Swinburne Sarawak recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Optimum-Eden Healthcare Sdn Bhd (OEH) to kick off a research and development work on cutting-edge aged care monitoring system.
The collaboration aims to develop a safe, reliable and practical system for senior citizens living on their own. Swinburne will be supporting OEH by developing systems that provide a centralised point to monitor health vital signs with patch sensors, and improving the accuracy and performance of the sensors.
The MoU was signed by Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor John Wilson and OEH Chief Executive Officer Simon Yong. The signing was witnessed by OEH Chairman John Chin and Managing Director Victor Fong.
“We envision developing a range of home-grown, cutting edge and Industry Revolution 4.0 technologies for aged care in Sarawak. In future, such technologies could be exported to other parts of Malaysia and Southeast Asia,” said Chin.
According to Simon, Swinburne plays a crucial role in innovating and creating novel technologies that best suit the local elderly community, are acceptable to the Malaysian society, as well as financially sustainable.
Meanwhile, project leader and Swinburne’s Head of School of Computing Professor Patrick Then remarked that the collaboration with Eden encompasses transdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research, coupled with development from engineering, ICT or social impact study.
“Even though the public may be aware that there are many technological products and services available on the market, they are not directly applicable or suitable to local needs and particularly to their culture,” added Professor Then.
Other than a feasibility study and research and development work, Swinburne and Eden will jointly explore possible enhancements to the university’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes so that they remain relevant to the needs of the aged care industry.
OEH, an establishment under Eden-On-The-Park group of companies, is a nursing care management service provider that continues to innovate in giving the highest quality of care for the elderly. Eden-On-The-Park is an active senior living resort with an adjacent aged care facility. The eight-acre site in Samarahan district is designed to provide a friendly, secure and conducive living environment supported by state-of the-art services and professional care.
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