# Centre on Ageing, University of Hong Kong

> research centre on gerontology in greater China and in the Asian Pacific region

**Wikidata**: [Q125502930](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125502930)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-on-ageing-university-of-hong-kong

## Summary
The Centre on Ageing at the University of Hong Kong was a research institute dedicated to gerontology research serving greater China and the Asian Pacific region. Established in April 1999 and operating until 2002, it was headquartered in Hong Kong's Central and Western District before being succeeded by the Sau Po Centre on Ageing.

## Key Facts
- **Inception**: April 1999
- **Dissolved**: 2002
- **Location**: Hong Kong, Central and Western District
- **Country**: People's Republic of China
- **Parent Organization**: University of Hong Kong
- **Classification**: Research institute
- **Field of Work**: Gerontology
- **Successor Organization**: Sau Po Centre on Ageing, University of Hong Kong
- **VIAF ID**: 6737170868726622930009
- **HKCAN ID**: 9811123422303406
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: no2024009119 (recorded as "University of Hong Kong. Centre on Ageing")
- **Geographic Scope**: Greater China and the Asian Pacific region

## FAQs

### What was the Centre on Ageing at the University of Hong Kong?
The Centre on Ageing was a research institute established within the University of Hong Kong that focused specifically on gerontology—the study of aging and issues affecting older adults. It operated as a dedicated research organization rather than a teaching department.

### How long did the Centre on Ageing operate?
The Centre operated for approximately three years, from its inception in April 1999 until its dissolution in 2002. Following its closure, its functions were continued by the Sau Po Centre on Ageing at the University of Hong Kong.

### What geographic region did the Centre on Ageing serve?
The Centre focused its research efforts on gerontology within greater China and the broader Asian Pacific region, positioning it as a regional hub for aging-related research during its operational period.

### What happened to the Centre on Ageing after 2002?
The Centre was replaced by and its work continued through the Sau Po Centre on Ageing, University of Hong Kong, which succeeded the original organization and presumably expanded upon its research mission.

## Why It Matters
The Centre on Ageing represented an early institutional commitment to gerontology research at a time when population aging was becoming increasingly recognized as a critical demographic and social challenge across Asia. By establishing a dedicated research institute within Hong Kong's oldest university, the initiative acknowledged the growing need for systematic, evidence-based study of aging-related issues in a region experiencing rapid demographic transformation. The Centre's geographic focus on greater China and the Asian Pacific region positioned it to address culturally specific aspects of aging that differ from Western models, contributing to a more globally representative body of gerontological knowledge. Its succession by the Sau Po Centre on Ageing demonstrates institutional continuity and ongoing commitment to this field of research at the University of Hong Kong.

## Notable For
- Serving as a specialized gerontology research centre for the greater China and Asian Pacific region
- Operating under the University of Hong Kong, one of Asia's premier research universities
- Focusing exclusively on research rather than degree-granting education
- Being formally recognized in international library cataloging systems including the Library of Congress and German National Library networks
- Establishing institutional infrastructure that enabled its successor organization, the Sau Po Centre on Ageing, to continue and expand its mission

## Body

### Organizational Identity and Purpose
The Centre on Ageing, University of Hong Kong functioned as a research institute—a type of organization whose primary purpose is conducting systematic investigation to generate new knowledge. Unlike academic departments that combine teaching and research, this Centre existed specifically to advance understanding in its specialized field. The organization operated as a distinct entity within the broader institutional framework of the University of Hong Kong, maintaining its own identity while benefiting from university resources and academic infrastructure.

### Research Focus and Geographic Scope
The Centre's field of work centered exclusively on gerontology, the multidisciplinary study of aging processes and older adult populations. Its research mandate extended across greater China and the Asian Pacific region, making it a regional focal point for aging-related scholarship. This geographic emphasis acknowledged the unique demographic, cultural, and policy contexts shaping aging experiences across diverse Asian societies—contexts that often differ significantly from those in Western nations where much gerontological theory and research originated.

### Operational Timeline
The organization's active period spanned approximately three years. It was formally established in April 1999, reflecting growing institutional attention to aging demographics at the turn of the millennium. Operations concluded in 2002 when the Centre was dissolved. Rather than abandoning the research mission, the University ensured continuity by replacing the original Centre with the Sau Po Centre on Ageing, University of Hong Kong—an organizational succession that preserved and potentially expanded gerontological research capacity.

### Location and Administrative Context
Headquarters for the Centre were situated in the Central and Western District of Hong Kong, placing it in one of the territory's most established urban areas. This location within Hong Kong—a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China—positioned researchers at the intersection of Chinese and international academic networks. The parent organization, University of Hong Kong, provided institutional legitimacy, administrative support, and access to academic resources essential for sustaining research activities.

### Bibliographic and Authority Records
The Centre maintains formal recognition across multiple international knowledge organization systems. The Library of Congress assigned authority record no2024009119, cataloging the entity as "University of Hong Kong. Centre on Ageing." The Virtual International Authority File (VIAF) system records the Centre under identifier 6737170868726622930009, while the Hong Kong Chinese Authority File maintains record 9811123422303406. These persistent identifiers ensure the Centre remains discoverable and properly attributed within global library catalogs and academic databases, preserving its scholarly legacy despite its relatively brief operational period.

### Classification as Research Institute
The Centre's classification as a research institute distinguishes it from related organizational types such as think tanks, scientific societies, or research centers that function as sub-units within larger structures. As a research institute, it represented an operational entity dedicated to hands-on investigation rather than membership-based activities or policy advocacy. This classification aligns with formal cataloging standards, including Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406 and Geonames feature code S.ITTR, which provide systematic frameworks for organizing and retrieving information about the organization.