MPP Learning Journey to Singapore

MPP Learning Journey to Singapore: A masterclass in comparative policy analysis

By Yao Xida and Fiona Kam

Led by Professor Donald Low and jointly organized with five student volunteers, 23 of HKUST’s first and second-year Master of Policy (MPP) students embarked on the division’s first learning journey to Singapore on 5-9 January 2020.

The journey gave the MPP students a broad but comprehensive introduction to Singapore’s long-term approach to urban planning and infrastructure development, public housing, economic development, water security, and digital government. It not only provided the students with a first-hand understanding of Singapore’s innovative policy approaches in these areas, but also gave them an insight into how Singapore’s economy and society are changing, the policy challenges it now faces after more than 50 years of rapid development, and how its hitherto successful policies have to be continually adapted in light of new socioeconomic realities.

Throughout the learning journey, the students were challenged to draw parallels and comparisons with the development trajectories of Chinese cities and Hong Kong SAR, making the four days in Singapore a unique masterclass in comparative policy analysis.

Our students also had the privilege of attending classes at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, Asia’s top university. Each of the days in Singapore began with classroom sessions that were taught by Professor Low (on Singapore’s economic development and public housing), Ms Tan Wan Lin (a practitioner who spoke on Singapore’s urban planning), Ms Cheryl Chung (on Singapore’s smart nation ambitions), and Professor Leong Ching (on water policy).

Apart from having lectures in NUS, the site visits in the afternoons were one of the major highlights of the learning journey. To widen students’ horizons and deepen their understanding of Singapore’s approach to urban planning and economic development, Prof. Low and Ms. Tan led a half-day visit to Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Students also visited Singapore’s conservation areas, public housing towns in Ang Mo Kio and Bishan, as well as water and environmental facilities such as MacRitchie Reservoir and the Marina Barrage.

Students also had an evening seminar at the Straits Clan, a members’ club in a beautifully restored shophouse near the financial district. Students had the opportunity to share ideas with the invited guests, both of whom were highly experienced former practitioners in the Singapore public service.

On the last day, students were free to explore Singapore on their own and to craft their own learning journeys of smart nation, global city Singapore.