Master of Public Management (MPM)

Public sector managers are tasked with handling a wide range of issues with economic implications. These issues often involve the allocation of resources (not just governmental resources, but also society’s) and have implications for efficiency and equity. Sometimes, these issues involve difficult trade-offs between efficiency and equity. How are we to decide? Should efficiency consideration always trump equity ones? The course is designed to familiarize students with the methods, strengths and limitations of economic reasoning in addressing these issues. Concepts covered in this course are drawn from both micro- and macroeconomics. Illustrations are conducted in an interactive manner using cases studies as well as widely cited examples in public management.

This course combines theoretical training with practical applications. It introduces students to key concepts in the discipline of public management and covers major approaches to management in the public sector. The course begins with a review of the evolution of thinking from public administration to public management. It allows students to explore the changes of responsibilities and skills of public managers. From that basis, we move to look at tools in important functional areas of public management and investigate how to critically apply a range of mechanisms to improve the performance of public managers.

The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the principal elements of policy analysis and program evaluation. It introduces key concepts and tools from professional practices in the public sector. Main topics covered include process of policy analysis, market failures, governmental failures, information structuring, data collection methods, decision matrices, cost-benefit analysis, and program evaluation. Upon completing the course, students will develop the skills to analyze and evaluate policy programs.

While advancements in science and technology have been rapidly expanding the range of solutions for tackling these challenges, science and technology innovations have also raised a set of emerging ethical, institutional and legal issues for government, non-profit and private entities. The course aims to help students familiarize with opportunities and challenges brought about by advances in science and technology and analytical approaches for developing appropriate public policy and governance structure to harness the full potentials of these advances. Major topics covered include science and technology policy, regulations of the uses and applications of new technologies, smart cities, the applications of big data, and the management and governance of new media.

Capstone project offers a unique opportunity for students to focus on specific areas of public policy and management in Hong Kong, China, or Asia and carry out in-depth studies. Students may expect discussions of issues that have been the cornerstones of the regions’ development that they choose. HKUST is well-positioned to share the experience of effective governance across Greater China in particular, and Asia-Pacific in general. Faculty supervisors will work with students to reach out to the practitioners in the public sector. Students will apply what they have learnt in class to analyze and solve the problems in the real and dynamic society. The project brings students to reflect on the overall training in the MPM Program and helps them consolidate their knowledge in the area.