The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong plans to launch its first doctoral program in 2026, which aims at enhancing critical decision-making in society through data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI), and supply chain management.
The university is also set to launch three new master’s programs in the 2025-2026 academic year, covering digital media communication, risk analysis, as well as digital innovation and technology management.
The city’s second private university has stated that these curriculum enhancements are designed to meet the social needs of Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), aiming to address talent gaps in the market through cutting-edge programs.
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During a Spring Festival media event hosted by the university, Vice-President (academic and research) Joshua Mok Ka-ho emphasized that the upcoming doctoral program of decision sciences – the first of its kind in Hong Kong — will hopefully be offered in 2026. The program will integrate knowledge from statistics, computer science, and supply chain management, involving industry professionals to provide students with a blend of theoretical learning and practical experience.
Mok said that decision to launch these courses takes into account the demands driven by the development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, which also addresses talent shortages in industries affected by the city’s socio-economic trends like the aging population.
The university’s president, Simon Ho Shun-man, reiterated that course offerings should always be aligned with market demands. He cited the example of Hong Kong’s ambition to become an east-meets-west center for international cultural exchange while lacking experts in art authentication, which inspired his institution to pioneer courses in this field.
The educators also noted that as Hong Kong aims to establish itself as a center for mega international sports events and enhance the economy through mega-event tourism, the city sees a crucial need for skilled talents. They emphasized this necessity as a driving factor behind the introduction and development of university’s courses centered on communication, creativity, and the cultural industry.
To accommodate the growing student population and new courses, the university is not only bolstering its teaching facilities but also strengthening academic exchanges with both domestic and international partners.
The university’s new teaching and activity center at the M+ building was launched in the city’s West Kowloon during this academic year. Additionally, the university also plans to launch another activity center in Nansha, Guangzhou in May. While facilitating Hong Kong students in engaging in internships and other activities more effectively on the Chinese mainland, the university can also enhance collaborations with mainland academic institutions, educators said.
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Furthermore, to ensure a high standard of teaching, the university has implemented measures to strengthen its academic facilities. This includes the inauguration of a cutting-edge visual laboratory in 2024, equipped with the latest extended reality devices, VR, and AR technologies.
Contact the writer amberwu@chinadailyhk.com
