MSSc in Public Policy (MPUP)

Conferences and Seminars

To help our students benefit from the latest research ideas and findings and their application in the real world, the Programme invites scholars and practitioners to give seminars and workshops on various topics related to public policy. These academic visitors hold seminar(s) and/or workshop(s) and meet students over informal lunches or dinners. The interaction and exchange of ideas, both during the seminars/workshops and the casual lunches/dinners afterwards, are stimulating and insightful. International scholars brought solid knowledge supported by systematic theories to our students.

The 20th Cross-Strait Public Administration Conference

Prof. Carlos Lo, Department head of Department of Government and Public Administration and MPUP Programme Director, chaired the 20th Cross-Strait Public Administration Conference. The conference took place from May 9 to May 11, 2024, with a focus on Sustainable Development Governance and Public Management Modernization.

Public Lecture by Prof. Gunter Schubert

Prof. Gunter Schubert, Chair Professor of Greater China Studies at the University of Tübingen visited campus on 12 October 2023 and delivered a public lecture on “How Western (and Chinese) Scholars Understand Chinese Policymaking in the Xi Jinping Era”.

Guest Lecture by Ms. Laurence Vandewalle

Ms. Laurence Vandewalle, Deputy Head of Office, EU Office to Hong Kong and Macao gave a guest lecture to students on “Public Policy and Governance in the European Union” on 10 March 2023.

Public Lecture by Prof. Gunter Schubert

Prof. Gunter Schubert, Professor of Greater China Studies at the University of Tübingen and Associate Research Professor at the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies at Freie Universität Berlin, visited our campus and shared a public lecture on “Squeezed between Scylla and Charybdis? The European Union’s Quest of Strategic Autonomy in Times of U.S.-China Showdown Politics” on 3 December 2021.

Talk by Professor Mary Feeney

Professor Mary Feeney, Associate Professor and Lincoln Professor of Ethics in Public Affairs, Associate Director of Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Studies, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University and also the Editor of the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory (JPART), delivered a talk on “Engaging through Technology: The Role of Administrative Culture and Mandates” on 29 March 2019.

Talk by Prof. Araral

On 11 March 2019, MPUP co-organized a talk with the BSSc Programme in Data Science and Policy Studies (DSPS) of CUHK, titled “AI and Job Losses: Competing Approaches of Estimation and Policy Implications – Using Singapore as a Case Study” and delivered by Professor Araral, Associate Professor and former Vice Dean for Research, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore (NUS).

Talk by Mr. Nicholas Kralev

Mr. Nicholas Kralev, author and former Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent, visited CUHK to deliver a talk on “U.S. Mid-term Elections: Post-election Analysis and Implications on Foreign Policy” on 16 November 2018.

Public Policy Forum on Economic Opportunities of Climate Change

MPUP co-organized the Public Policy Forum on “Economic Opportunities of Climate Change” on 1 November 2018 with the Policy Research of Hong Kong Institute of Asia Pacific Studies (HKIAPS), the Global China Research Programme, the Centre for Business Sustainability, and the Department of Geography and Resource Management of CUHK. Mr Kam-Sing Wong, Secretary for the Environment, HKSAR Government was invited as a keynote speaker to share with participants the dual-track approach taken by the Government in climate mitigation. Panellist from various fields were invited to present their ideas on the topic during the forum, including Professor Xu Yuan from CUHK, Professor Ambuj Sagar from Indian Institute of Technology, Dr Jeanne Ng, Chairman of Hong Kong Institute of Qualified Environmental Professionals, Mr Mark Clifford, Executive Director of Asia Business Council and Mrs Alexander Tracy, President of Hoi Ping Ventures. Speakers and distinguished guests from various fields shared their expertise contributed sound arguments for inviting more vigorous efforts in climate mitigation.

Talk by Mr Kelly Busby
Mr Kelly Busby, American Diplomat, U.S. Consulate to Hong Kong & Macau, came to campus to share with students on “U.S.‐HK Relations: U.S. Foreign Policy Towards Asia” on 6 February 2018.

Talk by Mr Damian Martinez Taguena
Mr Damian Martinez Taguena, Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong and Macao, met students on campus and gave a talk on “Mexico’s Foreign Policy and Asia Policy” on 2 February 2018.

