Since 2018/2019, Shue Yan University has launched research postgraduate programmes, i.e. Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The graduate school and the amount of postgraduate students has developed steadily. The next main task of the graduate school is to plan how to arrange for postgraduate students to have exchange study from the overseas universities or research centres, so as to widen the international horizons and research experience.
Professor TANG So Kum, Catherine, Associate Academic Vice President (Graduate School) and Distinguished Professor of Hong Kong Shue Yan University, said in an interview with Shue Yan Newsletter in August that Shue Yan University is now offering 6 PhD programmes, 6 MPhil programmes, 1 taught Doctoral programme and 4 taught Master’s programmes. (See table below) By the end of January this year, the total number of students in taught and research Postgraduate Programmes has been 107. Meanwhile, as at the end of July, the number of newly admitted students for research and taught programmes is about 40.
At the end of August, 11 new students enrolled in PhD and MPhil programmes for 2021/2022. The number of students is more than last academic year, while -5 of them are PhD students. Due to the strict requirements of enrolling students for the research programmes, the number of enrolled students each year is not many.
Professor TANG mentioned that due to the epidemic, the number of mainlanders enrolling in research programmes has declined. However, the number of Shue Yan graduates has increased. She believed that it is related to strengthened promotion to the alumni regarding programme-related information. Among the 11 enrolled research postgraduates at the end of August, most of them are local students while two are non-local students, including 1 mainlander and 1 Indonesian student. “It is worth mentioning that many enrolled students have really good academic records, including several first class honours graduates.”
Professor TANG then stated that to widen postgraduates’ international horizons and research experience, the graduate school is planning to arrange research students to non-local universities and research centres. Students may have exchange study for one semester or an academic year, or even shorter period, like a few months. If the conditions are appropriate, students can also collect their research data and information while having their exchange study.
“The preparation in this aspect not only requires contact with the non-local universities and research centres but also involves the financial resources The school is seeking the scholarship and other donations to subsidise students, benefiting more students. In the expected initial period of implementation, Mainland Chinese and Southeast Asian universities and research centres will first be the main targets, then expand to other regions, like Europe or America,” said Professor TANG.
In launching the new programme, Professor TANG mentioned that the proposed Master of Social Sciences in Play Therapy (MSSC in Play Therapy) has been internally approved by the university, and submitted to the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications for approval. The programme is expected to launch in 2022/2023. Meanwhile, the proposed Master of Social Work (MSW) is e xpected to be launched in 2023/2024.
On the other hand, Professor TANG has been cooperating with Dr Margaret WONG Fung-yee, Head of Department of Social Work and Dr CHOW Tak-sang Jason, Assistant Professor of the Department of Counselling and Psychology to -restructure two research centres, the Centre of Interdisciplinary Research in Evidence-based Practice and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, into the Wan Chow Yuk Fan Centre for Interdisciplinary Evidence-based Practice and Research. The overall purpose of setting up the centre is to promote collaborative evidence-based practices and research between scholars and practitioners of different sectors to fulfill society’s needs in research and professional practice. The centres are devoted to promoting -interdisciplinary evidence-based practice and research to enhancing the effects of teaching, learning and professional practice while providing training opportunities for the students.
Professor TANG said the centre was established at the beginning of 2021. Under the support from the teachers, 8 research clusters are established at the moment: (1) Research Group on Resilience and Physical and Mental -Well-being, (2) Research Group on Demography and Aging Society, (3) Research Group on Adversities Adaptation, (4) Research Group on Family and Child Development, (5) Research Group on Community Health & Primary Care, (6) Research Group on Consumer Behaviour and Decision Making, (7) Research Group on Digital Technology and Practice, and (8) Research Group on Digital Humanities.
Source: 50th Anniversary Special Issue