4 Follow Us on Social Media Contact Us (852) 3469 2721 ppolpr@ust.hk The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology c/o Division of Public Policy (PPOL) Room 4611, Academic Building, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Programs designed for international EM students should specifically target social isolation, loneliness, homesickness, fear of missing out, and problematic social media use. Structured peer-mentorship schemes, intercultural buddy programs, and community-building activities can foster meaningful social connections and enhance students’ sense of belonging. In addition, accessible self-help resources and culturally responsive cognitive-behavioural therapy can help students regulate emotions and develop healthier coping strategies. These initiatives should prioritize the strengthening of relatedness, which is central to psychological well-being, and ensure that support services are proactive rather than solely crisis-driven. Strengthen Institutional Policies to Reduce Ethnic Segregation and Discrimination for Local EM Students For local EM students, universities should implement reforms at the institutional and structural levels to address systemic inequities, ethnic segregation, and discrimination. This strategy should include reviews of admission practices, classroom dynamics, group project arrangements, and campus housing policies to ensure inclusive participation and equality of opportunity. Faculty and staff training in cultural competence and anti-bias education should be mandatory, promoting inclusive teaching and supervision practices. Universities should also establish transparent reporting and accountability mechanisms to address discriminatory incidents effectively. By embedding inclusion in institutional governance, policies, and everyday campus practices, higher education institutions can create environments where EM students feel respected, represented, and valued rather than marginalized. Promote Public Education and Anti-Discrimination Campaigns Beyond the university context, broader societal efforts are needed to combat prejudice and improve social integration. Public education campaigns should aim to enhance understanding of ethnic diversity and challenge stereotypes that mischaracterize EM and non-Chinese populations in Hong Kong. Collaboration between universities, policymakers, and community organizations can promote inclusive narratives in both campus and workplace settings. Legal and regulatory frameworks should be strengthened and consistently enforced to eliminate racial discrimination wherever possible. At the same time, awareness initiatives should encourage positive intergroup contact and mutual respect. Such multi-level strategies can foster long-term cultural change, contributing to a more inclusive and psychologically supportive social climate for EM students. Main Reference Xinyi, W. & Sharif, N. (2026). Life as an ethnic minority (EM) university student: Comparing mental health challenges among local and international EM students in Hong Kong. British Educational Research Journal, 00, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.70196 FUNDING INFORMATION This Public Policy Bulletin is developed under the Jockey Club Shining Together with Cross-Cultural Youth Project (Project No. 2023-CP05), funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The project period is from March 2024 to February 2027. Xinyi Wang is a postdoctoral fellow at the Division of Public Policy, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where she received her Ph.D. degree in Public Policy. Dr. Wang’s interdisciplinary research interests include public health, social equity, and sustainable development. Dr. Wang’s research has been published in several peerreviewed academic journals, including Energy Research & Social Science, Energy Economics, Politics & Policy, and British Educational Research Journal. Naubahar Sharif heads the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong. Before joining EdUHK, he worked for 20 years at HKUST, leading its Public Policy Division from 2021 to 2025. His research covers Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area innovation & STI policies, the Belt and Road Initiative, and local mental health. He has over 50 peerreviewed publications in top Q1 journals, with his solo work featured in HKUST’s 2020 and 2025 Research Assessment Exercises. He holds multiple RGC grants, led HK$27 million mental health research projects (including HK$14 million from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, 2021–2023), and participated in CRF and SPPR projects. The impact of rainfall on productivity: Implications for Chinese manufacturing Public Policy BULLETIN
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