Seminar by Prof. Kenneth Tan
Prof. Kenneth Tan from Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore delivered a seminar titled “Are Singapore’s Finest Years Coming to an End?” on 31 January 2018.

For more Conferences & Seminars held in the past, please visit this page.

Different kinds of workshops are organized to students throughout the year.
Here are some of them:

MPUP Professional Series: AO & EO Sharing Sessions
 
Three MPUP students, also serving Executive Officers, shared their experience of going through the selection interview and their current work life to familiarize participants with the recruitment process and expectation on the position.

Ms Annie TAM Kam-lan, GBS, JP, Former Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, was invited to share her career development in the government and prepare participants for taking up the challenges faced by the public sector. Participants were also exposed to the knowledge, strategies and skills to go through the HKSAR Government AO and EO recruitment process.

Workshop on CV and Cover Letter Writing

Dr Karl Holm, Independent Learning Centre, CUHK

In providing career support, MPUP invited Dr Karl Holm from CUHK Independent Learning Centre to offer a workshop on CV and cover letter writing. Students are benefitted from the practical skills introduced and the personal consultation sessions.

JRE Workshop

Ms Wong Ming Lok, a professional and experienced trainer

Ms. Wong was invited to give a series of workshop in on the skills and strategies for taking Joint Recruitment Examination (JRE), the entrance exam of joining AO/EO/TO grades of HKSAR Government. Participants valued the in-depth feedback on their performance at the mock test.

AO/ EO Workshop

Professor Wilson Wong, MPUP Programme Director and Associate Professor,
Department of Government and Public Administration, CUHK

Professor Wong gave a workshop on the gist of the selection process of AO/EO for HKSAR Government. Participants are benefited from the solid advice and interactive discussion.

In addition to the MSSc in Public Policy programme, our MPUP teaching team also offers short-term, non-degree executive training programme for current and prospective leaders in the public sector and relevant fields.
 
Our MPUP team consists of both prominent scholars and seasoned practitioners. Most of our teaching staff possess strong academic background with advanced degrees and academic training from world-renowned universities in social sciences including the University of Chicago, Harvard University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the University of Oxford, Princeton University, Syracuse University and the University of Toronto.
 
In addition to academic training, our MPUP team is an experienced team with indepth knowledge and broad exposure in real-world public policymaking and management. Many members of our MPUP team have served in key government agencies, think tanks, and international organizations in Hong Kong and overseas, including the Central Policy Unit, Brookings Institutions (USA), and the World Bank. Our teachers also include policymakers, including a former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and members of Hong Kong Government advisory committees.
 

Legislative Council of Hong Kong
 

Central Government Complex, Hong Kong
 

Brookings Institutions, USA
 
Our executive training programme would integrate theory with professional experience to equip students with both knowledge and skills on a wide range of policy areas which include:
 

• Public Policy Process
• Policy Environment and Actors
• Public Policy and Public Management in Hong Kong
• Civil Society, NGOs, and Public Governance
• Housing Policy
• Environment Policy
• Economic Policymaking and Global Finance
• Social Policy
• Mass Media and Crisis Management
• Social Media and Policymaking
• Ethics and Values in Public Policy

 
In terms of teaching method, our MPUP team uses interactive pedagogies including lectures, seminars, discussions and case studies from actual problems to facilitate the learning of our students and ensure that they can apply their learning in resolving complex policy problems.
 
To address different education and training needs, our executive training programme can also be customized to target at government agencies and other organisations of various backgrounds and nature. For further enquiries on short-term executive training programme, please contact us at email: publicpolicy@cuhk.edu.hk

Different kinds of workshops are organized to students throughout the year.
Here are some of them:

Public Policy Workshop on Governance of Grand Risks
  

  

It is co-organized by the MPUP Programme and Department of Geography and Resource Management. The workshop convened three prominent scholars to examine key issues on grand risk governance with theoretical and case analysis. A dedicated session for interactive discussion followed the presentations.
Speakers invited are Prof. Hideaki SHIROYAMA, Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo, Prof. Yee Kuang HENG, Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo and Prof. Jimin ZHAO, Associate Professor, Division of Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
  
  
Workshop on “How to Get Your Article Published in an International Peer Reviewed Journal”
  

It is conducted by Dr. Paul Collins, Hon. Advisory Editor of Public Administration & Development & Senior Hon. Fellow of International Development Department, University of Birmingham.
Participants got practical advice by interacting with the veteran editor.