Alumni

Working as a civil servant means that I have to deal with public-related issues frequently. As I come from science background, I would like to learn more about public policy to facilitate my work. After studied in MPUP, I can use different perspectives to analyze public-related issues and understand the process or norm of public policy formulation. I found the real case examples and in-class discussions beneficial. Apart from the above, MPUP also surprised me by its well-established alumni network.

The interdisciplinary course design of MPUP offers a variety of choices which allows me to explore my research interest. Indeed, MPUP helps me find the beauty and intelligible complexity of academic research and equips me with knowledge from politics, economics, to sociology and so on. Through the theoretical and practical training of public policy, I can analyze policy-related cases and research papers from different angles. The courses Economic Analysis of Public Policy as well as Values and Ethics in Public Policy remind me of the importance of a prudent policy design as a policymaker-to-be or a scholar in public management. Throughout the whole study journey, I realized that a good public policy is based on both solid theoretical debates and the use of scientific research methods. That is why I start my Ph.D. studies later on.

With abundant practical experience and profound academic knowledge, the MPUP teaching team, composed of distinguished professionals from think tanks, government and political parties, not only gives me a systematic understanding of public policy theory, but also provides me with creative and prospective insight into the way of analyzing social issues. In particular, most of their splendid lectures combining theories with policy practice in Hong Kong benefit me a lot.

MPUP is unique by being interdisciplinary – a critical criteria of nowadays public policy making. Its non-didactic teaching approach opens the door of intellectual exchange and bridges the gap of theory and practice. Back to study after working in the front line for two decades, I take from MPUP the insight to further pursue the path as a practitioner-scholar and, most importantly, an agent of change for the betterment of our future.

As a social worker, I felt the need to expand my knowledge in policy formulation as the living of the service users can be greatly improved by the refinement of related policy. As the Corporate Development Manager of an NGO, I have to be sensitive to the impact of various policies on both NGO and the service users. The course ‘NGO and the Government’ emphasizes on the interactions among NGO, the government, political parties and other social groups. It enriches my understanding of how theory and practice of public policy impact on NGO in the local context. The programme emphasizes the application of concepts on real cases and it strikes the balance between theory and practice. Through different learning activities, we are trained to think intensively and analyze public policy problems from different perspectives. More importantly, the programme emphasizes the relationship between public policies and the values and ethics underlying them, which provides justification for the legitimacy of policies. It facilitates our analysis of policy in a deeper level.

I majored in Engineering during my undergraduate studies. MPUP programme provides me with the best platform of interdisciplinary learning to foster my critical analysis on global policy issues. More importantly, I am not only exposed to essential knowledge in policymaking, but also lots of opportunities outside classroom, for having intellectual exchange of ideas with scholars around the globe.

Wide variety of courses, vibrant composition of class and down-to-earth interaction between students and teaching scholars – the MPUP programme extended my vision to different policy issues of concern. As a graduate in environmental studies, the MPUP programme equipped me with the general “policy analysing toolkit” that can be applied to other policy domains beyond the environmental field. The interdisciplinary design of the MPUP programme provides comprehensive training to examine policies from multiple perspectives. It offered flexibility in choosing electives according to my own academic interest. In addition, MPUP is an ideal destination to develop intellectual capacity in public policy. The featured MPUP seminars allowed me to learn from outstanding scholars in different fields. The programme has enhanced my research skills and comprehension towards the policy dilemma, which enables me to transform into an all-round policy researcher.

MPUP Programme truly enhanced my understanding of policies in theoretical framework and policies in reality. In one year, we learned policy making process, compared different practices in various countries and discussed current policy debates. Impact of MPUP goes beyond studying policies in the university. It shapes my mindset of approaching and analyzing complex problems at work. Besides, studying in a different environment with my energetic classmates, my original perspectives were always challenged and new concepts blew my mind. Be open-minded and learn to agree to disagreements, you will enjoy a fruitful year in CUHK.