Address by SUSS President, Professor Tan Tai Yong at GIF 2025

Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education; and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration

Friends from the international community

Esteemed judges, finalists, guests, partners,

Friends and colleagues

1. Good afternoon and thank you all for joining us at the Grand Finals of Pitch for Good.

2. I would like to begin by expressing our deepest appreciation to Ngee Ann Kongsi, whose steadfast support through the Ngee Ann Kongsi Social Impact Hub has played a vital role in enabling our shared mission to turn ideas into impact.

3. Since its inception, the Hub has trained over 250 individuals through our Venture Builder Programme and supported 34 startups through the NAK-SUSS Impact Grant – driving purpose-driven innovation not just in Singapore, but across Southeast Asia.

4. The Grand Finals of our Pitch for Good competition showcase innovative, age-inclusive solutions addressing the challenges and opportunities of ageing.

5. Pitch for Good is more than a competition – it's the outcome of months of effort, learning, and a drive to make a positive impact by understanding and addressing real needs.

6. Innovation and empathy must go hand in hand if we want to create social good that lasts.

A Regional Movement with Local Relevance

7. Across Southeast Asia and beyond, societies are responding to ageing through unique cultural and community lenses.

8. In Indonesia, care is deeply rooted in strong family ties. In Thailand, startups are designing assistive tech tailored for rural communities. And in Vietnam, health systems are being reimagined to better serve their changing demographics.

9. These cases illustrate the value of integrating local knowledge and social norms to develop effective solutions. As an institution committed to social impact, SUSS is honoured to contribute to the region's ongoing advancement.

10. Beyond Southeast Asia, we have partnered with institutions such as the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the University of British Columbia,

National Taiwan Normal University, and National Cheng Kung University on various research projects in gerontology.

11. An example of this collaboration is between HKU and St Luke’s ElderCare, where immersive VR technology is being explored to support reminiscence therapy aimed at assisting older adults and their caregivers in reconnecting through memory and shared experiences.

12. We are also collaborating with China Gansu Wuwei Tumour Hospital and Japan’s Groove X to study how social robots can enhance the quality of life and care for cancer patients, offering both practical support and emotional comfort.

13. These partnerships suggest that we innovate best when we innovate together – through mutual respect, shared purpose, and cross-cultural insight.

The Role of SUSS in Growing the Ecosystem

14. At SUSS, we focus on learning and innovation with real-world relevance, especially in ageing, through education, applied research, and enterprise development.

15. For instance, our Designing Impactful Ventures (DIVE) Programme offers older adults and representatives from non-profit organisations hands-on entrepreneurial training and mentorship, empowering them to develop solutions that address ageing-related challenges.

16. Emerging from this ecosystem, startups such as Sentinan are creating smart and accessible tools to improve heart health assessments. Their ‘Smart Stethoscope’ hardware enhances sound clarity and connects seamlessly with an app, making it easy for clinicians and caregivers to use both in clinics and during home visits.

17. Powered by AI, Sentinan’s platform can quickly detect heart and lung conditions, enabling early intervention and reducing unnecessary hospital visits. The platform also includes an interactive heart sounds library to support medical training.

18. By addressing real needs with empathy and insight, Sentinan has truly demonstrated how purpose-driven innovation can scale and create meaningful impact in eldercare.

19. These efforts foster connections across generations, challenge stereotypes about ageing, and include more voices in the conversation, thereby creating an innovation ecosystem where older adults are supported and empowered.

Pitch for Good

20. Pitch for Good is an extension of this mission. It is a platform designed to highlight ventures in the field, emphasising that innovation in ageing involves contributions from many stakeholders.

21. As you listen to our finalists, you’ll see their ideas arose from firsthand experience, attentiveness, and genuine care for those they design for.

22. Their stories and experiences remind us of what’s possible when we innovate with empathy, act with purpose, and put people at the centre. These finalists represent the best of our region in three P’s:

• People-first innovation
• Purpose-driven action
• Possibilities for all

23. To all our finalists, I extend my heartiest congratulations. Your work is already making a difference. And to everyone here, thank you for believing in this cause and being part of the movement.

24. Let us continue to work together to build a world where ageing is not just accommodated, but embraced – as a time of potential, contribution, and connection.

25. Thank you and I wish you all a meaningful afternoon ahead.