29 June 2026
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) and the International Public Policy Association (IPPA) co-hosted the inaugural IPPA International Summer School on Public Policy (Hong Kong edition) from 22 to 26 June 2026. The event attracted over 40 young scholars from 42 world-renowned universities across 18 countries. Participants came from Asia, Europe, North America, South America and Africa, engaging in cross-regional academic interaction to promote international exchange in public policy research and further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a regional academic hub.
Professor Philippe Zittoun, General Secretary of the IPPA, remarked in his opening address that the core objective of the Summer School is to advance public policy research and support the international development of early-career scholars. He stated, “Designed specifically for PhD students and early-career scholars, this Summer School not only helps participants expand their international academic networks, but also offers invaluable opportunities to engage face-to-face with renowned scholars and enhance the quality of their research through rigorous academic feedback.”
Professor Joshua Mok, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) of HSUHK, welcomed the international cohort and highlighted that this inaugural collaboration with IPPA, which brings the Summer School to Hong Kong, reflects HSUHK’s strong commitment to internationalisation. Professor Mok said, “The University firmly believes that impactful research must be rooted in a commitment to society. We look forward to working closely with IPPA to establish a platform that brings together global scholars and future leaders to address public policy challenges. In an increasingly diverse society marked by widening differences in views, we place particular emphasis on two ‘Cs’: Connectivity and Collaboration.” He also highlighted Hong Kong unique strategic advantages as an international higher education hub, noting that the HKSAR Government’s Top Talent Pass Scheme has attracted outstanding talent from around the world to pursue development opportunities in the city.
Dr Eva Hung, Director of HSUHK’s Centre for Public Policy Research, introduced the Centre’s interdisciplinary research initiatives, covering areas such as youth micro-entrepreneurship and public governance challenges. She encouraged early-career scholars to make full use of the Centre’s resources to further academic exchange and foster research collaboration.
The five-day Summer School featured a rich and diverse programme, including keynote lectures by internationally renowned scholars and paper presentation workshops. It provides participants with an in-depth and multifaceted academic exchange experience while promoting cross-regional and interdisciplinary dialogue in public policy research.
Participants came from leading universities worldwide, including the National University of Singapore, University of Hong Kong, University College London, Humboldt University of Berlin, Jagiellonian University and University of Warsaw in Poland, and Beihang University in Beijing, underscoring the programme’s strong international standing and academic impact.
