together more than 450 senior researchers for interdisciplinary research. PAIR will establish more RIs and RCs in different fields in the coming years, leveraging research and innovation for the benefit of Hong Kong and beyond.
About RCMI
The Research Centre for Chinese Medicine Innovation (RCMI) was established in October 2021 as a university-level platform to facilitate impactful interdisciplinary research under the umbrella of the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). At present, RCMI has three main research directions: namely Management of Metabolic Syndrome and Liver Disease, Women’s Health, and Integrative Solutions for Physical Wellness.
With over 40 faculty members from 7 departments with interdisciplinary expertise, RCMI aims to conduct high impact research to provide scientific evidence to elucidate traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory for better understanding by the research community, medical community and the general public. RCMI is committed to foster inter-disciplinary and translational research for developing novel drugs, new treatment protocol and programme based on TCM practices for application in the clinical setting or community. RCMI also provide consultancy services to different stakeholders in TCM quality control, TCM-based drug discovery and development, as well as treatment protocol for enhancing physical wellness for the benefit of the community. Collectively, RCMI provides support and leadership in bringing Chinese medicine innovations into clinical practice and relevant policy to promote safer use and good practice of Chinese medicine.