Research@HSUHK

HSUHK School of Transdisciplinary Studies Research Team presents at Taipei University of Technology

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:25:41 +0000

The research team led by Professor Joshua Mok, Provost and Vice-President (Academic & Research) and concurrently Director of the School of Transdisciplinary Studies (STS) at the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), was invited to co-organize the conference, "Responses to the Growing Impact of AI, Aging Society, and Global Competition: Critical Reflections on the Role of Higher Education," on 26 June 2026. The event was held in collaboration with the Taiwan Association for Institutional Research and Taipei University of Technology, and was supported by the Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership (APHERP).

President Yi-Jun Jen of Taipei University of Technology and Professor Joshua Mok delivered the opening addresses. Following the opening ceremony, the conference commenced with the first panel, titled "Internationalization of Higher Education and University Governance". Professor Mok presented a paper on "The quest for an international higher education hub in Hong Kong: Comparative perspectives and university governance." This was followed by presentations from speakers representing National Chengchi University, City University of Hong Kong, HSUHK, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Their presentations focused respectively on the new trajectory of international education destinations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, world-class university aspirations and strategies in the Taiwan region, and the attraction and retention of global doctoral students in Hong Kong through an analysis of student voices on social media.

The Hong Kong research team also actively engaged with the audience while presenting topics related to AI, aging societies, and their implications for higher education. Dr. Shirie Ho from HSUHK – STS delivered a paper entitled "From perinatal care to lifelong learning: Leveraging AI for older adults' wellbeing and education," while Professor Colin Zhai from Lingnan University presented a paper on "The rise of AI and its impact on education for older adults." Additionally, scholars from Peking University shared research regarding how GenAI improves international publications and its subsequent effects on PhD students. In the afternoon, colleagues from Taipei University of Technology highlighted their recent experiences in integrating AI into institutional research and university administration. Overall, the conference provided an excellent platform for colleagues from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and the Taiwan region to discuss the rise of AI and its profound impact on education, research, and university management.

Media Report:

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Professor Joshua Mok Shares Policy Insights on Hong Kong's Role as a Global Higher Education Hub, as Invited by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:07:03 +0000

Professor Joshua Mok Ka Ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), was invited by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR to deliver a policy-focused presentation on 16 June 2026, examining Hong Kong's evolving position as an international hub for higher education.

Drawing on his research, funded by the Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU) under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme (PPRFS), Professor Mok presented a rigorous analysis of strategies to attract and retain high-calibre doctoral talents. The study, titled "Strategies to Attract and Retain High-calibre Talents to Pursue Further Studies at Doctorate Level in Hong Kong for Nurturing Specialised Talents that will Contribute to Hong Kong's Development", explores how the city can sharpen its competitive edge in cultivating advanced research talent amid intensifying global competition.

In his address, Professor Mok assessed the HKSAR Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen Hong Kong's standing as a leading international education hub, covering recent policies/initiatives in attracting and retaining global talent to study and work in the city. He highlighted the importance of aligning higher education development with broader policy priorities in innovation and talent cultivation, noting that institutional excellence must be complemented by strong international linkages, regional integration, and clear, attractive pathways for global students and early-career researchers.

Drawing competition with higher education systems in the United Kingdom, Singapore and Malaysia, Professor Mok reflected on policy approaches that could further enhance Hong Kong's international appeal. These comparative insights underscored the need for a coordinated strategy that integrates education, research, and innovation ecosystems, positioning Hong Kong as a dynamic platform for global knowledge exchange.

The invited presentation also demonstrated the critical role of policy-oriented research in informing long-term development. By translating empirical and comparative analysis into actionable insights, Professor Mok's work contributes to ongoing dialogue on how Hong Kong might leverage its global outlook, institutional strengths, and strategic location within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to reinforce its position as a centre for higher education and talent development.

The engagement provided a valuable opportunity for professional exchange with representatives of the Liaison Office and reaffirmed HSUHK's commitment to contributing rigorous, research-driven perspectives to public policy discourse and societal advancement.

