News & Media

World's Top 2% Scientist by Stanford University

Professor Alex Jingwei He as the World’s Top 2% Most-cited Policy Scholar by Stanford University 2025

Professor Alex Jingwei He ranked among the world's top 2% most cited scientists by Stanford University in the field of Public Administration based on 2024 single-year impact. 

Achievement

Prof. ZHU Pengyu awarded over $850,000 under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS)

Prof. ZHU Pengyu has received over HK$850,000 in funding for his project "One University, Two Campuses" Study, aimed at enhancing academic collaboration and credential recognition across institutions, contributing to Hong Kong's goal of becoming a global talent hub.

PPOL Welcomes New Students with Engaging Orientation

The Division of Public Policy hosted a vibrant orientation for its new Master and PhD students, featuring assemblies, interactive activities, and program-specific sessions to kickstart their academic journey. It was a fantastic opportunity for new students to connect and prepare for their impactful careers.

PPOL Student Teams Achieved Outstanding Results at the 2025 Tsinghua International Case Analysis Competition of Public Policy on SDGs

Two PPOL teams from HKUST achieved outstanding results at the 2025 Tsinghua International Case Analysis Competition of Public Policy on SDGs, with Team Betelgeuse winning Second Prize and Team ZeroX taking Third Prize, showcasing PPOL students’ excellence in research, innovation, and global policy leadership.

Faculty Insights: Prof. Alex He Jingwei on the Northern Metropolis and Hong Kong’s Economic Future

Prof. Alex Jingwei He was recently interviewed by the South China Morning Post for his insights on the Northern Metropolis and Hong Kong’s economic transformation. He emphasized the importance of developing a university town to foster collaboration between academia, industry, start-ups, and government, thereby strengthening innovation capacity and advancing sustainable economic growth.

Achievement

Prof. Alex Jingwei He Receives the IPPA Transition and Developing Economies Award 2025

Professor Alex Jingwei He has been awarded the IPPA Transition and Developing Economies Award 2025, becoming the first Chinese scholar to receive this honour since the award’s inception. He will be officially presented with the award at the 7th International Conference on Public Policy in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in July 2025.

PPOL MPP Students Embark on Excursion to Tap Mun Island

On April 12, 2025, MPP students from HKUST’s Division of Public Policy enjoyed a day-long excursion to Tap Mun Island. The trip provided a valuable opportunity for students to engage with peers and faculty outside the classroom, explore local culture and scenery, and foster community spirit within the program.

PPOL Students Explore Career Pathways in International Organizations at HKUST(GZ)

Students from the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) at HKUST participated in a collaborative career development programme at HKUST(GZ), jointly organized with the Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship (IPE) Thrust and the Career Development Association (CDA). The event featured industry experts and academic leaders who shared valuable insights on pursuing careers in international organizations, along with a campus tour that deepened participants’ understanding of the IPE Thrust’s interdisciplinary focus.

PPOL Hosts Successful 2025 AUA Asia Pacific Public Policy Network Conference at HKUST

The Division of Public Policy at HKUST successfully hosted the 2025 AUA Asia Pacific Public Policy Network Conference on 22–23 May, bringing together over 200 participants from 50 institutions across 17 countries. The conference explored the theme “Innovating Governance: AI and Data Science in Public Health and Urban Development,” featuring keynotes and sessions on emerging technologies and their policy implications.

Achievement

Prof. Naubahar Sharif Reappointed to Chief Executive’s Policy Unit Expert Group

Prof. Naubahar Sharif, Head and Professor of the Division of Public Policy at HKUST, has been reappointed as a member of the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU) Expert Group by the Hong Kong SAR Government. The reappointment was announced on 30 May 2025 as part of a renewed roster of 59 expert members.
 

PPOL Releases First 2025 Edition of Biannual Newsletter Showcasing Research, Achievements, and Community Engagement

The Division of Public Policy at HKUST is pleased to release the first 2025 edition of its biannual newsletter. This issue highlights recent milestones, ongoing research, faculty publications, and community activities across the PPOL network.

PhD Student Chunyan Ran Receives Outstanding Paper Award at the 9th Young Scholars Forum of Journal of Public Administration

Miss Chunyan Ran, PhD student at the Division of Public Policy, has received the Outstanding Paper Award at the 9th Young Scholars Forum of Journal of Public Administration (《公共行政评论》). Her winning paper, based on her doctoral research, offers a comparative analysis of bureaucratic formalism under political re-centralization in China.

Book Launch

Dr. Nicolo Ludovice Publishes Book Chapter on Environmental Change and Food Systems in Postwar Philippines

Dr. Nicolo Ludovice, Research Assistant Professor at the Division of Public Policy, has contributed a new book chapter titled “Dairying Dependence: Industrialization and Ecological Change During the Postwar Philippines” to the volume Halo-Halo Ecologies: The Emergent Environments Behind Filipino Food, published by the University of Hawai‘i Press (2025). The chapter explores the environmental and industrial transformations shaping food systems in the postwar Philippines.

Achievement

Prof. Alex Jingwei He Appointed Principal Investigator in WHO–APO Regional Digital Health Initiative

Prof. Alex Jingwei He of the Division of Public Policy has been appointed as Principal Investigator in a five-year regional research initiative led in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Asia Pacific Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (APO). The project will focus on advancing digital health innovation across Asia-Pacific.

PPOL Students Win OSHC Project Competition and Will Represent Hong Kong at OSAKA EXPO 2025

Three students from the Division of Public Policy at HKUST have won top honours at the OSHC Project Competition, earning the opportunity to represent Hong Kong at the OSAKA EXPO 2025. The team was officially recognised at the OSHC Awards Ceremony on 29 May 2025.

Achievement

Prof. Alex Jingwei He Awarded RGC Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship

Professor Alex Jingwei He has been awarded the Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), with a total grant of HK$669,200. His funded project will examine China’s health policy reforms since 2009 through the lens of governance and political economy.

Prof Naubahar Sharif receives a research grant from the Li & Fung Institute.

Prof Naubahar Sharif receives a HKD 150,000 research grant from the Li & Fung Institute.

BOOK LAUNCH

Prof. Donald Low’s Latest Book – The Price of Zero: China’s Policy Missteps During and After Covid

Prof. Donald Low's recently released book delving into the causes and economic consequences of China’s zero-Covid policy.

Achievement

Prof. Alex Jingwei HE Reappointed as Member of the Assessment Panel for Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector (APSF) of RGC

Prof. Alex Jingwei HE has been recently reappointed as Member of the Assessment Panel for Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector (APSF) of the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC). He will continue to serve on the panel from Mar 1 2025 to Feb 28 2027.

Achievement

Prof. Masaru YARIME Named Highly Ranked Scholar - Lifetime by ScholarGPS 2024

Professor Masaru Yarime has been honored as Highly Ranked Scholar - Lifetime in the specialty of Sustainability by ScholarGPS 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights Professor Yarime's exceptional productivity and significant impact in the field, placing him among the top 0.05% of scholars worldwide.