Research Collaboration between Sunway University & Lancaster University

Lancaster University and Sunway University have been awarded an international grant to empower local communities and Government in Malaysia in addressing social issues in ageing and disabilities

The 12-month project, ProtoPolicyAsia involves the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia, Petrosains - The Science Discovery Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Lancaster University, Sunway University in Malaysia (Dr Min Hooi Yong from Department of Psychology, Dr Clarissa Lee from Jeffrey Sachs Center on Sustainable Development, Assoc Prof Sian Lun Lau from Department of Computing and Information Systems, and Assoc Prof Jun Shan Hwang from Department of Medical Sciences) and United Nations University - International Institute for Global Health in Malaysia. The team was awarded £85,867.32 / RM446,510 for the project.

The project is funded under the AHRC’s GCRF Highlight Notice for International Development:  Follow on Funding for Impact and Engagement Scheme.

ProtoPolicyAsia’s main aim is to increase local community participation in the Malaysian national policy-making process to work together with relevant government agencies on social issues that relate to older persons and persons with disabilities. This is in line with the Malaysian government's goal to promote community-based care and address the gap between policy and practice for these vulnerable groups.

The project aims to (1) support Malaysian government agencies to develop community-based engagement methods, using speculative design as a way to dealing with problems and creating solutions; (2) empower local communities by developing skills and knowledge for them to come together to support community-based care and ageing- in-place; (3) assess the impact of the change to ensure that the plans and programmes meet people's needs and are long- lasting in to the future, and (4) develop sustainable partnerships between key groups (government agencies, Non- Government Organisations, community-based groups) to carry on tackling the social issues faced by older persons and persons with disabilities.

All activities focus on UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals 16 (Inclusive Societies) and 3 (Health & Wellbeing) and will help support Malaysia in its drive to become an advanced economy and inclusive nation.

The funded project is a result of the collaboration developed during the South East Asia Springboard at Sunway University in November 2017 by Dr. Mandy Dillon, Prof Nick Dunn and Prof Harry Hoster and its seed corn funding by Lancaster University.