HSUHK Participates in HERA 2026 Conference Co-hosted by Peking University and Tsinghua University

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:10:35 +0000

Source: Photo courtesy of Higher Education Research Association

Professor Joshua Mok, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) of the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), participated in the Higher Education Research Association (HERA) 2026 Conference, successfully co-hosted by Peking University and Tsinghua University in Beijing on 13–14 June 2026.

The conference, themed "Asian Higher Education in a Changing Global Context," gathered leading scholars to discuss the evolving landscape of higher education amid geopolitical, technological, and economic shifts. Professor Mok was invited to present at the event. He spoke on the panel "Geopolitics and Higher Education: China and the World," chaired by Professor Gerard Postiglione of The University of Hong Kong.

In his paper titled "Questing for Knowledge in Balance: Navigating China-West Relations in Higher Education," Professor Mok examined how geopolitics increasingly influences international student mobility and cross-border research collaboration. Collaborating with Professor Ma Yin, he applied neorealism, securitization theory, soft power theory, and a modified liberal institutionalism framework to analyse the impact on cultural exchange, talent circulation, and academic diplomacy. He emphasised the importance of balancing legitimate security concerns with the pursuit of scientific progress and educational exchange.

Professor Mok also chaired the panel "Higher Education Hubs, Internationalization and Collaboration," which included speakers from The University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, Peking University, and HSUHK. He presented his research paper "Questing for Higher Education Hubs: Challenges and Opportunities for Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia," offering a comparative analysis of policies and practices in these three Asian higher education hubs.

Furthermore, Professor Mok served as a discussant at Tsinghua University's Doctoral Student Forum on the panel "Generative AI, Digital-intelligent Education, and Responsible Governance," where young scholars from the UK, Chinese Mainland, and Macau SAR presented their work.

The visit concluded with productive discussions on strengthening collaborations between HSUHK and leading institutions, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Cheng Chi University, and Ming Chuan University.

Source: Photo courtesy of Higher Education Research Association

HSUHK Participates in HERA 2026 Conference Co-hosted by Peking University and Tsinghua University

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:44:15 +0000

Source: Photo courtesy of Higher Education Research Association

HSUHK Scholar Empowers Youth-led Research on Family Dynamics and Adolescent Mental Health

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:30:44 +0000

Source: Photo courtesy of Save the Children Hong Kong

A research study titled Hearing Children: How Family Interactions Affect Youth Mental health was officially released in late May 2026, shedding night on the critical role of parent-child relationships in sharping adolescent well-being.

Initiated by Save the Children Hong Kong and supported by a research team led by Dr Gary Tang, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Science at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), the project stands out for its innovative youth-led approach. Dr Tang's team provided professional expertise in research design, questionnaire development, and data analysis, while guiding a "Youth Research Group" of six adolescents. Through extensive partner networks and school outreach, the team successfully gathered 408 valid responses from young people aged 13 to 18.

The findings reveal a concerning picture of family life for many Hong Kong adolescents. Frequent belittling remarks, unfavourable peer or sibling comparisons, and excessively high parental expectations are significantly associated with diminished self-esteem and emotional distress. Affected youth reported feelings of inferiority along with physical and psychological symptoms such as insomnia and heightened anxiety. Alarmingly, the vast majority of respondents indicated they would not proactively seek support from their parents when facing emotional difficulties.

"These results underscore the urgent need to transform parent-child communication patterns," the report emphasises.

Save the Children Hong Kong plans to translate the research insights into actionable initiatives, including parent education programmes, school counselling training, and community workshops. The organisation aims to promote positive, affirming communication styles grounded in active listening and validation.

Dr Tang supported the entire research process, from methodological design to data interpretation, providing a robust empirical foundation for identifying risk factors in family interactions. This collaboration exemplifies HSUHK's commitment to impactful, community-engaged research that bridges academic expertise with real-world social challenges.

HSUHK Research: Journal of Asian Public Policy Ranked Among World's Top Journals

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:17:46 +0000

Recently, the Journal of Asian Public Policy (JAPP), co-founded and co-edited by Professor Mok Ka-ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), has achieved a major international milestone.

