The Department of Asian and Policy Studies (APS)* organised five sessions for the ‘Social Entrepreneurship Series’ in December 2021 to promote the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Social Entrepreneurship and Development Studies [BSocSc(SEDS)], a new senior-year entry programme to be launched in the 2022/23 academic year. This series of seminars is supported by the University’s Central Reserve Allocation Committee (CRAC) Fund.
Social entrepreneurship is part of a fast-growing movement that utilises business tools to tackle pressing social problems and promote social causes. To encourage social entrepreneurship, the Hong Kong Government created the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund in 2013. This mission is shared by the commercial world. Over the past decade or so, many businesses and philanthropic foundations have also founded incubators and startup funds. According to a study conducted by the HSBC Social Enterprise Business Centre (2021), the number of social enterprise projects has increased from 269 in 2007 to 659 in 2021.
Against this backdrop, APS* is thrilled to have invited six experts in social entrepreneurship to share their experiences and thoughts with our university members and prospective BSocSc(SEDS) students. They are Dr Yanto Chandra, Associate Professor from the Department of Applied Social Sciences and the Founding Director of the Centre for Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Mr Francis Ngai, Founder and CEO of Social Ventures Hong Kong (SVhk); Mr Swadiq Khan, Founder of Chrisly Café; Mr Howard Ling Ho-wan, MH, Chief Consultant of HKCSS Social Enterprise Business Centre and Convenor of Artificial Intelligence & Social Intelligence Alliance; Dr Norah Wang, Research Fellow of the Centre for Civil Society and Governance of The University of Hong Kong; and Mr Timothy Ma, MH, JP, RSW, FCRP, Founding Executive Director of the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association.
The series was well received, attracting over 300 participants in total. Dr Xiao Hanyu, Assistant Professor of APS* and Programme Leader of Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Social Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, said: “Social entrepreneurship is one of the most important parts of the modern social economy. We hope by organising scholarly activities like the Social Entrepreneurship Series, we can stimulate more discussions about how social enterprises can provide innovative ideas to help solve increasingly complex social problems that defy easy solutions.”
Those who are interested in the series can rewatch the sessions here.
*The Department of Asian and Policy Studies and Department of Social Sciences have been merged to form the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies from 1 July 2023.
Hong Kong has been embroiled in what can be described as 'identity politics' ever since reunification in 1997. The political confrontation in 2019 was a watershed, where the pro-local identity shot up to almost 78% by year-end according to some polls, before coming down gradually. The central government is very wary of nascent separatism. In addition to growing emphasis on national security and national education, a 'return of hearts' （人心回歸）to the nation is also urged. Is 'identity' the real issue driving political polarization and conflict under 'one country, two systems', or is it more a framed articulation of political contestation grounded in multiple grievances and anxieties? This policy dialogue seeks to tease out the critical issues and to separate myths from realities. The three speakers all have long years of participation in Hong Kong's pre-1997 transition and post-1997 governance.
This year, we have offered the Master of Public Policy and Management Full Entrance Scholarship Award to two students, Mr Kaewlungka Pakin, Pipo and Ms Tanaoun Jeerawan, Gina. The scholarship covers 100% of the programme’s tuition fee, residential subsidy, and food. Today, we would like to take this chance to share their academic journey with you all. Let’s hear what they say!
Kaewlungka Pakin, Pipo – Master of Public Policy and Management Entrance Scholarship Award
Born and raised in Thailand, Pipo received his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration with Second Class Honors at Chiang Mai University. As an undergraduate, he joined the 5th National Political Science and Public Administration Academic Conference On “State and Challenge After New Normal” in Thailand as a Research Presenter. He also received the Academic Excellence Award for two consecutive years, in his sophomore and junior year. After graduating from Chiang Mai University, he had ambitions to pursue further studies and now seeks to apply his knowledge to contribute to society.
From Thailand to Hong Kong: Hold on to every chance
I was interested in politics and policies from the time of my upbringing, as my family used to discuss global issues with me and taught me about politics and policies. When I began to learn more about public policy, I discovered that I am more interested in social issues and policy analytics. I noticed that the Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) at the Education University of Hong Kong could fulfill my interests and provide extensive policy courses, especially in the Asian context. Moreover, the program not only covers the public policy field but also the field of organizational management, including human resources, financial management, and leadership. Students can choose the specific specializations based on their preferences, and I find this to be very satisfying as I continue to explore my own interests and career ambitions.
