The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The Research Grants Council (RGC) will present its fifth public lecture this year under the theme "Retirement Security for the Elderly in Hong Kong" on December 4 (Saturday) at the Hong Kong Central Library.
 
     The RGC has invited Professor of the Department of Finance of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Chan Wai-sum, and Associate Vice President (Research) and Chair Professor of the Department of Asian and Policy Studies of the Education University of Hong Kong, Professor Chou Kee-lee, to share their research findings and professional knowledge with the public. Details are as follows:
 
Time: 3.30pm to 5.30pm
Venue: Lecture Theatre, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library
Language: Cantonese
Admission: Free (seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis)
 
     Members of the public can also watch a live broadcast of the lectures through the Multimedia Information System of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (mmis.hkpl.gov.hk).
 
     An unprecedented extension of human longevity around the world has happened in the 20th century. With one of the world's longest life expectancies at birth (88.1 years for women and 82.2 years for men in 2019), Hong Kong is now aging faster than many other regions. In this regard, Professor Chan will present his research studies on the effects of longevity on health, disabilities and retirement security. His findings have influenced the development of reverse mortgages, annuities, the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme and long-term care insurance in Hong Kong.
 
     Despite its relative prosperity, the poverty rate in old age in Hong Kong is exceptionally high. It has become a major priority for policy makers to consider how to improve the well-being of elderly people while managing the burden on public finances in a sustainable manner. Professor Chou's research leads to a better understanding on the limitations of the current official poverty line and provides a more balanced view on the debate on the pros and cons of universal and more targeted pension schemes.
 
     The public lectures of the RGC aim at arousing public interest in local research developments. Since 2009, the RGC has invited numerous leading scholars to speak at these lectures. For enquiries, please call 2524 3987 or visit the University Grants Committee webpage (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/events/lectures/lectures.html). In addition, the RGC has launched an email subscription service, and people who are interested in receiving updates of new contents on the RGC website can subscribe to the service at www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/about/subscribe.

Ends/Monday, November 29, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:00

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