In addition to its established recognition, JAPP has attained an Impact Factor of 2.9, and is now ranked 9th out of 184 journals in the field of Area Studies, placing it among the very top journals globally in this domain. This latest milestone reinforces the journal's growing influence and academic excellence on the international stage.

According to the latest CiteScore metrics released by Scopus, JAPP has been ranked Q1 in both the "Public Administration" and "Sociology and Political Science" categories, placing it among the world's leading journals in these fields.

Established in 2008 at the University of Bristol and published by Routledge, JAPP has grown into a flagship journal in Asian public policy studies. As a long-standing Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI) Q1 journal, it is widely recognized for its high-quality interdisciplinary and comparative research on Asian policy issues, spanning public management, policy science, social development, and governance.

These achievements not only underscore the journal's continued upward trajectory but also highlight HSUHK's growing strength and international visibility in public policy and management research. They reflect the University's sustained commitment to advancing high-impact scholarship with both regional relevance and global significance. HSUHK will continue to invest in high-impact research and strengthen its role as a leading voice in Asian public policy studies.

HSUHK scholar's AI animated short film receives multiple international festival recognitions

Thu, 21 May 2026 08:33:51 +0000

An AI animated short film, Sushi Party, directed by Dr Sobel Chan, Senior Lecturer at the School of Communication (SCOM) of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), has garnered a series of international recognitions across art-tech, AI cinema and animation film festivals. The film has been invited to participate in the Miami Art-Tech Summit 2025, AI Film Awards Cannes 2025, AI Short Film Festival Larissa Lumina 2025, and the Brighton International Animation Festival (BIAF) 2026. It has also been shortlisted for the finals of the Neu Wave AI Film Festival 2025, demonstrating strong international recognition from the professional film festival community.

Sushi Party was selected for the "You've Got to Laugh" comedy animation programme of BIAF 2026, and was screened at the Brighton Dome Studio Theatre in the UK on 25 April 2026. This selection is particularly meaningful as BIAF is a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)-qualifying animation festival, further affirming the film's international exposure and professional acclaim.

Dr Chan said that Sushi Party incorporates a wide range of AI technologies, with AI tools used throughout the creative process — from content development and visual design to sound production. The short film's songs, transition effects and some layered visual sequences were also generated with AI assistance, showcasing the vast potential of AI in audiovisual creation. He noted that the project is not only a technical experiment, but also an exploration of storytelling, animation and comedic expression through generative AI. Looking ahead, he plans to adopt an even broader range of AI tools in future short film production, while inspiring students to broaden their creative horizons, experiment boldly with diverse short film formats, and explore more possibilities in the integration of AI and creative media.

Research Project on Talent Attraction and Retention Promotes Dialogue with Hong Kong's Social Service Sector

Wed, 20 May 2026 09:26:10 +0000

On 19 May, Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho was invited by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) to share insights from the recently funded research project under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, "Strategies to Attract and Retain High-Calibre Talents to Pursue Further Studies at Doctorate Level in Hong Kong for Nurturing Specialised Talents that will Contribute to Hong Kong's Development" (Project No. E2025.B1201).

The invitation reflected the relevance of the project to ongoing discussions on the integration, well-being and long-term retention of incoming talents and their family members in Hong Kong. During the sharing session, Professor Mok presented the project's key findings and discussed their policy implications with the representatives from the social service sector.

HSUHK deepens strategic ties with Shandong institution through high-level dialogue and new partnership

Tue, 19 May 2026 10:09:32 +0000

On 19 May 2026, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) underscored its pivotal role in regional academic integration by participating in the high-profile "Roundtable on Deepening the Integration of Talent, Education, and Industry in Shandong, Hong Kong, and Macao". This significant event coincided with a high-level Forum for the Shandong-Hong Kong-Macau Higher Education Alliance, which brings together 17 leading member institutions across the regions to co-promote student learning, academic and research collaborations, and university-industry-business engagements.

