Our PAE Mission
The Policy Analysis Project/Exercise (PAE) is the signature capstone of the Master of Public Policy program—a transformative, year-long journey that brings together everything students have learned and challenges them to apply it in service of real-world impact. It’s not just a final project; it’s a proving ground for future policy professionals, where theory meets practice, and ideas are tested against the complexities of actual governance, strategy, and implementation.
At its core, the PAE is a client-based consulting engagement. Students work in small teams—typically five to six members—under the guidance of a faculty advisor to address a pressing policy issue faced by a public, private, or non-profit organization. These clients are not hypothetical. They are real institutions grappling with real challenges, and they turn to our students for fresh thinking, rigorous analysis, and actionable recommendations. The stakes are high, and the work is meaningful.
Each year, the PAE is anchored in a thematic focus that reflects the evolving landscape of public policy. For the 2025–26 academic year, the theme centres on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) through innovative, cross-sector collaboration. This framing encourages students to think boldly and holistically—connecting local challenges to global imperatives, and exploring how policy can be a lever for inclusive, sustainable change.
The process unfolds over two semesters, beginning with the selection of a client and the development of a project prospectus. From there, teams dive into research—conducting interviews, analysing data, reviewing literature, and engaging with stakeholders. They refine their problem definition, explore policy alternatives, and weigh trade-offs. Throughout, they meet regularly with their client and advisor, navigating the delicate balance between academic rigor and professional responsiveness.
What makes the PAE truly distinctive is its emphasis on collaboration and communication. Students must learn to work as a cohesive unit, managing timelines, dividing responsibilities, and integrating diverse perspectives. They must also learn to communicate their findings clearly and persuasively—both in writing and in person. The final deliverables include a polished, client-facing report and a formal presentation at the PAE Conference, where teams share their work with faculty, peers, and invited guests.
The experience is demanding but deeply rewarding. It pushes students to think critically, act professionally, and engage empathetically with the communities and institutions they serve. It also provides a powerful bridge to the world beyond HKUST—many students go on to work with their PAE clients, or leverage the experience to launch careers in government, consulting, advocacy, or international organizations.
Above all, the PAE reflects the ethos of the MPP program: interdisciplinary, applied, and impact-driven. It’s where classroom learning becomes public leadership. It’s where students discover not just what they know, but what they’re capable of. And for many, it’s the moment they realize they’re ready to make a difference.
PAE Report Library
Southern District Council "Improving Domestic Food Waste Collection in Hong Kong"
Project by : <CAI Ziyang, DONG Ruiwen, HU Yingjie, LI Danrui, TSO Siu Lui, WEI Lan>
China State Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Limited "Policy Pathways for Sustainable Development of HONG KONG’s Data Centers"
Project by : <CHEN Zixuan, GU Qiuye, HU Xinyu, XU Shuyan, ZHANG Wenwei, ZHAO Yumeng>
Shenzhen Aging Development Foundation "Feeding The Gaps: A Collaborative Approach to Sustainable Elderly Meal Service in Guangdong"
Project by : <CHEN Yangqing, JIANG Yushan, LAM Lok Him, LOH Ees Ther, SONG Yumin, ZHANG Xuan>
PathFinders "Bridging the Social Security Gap: Policy Analysis for Undocumented Children of Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong"
Project by : <CHEN Ying, DENG Churan, DENG Xinyun, GU Ziying, YANG Mengsha, ZHOU Yuluo>
PricewaterhouseCoopers Hong Kong "Driving Sustainable Change: Tackling Barriers to Electric Private Cars [e-PCs] Adoption in Hong Kong"
Project by : <DENG Shusen, LIANG Bufan, SHU Ruoxi, WEN Haotian, YANG Yixin>
About Our PAE Clients
We pride ourselves in maintaining a rich collaborative environment, joined by clients from many different sectors - the public, private and third. Some of our closest networking partners including Arthur D. Little, Centennial Asia Advisors, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Netherlands Innovation Network, Paypal, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Research For Social Advancement Berhad (REFSA), RAND Corporation, The Center for Green Finance Research (CGFR) of Tsinghua University, Southern District Council of Hong Kong, EcoVadis, China State Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Limited, Shenzhen Aging Development Foundation, PathFinders, China Academy of Urban Planning and Design.