Multi-Disciplinary Research Centre (MRC)
Multi-Disciplinary Research Centre (MRC)
The Multi-disciplinary Research Centre (MRC) was established by the School of Continuing Education (SCE) in 2016 aiming to expand SCE’s research infrastructure and capacity and facilitate exchanges and collaboration across multiple disciplines and sectors. The MRC was funded by Research Grants Council (RGC) with a grant of HK$6M of the Competitive Research Funding Exercise for Local Self-financing Degree Sector. The MRC comprises of 3 research laboratories, including Active Living Laboratory, Testing and Analytical Laboratory, and Social Science Research Laboratory. Through a community participatory research approach, research findings have been disseminated through report to stakeholders, public seminars/workshops, training sessions, workshops for professionals, journal article, conference abstracts and organisation of conference.
Laboratories
MRC User Guidelines and Booking Procedures
Active Living Lab (ALL)
The goal of ALL is to advance knowledge of healthy, active living, with an emphasis on the interactions between lifestyle and human health in compact cities like Hong Kong. Located on 5/F HKBU Shek Mun Campus, the ALL is well equipped with a suite of instruments and equipment to facilitate the research process ranging from cardiovascular and respiratory fitness assessment, muscular strength and endurance assessment, body composition assessment to anaerobic fitness assessment. Key equipment includes treadmill integrated with CPX system, back-chest-leg dynamometer and Body Composition Analyzer. To inspire communities and individuals to lead healthy lifestyles, various workshops to reach out to wider community have been organized, such as “Workshops on Disability Sport Theory Learning and Field Practice”, “Elderly Research Workshops” and “Workshop - Evaluation of Physical Fitness and Lifestyle of Older Adults”.
Testing and Analytical Lab (TAL)
The TAL is well equipped with a range of analytical and environmental monitoring instruments and advanced diagnosis equipment, such as ICP-OES, air samplers, freeze dryer, PM meters, Tomograph and Resistograph. Located on 12/F HKBU Shek Mun Campus, the TAL serves as an environmental science research lab for academics, researchers and students to engage in environmental-related research. The overall goal of TAL is to enhance knowledge in environmental science and the quality of the environment. Thematic workshops have been organized to reach out to industry professionals, government officials and the wider community, such as “Workshop on Advanced Tools and Practices for Detection and Assessment of Internal Tree Decay”, “Workshop on Tree Management Research Session”, and “Workshop - Biochars in Pollution Control: The Potential in the Removal of Heavy Metals”.
Social Science Research Lab (SSRL)
The SSRL endeavors to offer a computer-oriented laboratory environment to faculty members, researchers and students to conduct social science research. Located on 9/F HKBU Shek Mun Campus, the SSRL serves as a data analysis platform and the SPSS is installed to support data analysis. Various workshops have been organised to enhance research knowledge and skills, such as “Workshop - How the Quota Systems promotes the employment of people with disabilities - a case study of Guangdong Province) and “Case Study Research: Design, Methods and Writing”.
Research-related events/ activities
The MRC had led to the initiation of a diverse range of research and practical/training workshops and conference/ press conference with organisations/ personnel in different disciplines to enhance the interest and atmosphere of research among the staff and students. Some examples are:
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Achievements
The MRC had facilitated the establishment of research culture of SCE and served as a centralized platform to promote communication, exchange and collaboration of research and to support staff and students to carry out research in their related discipline:
- Engaged over 20 academics/researchers from Hong Kong, Japan and USA.
- Trained over 140 students from different academic disciplines including environmental, social sciences, testing and physical education
- Reached 620 academics/ professionals/ government officials/ students/ general public via 24 research-related workshops and seminars organised by MRC to promote knowledge exchange and transfer.
- Organised an international conference “2018 International Conference on Active Living and Health” and attracted over 260 academics/ researchers/ students locally and internationally. https://bunews.hkbu.edu.hk/news/on-campus/school-of-continuing-education-hosts-international-conference-on-active-living-and-health
- Selected media coverage with hyperlink: