20.08.2025Strategic Partnerships in Action: UZH’s Healthy Longevity Center Welcomes Experts from Kyoto University and the University of Queensland

A Global Hub for Healthy Longevity Research and Education

The Healthy Longevity Center (HCL) at the University of Zurich (UZH)  has emerged as a focal point for international collaboration in research and education on healthy ageing. Rooted in UZH’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Department of Psychology, the HLC convenes experts across disciplines to tackle one of society’s most pressing challenges: how to live longer, healthier lives.

The Center’s international outlook is reinforced by UZH’s strategic partnerships with Kyoto University and the University of Queensland – two institutions renowned for innovation and societal impact. These partnerships not only support joint research but also create opportunities for vibrant academic exchange.

KU participates in Longevity Days 2025

In June, Dr. Kana Eguchi from Kyoto University returned to Zurich to take part in the Longevity Days, a flagship event hosted by the UZH Healthy Longevity Center. Held annually, the event brings together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and policy experts to share the latest findings and explore practical solutions for healthy aging. The 2025 edition featured keynote lectures, panel discussions, and interactive workshops on topics such as AI-driven healthcare and societal strategies for longevity.

Known for her groundbreaking work in sustainable, data-driven ecosystems for healthy aging, Dr. Eguchi delivered a keynote lecture and engaged in discussions with UZH researchers. Her teaching focused on exploring how to leverage various wearables such as fabrics to gather and analyze real-word data from people’s everyday environment. This exchange not only deepened scientific dialogue but also opened new avenues for future faculty exchange between UZH and Kyoto University.

Reflecting on her participation, Dr. Eguchi shared that she was “truly grateful for the opportunity to be invited to this distinguished event as an early-career researcher. Although my own work has often focused on how deeply we can understand the health condition of a single individual through data collection and analysis, the keynotes in this event offered me a much broader perspective on research under the unifying theme of ‘Healthy Longevity.’ Learning about these diverse approaches was truly inspiring and highlighted how my work can connect to this larger vision.”

Immersive Learning: UQ Experts Join Inaugural Healthy Longevity Summer School

In July, the UZH's Healthy Longevity Center hosted its first international Summer School on Healthy Longevity. This three-week program was designed to equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in one of today’s most dynamic fields. Open to advanced Bachelor’s and Master’s students, the course offered a unique blend of interdisciplinary learning, hands-on experience, and exposure to real-world applications.

Under the academic leadership of Prof. Dr. Mike Martin and Dr. Christina Röcke, participants explored cutting-edge research on healthy aging and longevity, engaged with national and international experts from interdisciplinary research fields and industry, and developed market-ready skills to translate longevity science into practice. The curriculum also included site visits to key players in Switzerland’s ecosystem for healthy aging, including one of Zurich’s public Assisted Living Facilities («Gesundheitszentrum für das Alter»), a state-of-art geriatric rehabilitation clinic at Barmelweid, as well as the highly acclaimed current exhibition «Health First. An exhibit with side effects» at one of Switerzland’s most innovative museum spaces Stapferhaus.

A highlight of this year’s program was the participation of Professors Nancy Pachana and Tim Kastelle from the University of Queensland (UQ), who are contributed with lectures and workshops. Their involvement reflected the deepening academic ties between UZH and UQ. This strategic partnership continues to foster collaborative teaching, research, and innovation.

Prof. Pachana noted that “As a guest lecturer at the summer school, it’s truly inspiring to see students from across the globe collaborating on the important topic of Healthy Ageing. Being together in Switzerland has added a unique dimension to the experience—especially with the opportunity to explore local exhibitions on the topic of health and ageing. It’s been a rewarding experience for both the students and me.”

Building Bridges for Lasting Impact

These examples of collaboration in the area of healthy ageing with two global university partners show how UZH’s strategic partnerships create sustainable value. Through ongoing knowledge exchange, joint development of new approaches, and close international collaboration, partnerships with institutions such as Kyoto University and the University of Queensland are strengthening the University of Zurich’s Healthy Longevity Center’s global reputation. Step by step, these collaborations are helping to build the foundations for healthier, longer lives.

Looking ahead beyond the topic of Healthy Longevity, two upcoming symposiums—one with the University of Queensland and another with Kyoto University—will serve to further strengthen our institutional. These events will not only deepen our strategic partnerships but also highlight the breadth of collaborative research and academic exchange taking place across the entire university. From health sciences to the humanities, the symposiums will showcase the diversity of the University of Zurich’s global engagement.

Thurka Sinnathurai