News & Announcements

Feb

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.

Dec

Workshop

"One Hour for Young Talents" Winter 2024 Workshop at HKUST

The "One Hour for Young Talents" Winter 2024 Workshop, jointly organized by the China Public Administration Review (C-PAR), the Division of Public Policy (PPOL) and the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), was successfully held on December 20-21, 2024 on the HKUST Clear Water Bay campus.

Nov

HKUST

HKUST Attracts Nearly 100 New Scholars to Drive Strategic Development

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has welcomed nearly 100 accomplished scholars from a dozen countries and jurisdictions since the launch of its global recruitment campaign in October 2022, boosting the University’s efforts in teaching, research and innovation across different strategic areas. HKUST Provost Prof. GUO Yike (second left, front) and new scholars who have joined HKUST in recent years, including Prof. Julien de TROULLIOUD de LANVERSIN (first left, front), Assistant Professor in the Division of Public Policy

Oct

South China Morning Post

Faculty Insights: Prof. Naubahar Sharif Discusses Chinese Investment Trends in Mexico

In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post, Prof. Naubahar Sharif, head of the Public Policy Division at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, provided valuable insights into the dynamics of Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Mexico. His comments shed light on the complexities of investment flows and the implications of geopolitical tensions. Key Insights from Prof. Sharif Underreported Investment Figures: Prof. Sharif highlighted that the official statistics on Chinese investment in Mexico may significantly underestimate the actual figures. He noted, “Chinese investments may be ‘masked as investment from elsewhere,’ suggesting that companies from countries like Vietnam or Indonesia might channel Chinese capital into Mexico.” This complexity complicates the tracking of true investment origins. Methodological Differences: He pointed out that discrepancies in investment data arise from different calculation methods used by various entities. For instance, while Mexico's Secretariat of Economy reported a Chinese investment stock of US$1.2 billion, China's Ministry of Commerce estimated it at US$1.7 billion. Prof. Sharif remarked, “These differences could lead to significant questions regarding what constitutes Chinese capital.” Impact of Geopolitical Tensions: Prof. Sharif also discussed the broader implications of U.S.-China tensions on investment patterns. He noted, “As Chinese companies seek to circumvent U.S. tariffs, they are increasingly looking to Mexico as a strategic location for manufacturing and distribution.” This shift not only affects trade dynamics but also raises questions about the future of U.S.-Mexico relations, particularly in the context of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Future Projections: Looking ahead, Prof. Sharif indicated that the trend of Chinese investment in Mexico is likely to continue, especially in sectors such as automotive manufacturing. He stated, “The automotive sector alone is projected to represent a significant portion of Chinese investments in the coming years.” Conclusion Prof. Sharif's insights underscore the complexities of global investment flows and the need for more accurate data to understand the true landscape of foreign direct investment. As geopolitical tensions evolve, the implications for investment strategies and economic partnerships will be critical for policymakers and researchers alike. Acknowledgments In addition to Prof. Sharif, the interview featured insights from several other experts: Armand Meyer, Senior Research Analyst at the Rhodium Group, who discussed the methodology behind investment tracking. Evan Ellis, Research Professor of Latin American Studies at the U.S. Army War College’s Strategic Studies Institute, who provided context on the implications of investment trends for U.S.-Mexico relations. Jesus Seade, Mexican Ambassador to China, who offered perspectives on the diplomatic aspects of Chinese investment in Mexico. This interview was published by Ralph Jennings in the South China Morning Post. Click here

Sep

Condolences on the Passing of Raly Lofamia Tejada

It is with profound sadness that we learned of the untimely passing of Raly Lofamia Tejada, a distinguished alumnus of our Master of Public Management program and a cherished member of our academic community here at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Beyond his professional achievements, Raly was a person of great warmth and amiability, always ready to engage thoughtfully and assist others, whether in person or through social media. His commitment to service was evident in every interaction, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege to know him. As our student in one of the core classes of our Public Policy program, Raly demonstrated a keen intellect and a passion for public service, culminating in his recent completion of his Master's in Public Management as a HKUST Public Policy Fellow. His academic and professional journeys were sources of inspiration, showing a relentless pursuit of knowledge and excellence that motivated many of his peers and mentors. We extend our deepest sympathies to Raly's family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. His loss is felt acutely not only by those who knew him personally but also by the broader community he served with such distinction. Raly's memory and legacy will continue to inspire future generations of public servants and diplomats. As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his remarkable life and the indelible marks he left on our community and the world. With heartfelt condolences, Division of Public Policy (PPOL) The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

Jun

Prof. Masaru Yarime Awarded Research Grant by the US Social Science Research Council (SSRC)

Prof. Masaru Yarime has been awarded a research grant by the U.S. Social Science Research Council (SSRC) in the amount of US$20,000. The project is Data Governance for Innovation for Sustainable Smart Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Japan, the United States, and China.

Jun

Prof Alex Jingwei He wins best policy research award by CPSG

Professor Alex Jingwei He of the Division of Public Policy has recently won with the 2023 Best Policy Research Award by the Chinese Policy Scholars Group (CPSG, 留美公共政策學會). Entitled “Unpack the black box of pilot sampling in policy experimentation: A qualitative comparative analysis of China's public hospital reform”, Prof He’s research article was published in Governance, a reputable international journal in public policy. The authors adopted a novel research design, combining the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) technique with illustrative case studies, to explain the choice of pilot sampling in large policy experimental programs, a significant question in policy process theories that has gained little scholarly agreement. This article stood out from multiple nominations with its theoretical significance and methodological novelty. CPSG is an international research association of overseas Chinese policy scholars. The award committee this year consists of scholars from Florida State University, Purdue University, Tsinghua University, and Peking University.

May

Prof. Naubahar SHARIF Newly Appointed to the Chief Executive's Policy Unit Research Strategy Expert Group

The Hong Kong government has recently appointed Prof. Naubahar SHARIF, Acting Head and Professor of the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), as a member of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU) Research Strategy Expert Group. This appointment, with effect from May 30, 2024 for a one-year term, is a significant acknowledgment of Professor SHARIF's expertise and contributions in the field of public policy. It also underscores his standing as a leading expert and advisor shaping Hong Kong's long-term research strategy.

Mar

CNA

Analysis: China is one of the costliest places to raise a child, and it’s not all about the money

China has the highest cost of raising a child in the world relative to its GDP per capita and education cost is the outsized contributor to the overall cost of child raising in China. Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten attributed this phenomenon to small families, pressure for children to succeed, and the narrow pathway to success, which have proven to be a moneymaker for the institutions. He also pointed out the lack of support for mothers in China is due to a lack of balance in gender roles, to change the situation is about changing the working hours, the way we work, companies changing attitudes about parents and men changing their attitudes at home and at work.

Mar

AL Jazeera News

‘Obstetric winter’: Why are China’s hospitals shutting delivery wards?

Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten attributed China's continuous decline in newborns and the resulting ‘obstetric winter’ experienced by the maternity departments across the nation to fundamental challenges of getting started in life for young people in China, as in many other parts of the world, in particular, the myriad risks to Chinese young women's career and economic well-being from having a family, including the great costs of "uneven burden of care". The demographic changes being reflected in the health sector, Professor Gietel-Basten noted, also means that the services required for an ageing population will increase.