Head’s Message Welcome to the 2025–26 academic year at the Division of Public Policy (PPOL), HKUST! Whether you are a returning member of our community or joining us for the first time, I extend my warmest greetings and enthusiasm for the opportunities that await us. As we stand on the cusp of a new chapter, I must share that by the time you read this newsletter, I will have stepped down as Head of PPOL after four remarkable years, making this message both a welcome and a farewell. Leading PPOL has been an extraordinary privilege. Our talented faculty, dedicated staff, and brilliant students have transformed the Division into a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary policy research and education. Over the past four years, we have amplified our research impact, enhanced our academic programs, and deepened our engagement with local and global communities. Notably, in May 2025, PPOL proudly hosted the AUA Asia Pacific Public Policy Network Conference for the third time in five years, reinforcing our leadership in regional policy discourse. The creativity, resilience, and commitment of our PPOL community have been a constant source of inspiration. I am delighted to highlight several faculty achievements this year: • Professor Alex He has been promoted to Full Professor and received the prestigious Humanities and Social Science Fellowship from the Research Grants Council. • Professor Pengyu Zhu has also been promoted to Full Professor. • Dr. Yatang Lin (50% Economics, 50% PPOL) has earned promotion to Associate Professor with substantiation. • Research Assistant Professor Nicole Ludovice secured a General Research Fund (GRF) award. • Professors Alex He and Kira Matus each received additional GRF awards, bringing our Division’s total to three this year—the highest of any Division within AIS. Our students have also excelled. Notably, MPP students Li Yueqing, Li Haixin, and Chen Shumin participated in the Project Competition on Designing Safety, Health, and Well-being at Work in the Digital Age, organized by the Hong Kong Occupational Safety & Health Council. Their proposal was shortlisted for the global finals at the ILO Youth Congress during the Osaka World Expo, where they proudly represented Hong Kong and won the competition. Summarizing my four years as Head of PPOL in a few sentences is a task beyond even the most skilled wordsmith. If my contributions do not speak for themselves, words alone cannot fill the void. Many factors influenced my decision to conclude this chapter, rooted in a deeply personal reflection. With grace and humility, I am ready to pass the leadership baton to those who will shape the next phase of PPOL’s journey. I am confident in PPOL’s bright future, grounded in our intellectual rigor, collegial culture, and shared commitment to addressing real-world challenges through policy-relevant work. I am profoundly grateful for the collaborations and friendships forged during my tenure, which I will carry forward. I encourage each of you to approach this academic year with curiosity and dedication. Your contributions are vital to PPOL’s mission. Thank you for allowing me to serve this remarkable community. I look forward to witnessing the Division’s continued success. Professor Naubahar SHARIF Head, Division of Public Policy 2
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