{"id":2267,"date":"2026-02-10T15:53:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T07:53:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/whats-special-about-gpad\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T15:53:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T07:53:43","slug":"whats-special-about-gpad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/sc\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/whats-special-about-gpad\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s Special about GPAD?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section block-name=\"banner\" class=\"relative\">\n    <div class=\"bg-banner-gradient w-full h-full absolute left-0 top-0 z-[1]\"><\/div>\n\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/wp-content\/themes\/cuhk-sgps\/public\/images\/our-mission\/mission-banner.png\" alt=\"BSSc in Government and Public Administration (GPAD)\"\n        class=\"w-full aspect-[1920\/480] object-cover min-h-[400px]\" \/>\n\n    <div class=\"container py-5 md:py-10 lg:py-[60px] w-full h-full flex items-end absolute left-0 bottom-0 z-[2]\">\n        <div class=\"container-lg\">\n            <h1 class=\"heading1 text-white pb-4 lg:pb-6\">\n                BSSc in Government and Public Administration (GPAD)            <\/h1>\n\n            <div class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap breadcrumbs-row gap-3\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/sc\/\" class=\"opacity-60 [&#038;.active]:opacity-100\">\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\">\n                        <path\n                            d=\"M9.99863 19V14H13.9986V19C13.9986 19.55 14.4486 20 14.9986 20H17.9986C18.5486 20 18.9986 19.55 18.9986 19V12H20.6986C21.1586 12 21.3786 11.43 21.0286 11.13L12.6686 3.59997C12.2886 3.25997 11.7086 3.25997 11.3286 3.59997L2.96863 11.13C2.62863 11.43 2.83863 12 3.29863 12H4.99863V19C4.99863 19.55 5.44863 20 5.99863 20H8.99863C9.54863 20 9.99863 19.55 9.99863 19Z\"\n                            fill=\"white\" \/>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/a>\n\n                \n                <svg class=\"opacity-60 [&#038;.active]:opacity-100 active\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"20\"\n                    height=\"20\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"none\">\n                    <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\n                        d=\"M5.83594 15L10.8359 9.99996L5.83594 4.99996L7.5026 3.33329L14.1693 9.99996L7.5026 16.6666L5.83594 15Z\"\n                        fill=\"white\" \/>\n                <\/svg>\n\n                <p class=\"text-body-1 text-white opacity-100 active\">\n                    What\u2019s Special about GPAD?                <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<style>\n    .sidebar-wrapper ul,\n    .sidebar-wrapper li {\n        list-style: none !important;\n        margin: 0 !important;\n        padding: 0 !important;\n    }\n\n    .sidebar-wrapper li::before,\n    .sidebar-wrapper li::after {\n        display: none !important;\n        content: none !important;\n    }\n\n    .sidebar-link.active {\n        background-color: #D1F0E9;\n        color: var(--wp--preset--color--primary, #005A54);\n    }\n\n    .sidebar-toggle.active-parent,\n    .sidebar-sub-toggle.active-parent {\n        background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--primary, #005A54);\n        color: white;\n    }\n\n    .sidebar-toggle img,\n    .sidebar-sub-toggle img {\n        transition: transform 0.3s ease, filter 0.3s ease, opacity 0.3s ease;\n    }\n\n    .sidebar-toggle.active-parent>img,\n    .sidebar-sub-toggle.active-parent>img {\n        filter: brightness(0) invert(1);\n        transform: rotate(180deg);\n        opacity: 1;\n    }\n<\/style>\n\n<section  class=\"programme-container container py-[60px] md:py-[100px]\">\n    <div class=\"container-lg\">\n        <div class=\"flex flex-col md:flex-row gap-10 xl:gap-20\">\n\n            <div class=\"md:flex-[0_1_25%] md:max-w-[25%]\">\n                <div\n                    class=\"bg-[#F9F9F7] sidebar-wrapper sticky top-24 transition-all duration-300 rounded-sm overflow-hidden shadow-sm\">\n\n                    <div class=\"p-5 bg-grey border-b border-primary\">\n                        <h6 class=\"heading6 text-secondary font-bold leading-tight\">\n                            BSSc in Government and Public Administration (GPAD)                        <\/h6>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                                            <ul class=\"flex flex-col w-full\">\n                            \n                                                                    <li class=\"border-b border-gray-200 last:border-0 w-full block\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/whats-special-about-gpad\/\" class=\"sidebar-link w-full px-5 py-4 flex items-center justify-between transition-colors sidebar-main-link text-dark\">\n                                            <span class=\"heading6 font-bold text-left\">What\u2019s Special about GPAD?