No Pain No Gain: Always be ready
To be honest, I have faced a few challenges during my studies, since I am not familiar with all relevant topics. Thus, I need to be well prepared for every lecture to avoid falling behind. No pain, no gain. Before classes, I would read more materials and journal articles provided by the lecturers or that I found on my own. In addition, I also appreciate our teachers. They are so specialized and knowledgeable. During the lecture, we are encouraged to discuss and share our opinions to enhance our understanding of the topic. This is a great way to absorb knowledge. I am also very impressed with the extracurricular activities provided by MPPM. MPPM provided an academic workshop before the first semester started. This workshop helped me develop the skills to write an academic paper appropriately and correctly without plagiarism, which is very important for our assignments.
Words to prospective students: “Do not hesitate”
“Do not hesitate”. If you are interested in policy and looking for a good place that provides a comprehensive course of study, the MPPM at EdUHK would be a suitable programme for you. I encourage you to read the course syllabi before the semester and the suggested materials before the lectures, as this will help you be well prepared. Also, start your class assignments as early as possible to reduce the workload and ensure sufficient time to make revisions.
Jeerawan TANAOUN , Gina-Master of Public Policy and Management Entrance Scholarship Award
Gina was born in Thailand and received her bachelor’s degree in Public Administration with First Class Honors from Chiang Mai University. In the same year, she participated in two internships that helped her better apply her professional knowledge to deal with problems encountered in her work. After graduation, Gina first worked as an English teacher in a private school for one and a half years. To enrich her international experience and know more about Western culture, she traveled to Europe and worked as an Au pair for two years. Working abroad encouraged Gina to step out of her comfort zone and compelled her to develop a new goal for an academic career.
Never regret: Explore yourself to become a better person.
In developing my professional preparation, I have participated in various research projects to enhance my comprehension of what I have learned through practice. In my junior year, I joined a project entitled Smart Trash Can as a project manager, in which I helped raise awareness about waste separation. In 2019, I joined the YSEALI (Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative programme) at the University of Montana, USA. This program taught me firsthand how the US government deals with national resource issues – from the issuance of policies to the implementation of management. My team was awarded funding to implement our project – known as the Mangrove Ranger project – in Myanmar. This unforgettable experience made me realize that implementing policies is the foundation of social development. At the same time, it also convinced me to continue my academic journey.
I am eager to learn more about public policy and management in order to equip myself to adapt to an ever-changing society. I came across the MPPM program, which provides students with skills training in policy analysis and evaluation, strategic communications, project analysis, public governance, public sector management, and development. The curriculum settings of the MPPM well matched my interests and ambitions. As a research-based department, APS is home to many experts in international relations and public policy. This solid academic atmosphere deeply attracted me. Fortunately, the department offered me a full entrance scholarship, which gave me a great chance to improve my academic and research skills.
The learning style between Hong Kong and Thailand is quite different. In Thailand, we are encouraged to focus more on lectures in our learning. However, in Hong Kong, we need to do more brainstorming, which requires us to think more critically. The teaching methods of the APS professors are more practically oriented. They aim to inspire students’ thinking and mobilize our learning initiative and enthusiasm. Furthermore, the quiet and sereneness of the EdUHK campus attract me to focus more on my studies. The campus is not very big, but it is fully equipped and the surrounding mountains provide a very peaceful and lovely setting for education. All the facilities are convenient for me, which helped me study and live better in Hong Kong.
Expanding career development from social policy studies
Social policy is a more specific field of study than my undergraduate major in public administration, as it includes social services, non-profit organizations, aging, and other topics. I am keen to learn how different countries adopt policies to address social problems. Thus, I enjoyed the course Comparative Social Policy in Asia the most. It encouraged me to see different perspectives of social policy across countries in Asia. Dr Alex Jingwei HE is a young and promising researcher, and he encouraged me a lot in his class. Dr Alex often gives us some fundamental questions to discuss and helps us analyze and explain social policy issues from various perspectives based on student experiences and the realities of social policy. The explanation from the simple to the deep not only strengthens our understanding of the subject but also cultivates our research abilities. I was impressed by this course and I am now extremely interested in NGOs, a career setting where I have not yet worked. I plan to fully utilize my new knowledge of social policy to help more people.
