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The “Social Technology and Research Laboratory” (STAR Lab) is a HKU team that aims to develop novel IT technologies for serving the society. We are also interested in “Data Science for Social Good”, researching data-driven approaches that can benefit the public, NGOs, and government. The STAR Lab is now working with over 20 NGOs on family- and elderly- related projects.
We are pleased to share that Prof. Cheng has been featured in a Sing Tao Headline news article highlighting his latest work on applying AI for social good on May 28, 2026.
In response to the challenges of an ageing population, Prof. Cheng led the development of “HINCare,” a timebanking system that leverages AI to connect volunteers with the elderly or others in need. The platform supports services such as medical accompaniment and home assistance, while converting service hours into “time credits” to foster a sustainable and supportive community.
The project has received international recognition with a Silver Award at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, and continues to expand in forms of cross-centre timebanking via “TimeTeer” mobile app, and “OpenCare” event platform.
Prof. Cheng emphasized lifelong learning and the need for stronger AI literacy in society. He encouraged students to harness AI wisely, while maintaining critical thinking and ethical judgment.
To learn more about Prof. Cheng’s insights, please view the full article:
https://www.stheadline.com/daily-hongkong/3576983/
The University has long been committed to making a positive impact on society through knowledge exchange (KE). The HKU KE website showcases inspiring stories of researchers’ achievements in ‘Impact’, ‘Innovation’, ‘Partnership’, ‘Global’, and ‘Engagement’ each month.
We are proud to share that the HINCare project, led by Prof. Reynold Cheng, has been featured in HKU IMPACT, recognizing its remarkable social impact. Over the past six years, the project has been awarded eight prestigious honours, including the Hong Kong ICT Awards, Asia Smart App Awards, Social Capital Builder Awards, and HKU Engineering Knowledge Exchange Award. More recently, in the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (March 2026), HINCare project was awarded a Silver medal. This recognition highlights how community‑facing digital innovations can combine technical rigour with tangible social impact: improving NGO operations, expanding volunteer networks, and building social capital across Hong Kong’s districts.
To learn more about the HINCare project and its impactful work, please visit the following link:
https://www.ke.hku.hk/story/engagement/hincare-programme
We are proud to announce that the HINCare project has been awarded a Silver Medal at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva.
The annual International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (IEIG) is one of the world’s most prestigious events dedicated exclusively to inventions and innovations. Bringing together inventors, research institutions, and industry leaders from around the world, the exhibition provides an important platform for showcasing technological breakthroughs and fostering international collaboration.
About HINCare:
HINCare is a large-scale data-driven software system that supports volunteering and timebanking. Its AI based on our Heterogeneous Information Network (HIN) match needy users and volunteers effectively. It features a user-friendly app, and a cloud service for data management and analytics. HINCare has been used by 20K users and 20 NGOs in Hong Kong, generating a social capital of HKD$7 million. HINCare makes volunteering easy, scalable, and affordable, with a long-term mission of cultivating a mutual-help culture.