<\/span>\n                                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/li>\n                                                                \n                                                                    <li class=\"border-b border-gray-200 last:border-0 w-full block\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/admissions\/\" class=\"sidebar-link w-full px-5 py-4 flex items-center justify-between transition-colors sidebar-main-link text-dark\">\n                                            <span class=\"heading6 font-bold text-left\">Admissions<\/span>\n                                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/li>\n                                                                \n                                                                    <li class=\"border-b border-gray-200 last:border-0 w-full block\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/major-programme\/\" class=\"sidebar-link w-full px-5 py-4 flex items-center justify-between transition-colors sidebar-main-link text-dark\">\n                                            <span class=\"heading6 font-bold text-left\">Major Programme<\/span>\n                                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/li>\n                                                                \n                                                                    <li class=\"border-b border-gray-200 last:border-0 w-full block\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/minor-programme\/\" class=\"sidebar-link w-full px-5 py-4 flex items-center justify-between transition-colors sidebar-main-link text-dark\">\n                                            <span class=\"heading6 font-bold text-left\">Minor Programme<\/span>\n                                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/li>\n                                                                \n                                                                    <li class=\"border-b border-gray-200 last:border-0 w-full block\">\n                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/3w-exchange-programme\/\" class=\"sidebar-link w-full px-5 py-4 flex items-center justify-between transition-colors sidebar-main-link text-dark\">\n                                            <span class=\"heading6 font-bold text-left\">3W Exchange Programme<\/span>\n                                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/li>\n                                                                \n                                                                    <li class=\"hasAccordion group border-b border-gray-200 last:border-0 w-full block\">\n                                        <button type=\"button\" data-href=\"#\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"sidebar-menu-5\" class=\"sidebar-toggle w-full px-5 py-4 flex items-center justify-between transition-all duration-200 cursor-pointer text-dark hover:bg-light-green hover:text-primary\">\n                                            <span class=\"heading6 font-bold text-left pointer-events-none\">Student Life<\/span>\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/wp-content\/themes\/cuhk-sgps\/public\/icons\/arrow-down.svg\" alt=\"\" class=\"w-4 h-4 object-contain opacity-60 pointer-events-none\">\n                                        <\/button>\n\n                                        <ul id=\"sidebar-menu-5\" class=\"sidebar-sub-menu bg-light-grey hidden w-full pb-2\">\n                                            \n                                                                                                    <li class=\"w-full block\">\n                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/gpa-debating-team\/\" class=\"sidebar-link block w-full pl-8 pr-5 py-3 heading6 font-medium flex items-center gap-3 transition-all text-dark sidebar-main-link\">\n                                                            <span class=\"dot-indicator w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full flex-shrink-0 bg-dark transition-colors\"><\/span>\n                                                             GPA Debating Team                                                         <\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                \n                                                \n                                                                                                    <li class=\"w-full block\">\n                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/sgps.visibleone.dev\/bssc-in-government-and-public-administration-gpad\/student-activities\/\" class=\"sidebar-link block w-full pl-8 pr-5 py-3 heading6 font-medium flex items-center gap-3 transition-all text-dark sidebar-main-link\">\n                                                            <span class=\"dot-indicator w-1.5 h-1.5 rounded-full flex-shrink-0 bg-dark transition-colors\"><\/span>\n                                                            Student Activities                                                        <\/a>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                \n                                                                                        <\/ul>\n                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <\/ul>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"md:flex-[0_1_75%] md:max-w-[75%]\">\n                <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<div  class=\"program-tab-content section-block mb-16 scroll-mt-32\">\n\n    <h3 class=\"heading3 border-l-[6px] border-primary pl-5 mb-5 lg:mb-8\">\n        What\u2019s Special about GPAD?    <\/h3>\n\n    <div class=\"custom-content custom-content-debating-team prose max-w-none text-dark\">\n        <p>The Government and Public Administration (GPA) programme provides all-round training in political science. The subject is comprised of three primary specialisms that span the areas of politics, public administration and international relations. The programme offers courses that cover core areas such as political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and public administration. While a large proportion of courses focus on the Greater China region, the programme is renowned for its diversity of courses that encompasses the area of global politics. These courses cover fundamental political, economic and social issues in different parts of the world and enable students to foster an enhanced global vision and mindset for the future.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s Special about GPAD?<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Diversified Curriculum\u00a0\u2013 Courses in 6 fields: Comparative Politics, Greater China, International Relations, Political Theory, Public Administration and Policy, and Professional Practicum, providing comprehensive academic and practical training.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Small Group Discussions\u00a0\u2013 We emphasize small class teaching and discussion, using tutorials where students present and discuss their ideas, improving their presentation skills and independent thinking.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Rich Student Life\u00a0\u2013 We are the only undergraduate programme that has its own debate team. Its annual Intervarsity Political Science Debate with University of Hong Kong has a history of more than 40 years. We have a rich tradition of close teacher-student relations. Teachers and students freely interact about academic queries, social affairs and issues in life.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Theoretical and Practical\u00a0\u2013 Our solid academic training makes it possible for our alumni to take up academic and research positions in local and overseas renowned universities. We also provide professional practicum and internship opportunities, including the Co-Intelligence and the student-initiated Star Project.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<script>\n    document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function () {\n        const allToggles = document.querySelectorAll(\".sidebar-toggle, .sidebar-sub-toggle\");\n        const allLinks = document.querySelectorAll(\".sidebar-link\");\n        const tabContents = document.querySelectorAll(\".program-tab-content\");\n\n        function resetLinks() {\n            allLinks.forEach(l => {\n                l.classList.remove(\"active\", \"text-primary\");\n                l.classList.add(\"text-dark\");\n\n                const dot = l.querySelector(\".dot-indicator, span.rounded-full\");\n                if (dot) {\n                    dot.classList.remove(\"bg-primary\");\n                    if (l.closest('.sidebar-grand-menu')) {\n                        dot.classList.add(\"bg-transparent\", \"border\", \"border-dark\");\n                    } else {\n                        dot.classList.add(\"bg-dark\");\n                    }\n                }\n\n                if (l.parentElement.classList.contains('border-b')) {\n                    l.classList.remove(\"bg-primary\", \"text-white\");\n                }\n            });\n        }\n\n        function activateLink(linkElement) {\n            resetLinks();\n            linkElement.classList.add(\"active\");\n            linkElement.classList.remove(\"text-dark\");\n\n            const dot = linkElement.querySelector(\".dot-indicator, span.rounded-full\");\n            if (dot) {\n                dot.classList.remove(\"bg-dark\", \"bg-transparent\", \"border\", \"border-dark\");\n                dot.classList.add(\"bg-primary\");\n            }\n\n            if (linkElement.parentElement.classList.contains('border-b')) {\n                linkElement.classList.add(\"bg-primary\", \"text-white\");\n            }\n        }\n\n        function openAccordion(btn) {\n            const menu = btn.nextElementSibling;\n            if (!menu) return;\n\n            const parentUl = btn.closest('ul');\n            if (parentUl) {\n                const siblingButtons = Array.from(parentUl.children).map(li => li.querySelector('button')).filter(b => b && b !== btn);\n                siblingButtons.forEach(otherBtn => {\n                    closeAccordion(otherBtn);\n                });\n            }\n\n            btn.classList.add(\"active-parent\", \"text-white\");\n            btn.classList.remove(\"text-dark\");\n\n            const dot = btn.querySelector('.dot-indicator');\n            if (dot) { dot.classList.replace('bg-dark', 'bg-white'); 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