Held at the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel during the Hong Kong-Macau-Shandong Week (18-22 May 2026), the Forum and Roundtable were hosted by high-level provincial authorities, including the Shandong Provincial Education Department and Shandong University. The event was officiated by key government officials from both the HKSAR Government and the Government of Shandong, with Dr Jeff Sze, Under Secretary for Education of the HKSAR Government, delivering an opening speech.

Professor Mok Ka-ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Dean of the Graduate School, and Professor Mark Shuttleworth, Dean of the School of Translation and Foreign Languages (STFL) of HSUHK, representing HSUHK to engage in strategic discussions with government leaders and university heads, exploring synergistic opportunities in cross-border talent cultivation and the "Triple Helix" integration of education, science, and industry. During the Forum, Professor Mok was also interviewed by mainland media, sharing insights on how HSUHK can work creatively with universities in Shandong to enhance the internationalization of higher education and foster wider engagements in the Asian region.

Formalizing Collaboration: The HSUHK-SDVUFA MoU Signing

The morning reached a significant milestone with the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between HSUHK and the Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs (SDVUFA) to promote student and staff exchanges, academic and research collaborations, and other forms of inter-university partnerships.

Following the signing ceremony, Professor Mok and President Sun from SDVUFA, alongside representatives from both universities, engaged in deep, in-depth discussions on future collaborations. They agreed to actively kickstart this institutional partnership by promoting a student mobility programme in the coming summer of 2026, which will lay the groundwork for subsequent academic and research initiatives. Key areas of focus also included international education and the joint development of faculty members.

Participants in these discussions included Mr. Dannie Cheung, member of the HSUHK Council; Professor Mark Shuttleworth, Dean of STFL at HSUHK; Ms. Audrey Jiang, Founder of the Butterfly Development Education Foundation; Ms. Emily Wong, Manager from the Graduate School; and Ms. Scarlett Leung, Senior Manager of STFL. Their involvement underscored the broad, multi-sectoral support underpinning this promising new alliance.

From Dialogue to Discovery: Immersive Campus Experience

The engagement transitioned from strategic dialogue to immersive experience as HSUHK hosted a campus tour for the SDVUFA delegation at our main campus in Shatin. Led by the School of Translation and Foreign Languages and supported by the Global Affairs Office, the visit allowed Ms. Zhang Jie, Director of Global Affairs at SDVUFA, and Ms. Audrey Jiang, Founder of the Butterfly Development Education Foundation, to witness firsthand HSUHK's unique "Liberal + Professional" education model and its state-of-the-art facilities.

This comprehensive day of engagement not only solidifies HSUHK's presence within the newly reinforced Hong Kong-Macao-Shandong higher education institutions network but also paves the way for transformative educational collaborations that will benefit students and faculty across both regions.

Media Interview:

Media Report:

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HSUHK study reveals inadequate support for youth micro-entrepreneurs with non-tech sectors hardest hit

Tue, 19 May 2026 09:17:26 +0000

A latest study by The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) has found that youth micro-entrepreneurs generally face inadequate funding and support, with the problem being particularly acute in non-technology sectors such as retail, food and beverage, creative industries, freelancing, and professional services. The research team urges the Government to develop a more inclusive, entrepreneurial ecosystem-oriented, stage-specific policy framework for youth entrepreneurship that can respond more precisely to entrepreneurs' needs at different stages of development.

The study, titled "A Multifaceted Analysis of Strengthening Stage-Specific Support System for Youth Micro-Entrepreneurship in Hong Kong," is funded by the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme of the HKSAR Government (Project No. 2024.B12.009.24D, project in progress). Commencing in March 2025 and spanning one year and three months, the project began with a comparative policy analysis drawing on the experiences of London and Beijing. The analysis concluded that Hong Kong should strengthen policy integration and implementation while providing support for young entrepreneurs in both the technology and non-technology sectors that better reflect their practical needs. The research team then adopted a mixed-methods approach, conducted in-depth interviews with 25 youth micro-entrepreneurs and 20 support providers, as well as collected 627 online questionnaire responses from youth micro-entrepreneurs. By combining statistical findings with qualitative data, the study examined the experiences of young entrepreneurs.