Another course that impressed me is Creating Shared Value and Social Entrepreneurship. This course helped me understand that social entrepreneurship is an entrepreneurial model that solves social problems and promotes social progress through the concept of shared value. Dr Glenn Kwok-hung HUI is knowledgeable and rigorous in teaching, which pushed me to consider more in-depth reflections. I was able to form more critical and creative thinking skills in this class.
Life is a journey to experience, learn, and enjoy.
As an international student, I must overcome language barriers and cultural differences. I have only experienced Southeast Asian culture and European culture. This is my first time contacting Chinese culture, which makes me feel both nervous and excited. In addition, I realize I should fully use this vital chance to open my mind and observe how people think about the same issue from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Meanwhile, MPPM has always valued having a diversity of student backgrounds, and I am fortunate to have met several seniors from Thailand. I received some advice from them that helped me adapt quickly to the unfamiliar environment. It is essential to learn from those who have had experience.
When the fifth wave of COVID-19 suddenly hit HK, we switched from face-to-face to online learning. This was a big challenge for me for the first 2-3 weeks. I adjusted for quite a while to become comfortable with the online mode. Now I can be more concentrated on my studying than on my surroundings. I will also spend time together with my friends to get close to nature and release my stress in my spare time.
Words to prospective students: Be positive and enjoy the process.
In this unexpected world, do not be afraid to try the unknown. Be positive and cherish every opportunity to exercise yourself. Even if you fail, you can go further by learning from each failure and trying to do better next time. Meanwhile, I highly recommend that when you encounter problems with studying or culture, do not hesitate to seek help from someone and talk with each other. This can often bring some valuable new insights.
This year, we have offered the Master of International Relations and Development Taught Master Excellence Scholarship to two students, Ms Ding Xin and Ms Zhang Yu. The scholarship covers 50% of the programme’s tuition fee. Today, we would like to take this chance to share their academic journey with you all.
DING XIN – Master of International Relations and Development Taught Master Excellence Scholarship
Back to school AGAIN: Financial PR elite becoming a new rising star in International Relations
International relations and geopolitics had long been considered as major factors that cause volatility in the financial markets. That makes the demand for talent in international relations soars. Ms Ding Xin, our student of Master of International Relations and Development (MIRD) with the Department of Asian and Policy Studies (APS) at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), who return to campus after seven years of financial PR working experience and now starting her academic odyssey in the field of international relations also the awardee of the “Master of International Relations and Development Taught Master Excellence Scholarship”.
MIRD: "right time, right place, right person"
I have graduated with a degree in Journalism. After working as a financial reporter, I found my interest in becoming a financial PR, which provides consulting services for HK listed enterprises on overseas media relations and investors relations. I have worked in this industry for over seven years, and the clients I worked with are from banking, financial, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. Before I decided to return to school, I was the director of a financial public relations firm.
I noted that international relations and geopolitics had become a significant cause of the volatility in the financial markets. Among the cases that my team and I have handled, there are more and more issues related to this that we have never encountered before. I feel the desire to gain more knowledge about international relations and geopolitics. It has always been my dream to go back to school for further education since I had already achieved my career goals before I turned 30. Thus, I decided to pursue my master's degree in EdUHK. Many people thought it was too risky to give up my steady rising career. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if this bold decision was the right one until I became one of the students of MIRD. I was apprehensive that I would not be able to adapt to the campus environment. Since I am an interdisciplinary student, this was my first time returning to campus after seven years. Thankfully, the campus life has soothed me: rushing to the U-shuttle bus, finishing group assignments with lovely classmates, discussing with our helpful professors, every moment could prove that my worries were uncalled-for, each memory is delightful. Studying MIRD in EdUHK is genuinely a "right time, right place, right person" decision for my life.
