Postgraduate Development Program (PGDev)
A rare and exclusive offering in Asia for future public policy leaders
At HKUST’s Division of Public Policy, we believe that academic excellence alone is not enough to prepare students for the complexities of public leadership. That’s why we’ve created the Postgraduate Development Program—a comprehensive, year-long experience that is exclusive to our MPP and MPM students and unlike anything offered elsewhere in Asia.
This 0-credit course is mandatory for all first-year students and is designed to mirror the intensity and value of a full-credit module. It integrates academic preparedness, professional development, personal wellness, and community engagement into a single, cohesive journey—ensuring that students are not only intellectually equipped but also professionally confident and personally grounded.
What the Program Offers
The program unfolds across four interwoven modules:
Orientation & Academic Preparedness
Students begin with a deep dive into the expectations of the PPOL programs, including writing and communication skills, policy analysis formats, ethical standards, and research literacy. These sessions lay the foundation for success in coursework and capstone projects.
Engagement & Community Building
Through seminars, field trips, symposia, and the PAE Conference, students engage with real-world policy issues and build lasting connections with peers, faculty, and professionals. The program fosters a vibrant learning community where diverse perspectives are celebrated.
Career Development
Tailored workshops guide students through job search strategies, interview preparation, offer evaluation, and professional communication. Individual consultations help students align their career goals with sector demands, especially within the Hong Kong public sector.
Wellness & Personal Growth
Recognizing the pressures of postgraduate study, the program includes sessions on time management, stress coping strategies, and personal development. Students also participate in the Lumina Spark program—a globally recognized tool for self-awareness and team effectiveness.
Career Readiness & Professional Empowerment
The PGDev Program reflects our deep commitment to preparing students for meaningful careers in public policy—not by placing them into roles, but by equipping them with the tools to pursue opportunities with confidence and clarity.
Through targeted workshops, one-on-one consultations, and sector-specific guidance, students learn how to navigate the job market, craft compelling applications, and present themselves professionally in interviews and networking settings. Special attention is given to the Hong Kong public sector, but the skills developed are transferable across regions and industries.
Rather than acting as a placement service, the program focuses on empowerment—helping students identify their strengths, refine their goals, and take ownership of their career journey. It’s a proactive, strategic approach that ensures graduates are not only employable, but prepared to thrive in competitive, fast-changing policy environments.
Why It’s Unique
This program is one of the only structured postgraduate development initiatives of its kind in Asia, and it reflects HKUST’s commitment to holistic education. It’s not an optional add-on—it’s a core part of the student experience, designed to cultivate the mindset, skills, and resilience needed for impactful careers in public policy.
Students who complete the program emerge with more than just academic credentials. They gain a professional toolkit, a supportive network, and a deeper understanding of themselves as future leaders.
A Cross-University Collaboration
The Postgraduate Development Program is a truly interdisciplinary effort, made possible through close collaboration with divisions and departments across HKUST. Nearly 20 professionals—including faculty members, career advisors, wellness experts, and industry practitioners—contribute their time, insight, and experience to deliver a program that is as diverse as it is impactful.
This cross-campus partnership ensures that students benefit from a wide range of perspectives, from public policy and economics to science, technology, and behavioural psychology. It also reflects HKUST’s broader commitment to integrated learning—where boundaries between disciplines are bridged to prepare students for the complexity of real-world leadership.
By drawing on the university’s full intellectual and professional ecosystem, the program offers students a rare opportunity to learn from experts across fields, build meaningful connections, and develop the multifaceted skill set needed to thrive in today’s policy landscape.