Micro-entrepreneurship refers to a business model with small capital investment and a small number of employees. The study showed that youth entrepreneurship generally goes through stages such as existence, survival, success, take-off, and maturity, with each stage involving distinct needs and challenges. Funding shortages were recognised as a consistent issue across all stages of the entrepreneurial journey. Nearly 70% of respondents identified insufficient funding as the main challenge at the existence stage; the proportion was 54.1% among those in the survival or success stage, and 45% among those in the take-off or maturity stage.

The study further highlighted a clear resource gap for non-tech sectors in Hong Kong's entrepreneurship support landscape. Respondents generally believed that existing entrepreneurship policies and support programmes place excessive emphasis on artificial intelligence, deep tech, innovation-labelled, and rapidly scalable startups, leaving youth micro-enterprises in retail, food and beverage, creative industries, and service sectors easily overlooked. Close to 10% of respondents believed that existing support policies were sufficient to meet their needs. Over 80% hoped for low-threshold and easily accessible funding subsidies; 44.3% wanted simpler application procedures for funding schemes; 43.9% hoped for greater marketing support; and 37.3% expected access to mentors or advisory services.

Many respondents believed that informal support—such as startup funding, emotional support, practical help, and operational advice provided by family members, friends, peers, and partners—was more accessible than formal support, which includes assistance provided through government, NGOs, universities, business-sponsored schemes, innovation competitions, courses, and angel investment. More than 46% of respondents mainly relied on informal support, while only about 18.2% mainly relied on formal support. Close to 95% used personal savings as startup capital, and 62.7% had received financial support from family members.

Although respondents generally believed that the Greater Bay Area (GBA) offers a larger market, more complete industrial chains, and more business-matching opportunities, their willingness to expand there remained clearly low. 66.2% were uncertain about whether they would enter the GBA market, 22.5% did not plan to do so, and only 11.3% either planned to enter or had successfully expanded into the market. The main barriers identified were, in descending order: cost pressure (57.9%), insufficient market knowledge (56.5%), regulatory differences (48.3%), lack of local networks (44.0%), and language or cultural barriers (35.3%).

The study also found that 57.4% of respondents experienced linear or stable business growth, while around 40% were in non-linear development trajectories characterised by fluctuation, interruption, or instability. Many respondents held broader definitions of success, including maintaining stable income, flexible work arrangements, work-life balance, and sustaining an independent livelihood. The survey results reflect this diversity of orientation: 39% prioritised business expansion, nearly 30% valued stable income, 20.8% prioritised work-life balance, and 7.5% emphasised the social impact of their business.

Dr Victor Chan Chi-ming, Principal Investigator of the project and Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Science at HSUHK, said, "Youth micro-entrepreneurs are highly important to Hong Kong's economy. They promote innovation, create employment opportunities, and enhance young people's self-reliance and social mobility."

He noted that, in response to the challenges faced by young people at different stages of entrepreneurship, the research team recommends that the Government:

develop a stage-specific support framework, including support measures tailored to different development stages and a one-stop platform offering flexible support;
better coordinate formal and informal support, including the integration of advisors, dedicated officers, and peer support, as well as allocating resources to community and family workshops;
close support gaps in non-tech sectors, including the provision of dedicated non-tech funding, incubation, marketing, legal, and operational support, and revising assessment criteria so that they are no longer confined to technology-oriented growth indicators;
adopt a broader definition of entrepreneurial success in policy and support programmes, placing value on business survival, autonomy, resilience, work-life balance, and social contribution;
reform entrepreneurship education, by strengthening entrepreneurship education in secondary and higher education to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset early on; and
strengthen collaboration among governments across GBA cities to create more practical development pathways, including city-specific operational guidelines, compliance support, and trusted network-matching services.

Click here for the PowerPoint presented at the press briefing.