Learning experience under covid-19 outbreak - "Sweet are the uses of adversity"
Due to the covid-19 outbreak again in Hong Kong, the university has adopted the online mode for the second semester. For me, it was a valuable and interesting experience. The university requires us to have the camera on so that to record the attendance. I think that was a very responsible decision, as I found that professors could keep track of our progress through our reactions and facial expressions, to see if we really understood what they were talking. And I really appreciate the required readings, our professional professors carefully select those to emphasize our learning outcome.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to our professors. They had a diverse academic background; different distinctive and inclusive world views. Interestingly, they might have different answers to the same question, that's how we learn about "critical thinking". Dr Lee taught me to be open-minded for change; Dr Kelvin showed me lessons from history and stopped us from making the same old mistakes; Dr Yin used mathematics and statistics to make international relations more rational. Dr He always used a lot of case studies to illustrate issues. APS allied a community to establish a plentiful program that I enjoyed the most. It is pretty stressful to study under the pandemic, so Work-Life Balance is essential, whether in your study or work. Sports can help me release stress, I love hiking, swimming, dancing, Pilates, etc... I have two international scuba diving licenses. Before the pandemic, I would go to various islands and as far as Tonga in the southern hemisphere to see whales to release my stress. I also really enjoy swimming. Last year, I joined the New World Harbour Race, successfully tackling the 1km route across Victoria Harbour, which is the most exciting thing I had in 2021 apart from getting an offer from MIRD. 
Words to prospective students: Put My Learning to Good Use
When I returned to school, I fought with all my might because I had a sense of "not wanting to leave regrets again" and stopped repeating mistakes from my undergraduate studies. Eventually, I won this scholarship. If I can do it, so can you. Life is about never stopping learning and then breaking the glass ceiling. The novel in your name will be either uneventful or spectacular, it's up to you. I am looking forward to "put my learning to good use" and continuing to contribute to companies listed or operating abroad.
Zhang Yu – Master of International Relations and Development Taught Master Excellence Scholarship
Back to school AGAIN: Eagerness to convey China's voice
China is now making a tremendous effort to increase its international outreach by "Telling China's stories, and conveying China's voice". These stories tell the reformation and development of China and how China is involved in global governance. Ms Zhang Yu, our student of Master of International Relations and Development (MIRD) with the Department of Asian and Policy Studies (APS) at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), has eager to use her power to convey China's voice to the rest of the world and assist domestic people in gaining a more convenient and comprehensive understanding of the world. She is also the awardee of the “Master of International Relations, and Development Taught Master Excellence Scholarship”, has a lot to say.
Interdisciplinary: From Arabic to International Relation
I received my bachelor's degree in 2020 from the University of International Business and Economics, in which I majored in Arabic. I maintained a positive and active learning attitude throughout my undergraduate studies to solidify my professional foundation. While maintaining an average GPA of 3.8+ in my junior and senior years, I also participate in various scientific research projects to enhance my understanding and comprehension of what I've learned through practice. After graduation, in order to find my career path that matches my interest, I tried a variety of internships in consulting, product, editing, and so on. The internships had definitely broadened my horizons. I feel a strong desire to work in the international news sector during my internship. On the one hand, I hope to use my meager power to convey China's voice to the rest of the world. On the other, I hope to use my professional experience to assist domestic people in gaining a more convenient and comprehensive understanding of the world. I realized that mastering a foreign language would not be enough to achieve these goals. Language is more of a tool than a profession, and that to use it effectively, I need to arm myself with more systematic and scientific knowledge. In order to gain a more systematic and neutral understanding of national policies and international events, and to scientifically and reasonably analyze the motivations behind the international actors, a large number of national relations theories and objective research methods must be accumulated. After a thorough investigation, I discovered that the curriculum settings of the MIRD matched my interests and notion. APS is gathering with talents, with many experts in international relations and public policy. This vibrant academic atmosphere drew me in, and I eventually pursued further education at APS, EdUHK.
Adopting a new study mode for Master's studies under the pandemic
The most challenging transition was changing my identity from undergraduate to postgraduate student. Passive learning by following the teachers' teaching guidance and homework assignments was common to me. However, I needed to be more active and proactive as a graduate student. Especially turning to the online teaching mode on the second semester, I needed to face the challenge of occasional disconnect network interruptions also needed to overcome my inertia. In the postgraduate stage, the speed at which my efforts are translated into visible results is much slower. As a result, I need to change my impatient mentality and persevere in daily accumulation. When faced with a screen alone, as opposed to brainstorming with classmates in the classroom, there is bound to be a situation of desertion in the case of online classes. Here are some effective methods to enhance productivity and efficiency, (i) Planning: before the start of each week, I make my plan to ensure that I can participate in the course and complete the homework on time. (ii) Preparation: preview the lessons 1-2 days before, using the PPT or reading list provided by the teacher to dabble and research the course content ahead of time so that I could listen to the class with my own questions and this would avoid unintentional slips. Above all, the professors always inspire me a lot. Dr Siu-yau Lee was the teacher who impressed me most in the first semester. He is a young and promising researcher. We focused on various social developments worldwide in his courses, and we discussed how to use the interactions between national states and civil society to address these issues. He has two main characteristics that particularly impressed me. He always starts his class with interesting questions. We can easily understand complicated concepts by solving these minor problems. Also, he would carefully give suggestions based on each group presentation's content, format, and report process, allowing us to continue enriching our speech skills in a specific direction.
Dr Weiwen Yin is most impressed me in the second semester. He is an erudite and knowledgeable scholar. This year, I took two courses from him, and he introduced the most important game theory knowledge to us. He always encouraged us to think about the relationship between the state system, history, and the economy in the political economy class. Dr Yin is so patient with us, He would spend a large amount of time answering each student's questions after each class, assisting us in sorting out and providing targeted suggestions on thesis writing and group presentation. He also prepared many papers involving data analysis for us this semester. Combined with his lectures, I gradually overcame my fear of numbers and calculating and even developed an interest in quantitative analysis.
Words to prospective students: "It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting”
It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting" is a sentence from the book "The Alchemist" that I appreciate and really want to share with you all. May you always be in awe of the unknown, and may you always remain curious and humble, then the universe will conspire to help you. This one-year experience has broadened my knowledge and allowed me to fully communicate with many excellent experts and classmates, laying the groundwork for my future career.
After graduation, I plan to follow my heart and work in the international media sector. I plan to fully utilize the knowledge of international theories that I gained in MIRD this year, as well as the language that I learned during my undergraduate studies. And do my best to convey a more objective and calm China's voice.
18 February 2022 marks the 3rd anniversary of the promulgation by the State Council of the "Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area". GBA has by now become the catchword whether in government, business or professional sectors. The Outline Plan sets out 5 big goals in strategic positioning: a vibrant world-class city cluster; a globally influential international innovation and technology hub; an important support pillar for the Belt and Road initiative; a showcase for in-depth cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong and Macao; and a quality living circle for living, working and travelling. Joint efforts in "going global" are emphasized, to enable the GBA to play a leading role in international cooperation. It is a tall order. This Policy Dialogue examines how Hong Kong can leverage its institutional strengths and key resources in taking advantages of the GBA platform to foster economic transformation and shape a stronger future. New opportunities emerge out of GBA integration and collaboration, but there also exist challenges and threats.
Dr Lina Vyas, Associate Professor with the Department of Asian and Policy Studies at the Education University University of Hong Kong has recently published an article on Policy and Society, entitled ‘“New normal” at work in a post-COVID world: work-life balance and labor markets’.
The COVID pandemic has disrupted the labor markets, the new working arrangements have challenged traditional labor relationship and work practices. What is the ‘new normal’? How has the pandemic impacted the work-life balance? Dr Lina Vyas urges the policymakers and business sector to work together to create a more sustainable model for “new normal” work practices.
Read more: https://doi.org/10.1093/polsoc/puab011
According to the latest 2021 Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey, Hong Kong continues to top the world's 92 metropolitan housing markets as the least affordable. Its house price-to-income ratio is 20.7, compared to Singapore's 4.7. Despite lengthy debates over the past decade, with various attempts to manage demand and increase land supply, and recent urge by the Central Government to have the problem tackled with determination, housing affordability remains lagging seriously behind needs and expectations. Is it just a land problem? What about planning restrictions and community politics? Can Hong Kong learn from Singapore? This policy dialogue re-examines these critical questions, with some insight from the Singapore experience.