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Dear SEDS Alumni and Current Students,

We’re excited to share with you the first issue of the SEDS Newsletter!

This edition is packed with updates, stories, and highlights from our community – from student achievements to alumni success stories.

Your voice matters to us. We’d love to hear your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to make our newspaper even better in the future.

📄 Read the newspaper here.

Please take a few minutes to read it and let us know what you think.

Thank you for being part of the SEDS family. Your engagement and ideas help us grow stronger together.

Welcome to the start of your new adventure! Embrace new challenges, make lasting friendships, and discover your potential. We’re thrilled to have you join our SSPS community!

Utilization of Chinese Medicine among Hong Kong Citizens
during the COVID-19 pandemic

The role of Chinese medicine in pandemic response stands out; 
public usage has significantly increased
The efficacy of Chinese medicine is widely recognized; 
a new landscape of diversified healthcare is emerging

The COVID-19 pandemic lasted for over three years, during which Hong Kong experienced five waves of outbreaks, placing immense pressure on the public healthcare system and medical resources. During this period, the Chinese medicine sector actively participated in anti-pandemic efforts, including the formation of the "Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Anti-Epidemic Alliance," the arrival of the Mainland Chinese Medicine Expert Group of Central Authorities in April 2022 to provide support in Hong Kong’s anti-epidemic efforts, and government-funded remote consultations and rehabilitation services provided by Chinese Medicine Clinics. These efforts reflect the role Chinese medicine played during the pandemic. However, systematic research is still lacking on how Chinese medicine contributed and whether related policies have influenced public perception and usage of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

Led by Professor CHIU Wing-kai Stephen of the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong, the research team conducted a large-scale survey funded by the Chinese Medicine Development Fund between March and April 2025, interviewing 1,505 residents aged 18 or above. The study aimed to understand changes in public attitudes and usage of Chinese medicine during and after the pandemic. Findings showed a significant increase in the use of Chinese medicine, especially among women and older adults, who were more inclined to combine Chinese and Western medicine. Most respondents recognized the preventive benefits of Chinese medicine and generally regarded it as safe and scientific. Over half had used anti-pandemic Chinese patent medicines and gave positive feedback, although usage of government-funded Chinese medicine services remained relatively low.

In Post-pandemic, the usage rate of general Chinese medicine rose from 26.6% in 2020 to 47.0%, with notable increases in specialized services such as acupuncture and bone-setting. Women and those aged 60 or above showed higher usage rates. The main reasons for seeking Chinese medicine were regulating body constitution and pain relief, indicating a clear functional role. In terms of confidence in efficacy, Chinese medicine was seen as effective for disease prevention, while Western medicine was preferred for acute treatment. About 56% of respondents supported a dual medical system combining both approaches. Regarding information sources, family and friends were the primary channels, followed by clinics and social media. Most people believed Chinese medicine had fewer side effects and was safe, rejecting the notion that it is "unscientific." While most found consultation fees reasonable, low-income groups felt the financial burden more acutely. Public understanding of Chinese medicine remained mostly superficial, with few having in-depth knowledge.
Those with better knowledge of Chinese medicine were more likely to use it or combine it with Western medicine. Regarding COVID-19 treatment, more than half of respondents had used Chinese medicine resources and gave positive evaluations. About 30% of infected individuals had consulted Chinese medicine practitioners, with higher rates among women and older adults. Low-income groups were more inclined to use government-subsidized services. Habitual users of Chinese medicine were more likely to rely on it during the pandemic, suggesting that their experiences carried over into the post-pandemic period.

In conclusion, Chinese medicine played an active role in Hong Kong’s pandemic response, enhancing public awareness and trust. It has become an important option for healthcare and wellness management in the post-pandemic era. With continued policy support and growing public demand, Chinese medicine in Hong Kong has promising prospects and is well-positioned to meet the diverse healthcare needs of society.

The Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB) has confirmed that graduates of the Master of Arts in Personal Finance Education Programme (MA(PFE)) will receive modular exemptions in several important professional banking qualifications. These include the Certified Banker (CB) Stages I and II, and the Enhanced Competency Framework on Retail Wealth Management (ECF-RWM). The exemptions are effective from 1 August 2025.

Under this new arrangement, MA(PFE) graduates can skip specific modules when taking these qualifications. Specifically, they are exempt from the Risk Management Module of CB Stage I, the Corporate Finance Services Module of CB Stage II, and Module 2 Investment Planning of ECF-RWM.

The Certified Banker and Enhanced Competency Framework qualifications are widely recognised by Hong Kong’s financial regulators and banking industry. The exemptions granted to MA(PFE) graduates show that the programme closely matches industry standards and meets the expectations for talent in Hong Kong’s banking and financial sectors.

As Hong Kong aims to strengthen its position as an international centre for asset and wealth management and expand its cross-border wealth management business with mainland China, the demand for skilled professionals in wealth management is growing. The industry especially values experts with comprehensive investment planning skills.

Previously, MA(PFE) has also earned other professional recognitions in finance, such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Certified Financial Technologist (CFT), and ECF-Fintech. These recognitions help graduates explore diverse career paths in wealth management, investment planning, fintech, and more.

This update is good news for MA(PFE) students and graduates, as it supports their professional growth and helps them meet the needs of Hong Kong’s evolving financial industry.

Details of modular exemptions for CB I, CB II and ECF-RWM:

*Effective from 1 August, 2025

Mr Wong Kin Sing, a Year 1 student from the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Social Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, has been actively preparing for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurship Competition under the guidance of Adjunct Assistant Professor Marshall Jen. The competition is jointly organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People's Republic of China, the Central Government’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province. 

Mr Wong will represent the programme with his work called “Employease” under the “Modern Services and Cultural Creativity” track, focusing on career challenges ex-offenders face. He is dedicated to eliminating prejudice and creating fair opportunities for them to return to the workforce. In late July, Mr Wong, together with our adjunct Assistant Professor Marshall Jen, visited He Innovation Space (和創空間) in Shunde, to collect first-hand data on corporate attitudes towards hiring ex-offenders. 

“There will be a lot of similar business models in this competition, but not many will have a social enterprise model included. This is where we differentiate ourselves and shine.” Marshall says. The Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Social Entrepreneurship and Development Studies at The Education University of Hong Kong has always encouraged students to participate in entrepreneurship competitions both in Hong Kong and internationally, demonstrating the spirit of social entrepreneurship to help build a more inclusive society. 

The Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) programme proudly hosted its Alumni Gathering on July 26th in Shenzhen, bringing together 100+ alumni and friends for a day of networking, reflection, and celebration.

The event featured engaging interactions with 10 distinguished professors and guests from the Department of Social Sciences and Policy Studies (SSPS), including Prof Anthony Cheung, Prof Peter Cheung, Prof Lui Tai-lok, Prof Alex He, Dr Willy Huang, Dr Tommy Kwan, Dr Fox Hu, Dr Xiao Hanyu, Dr Vincent Wen, and Dr Lina Vyas.

The MPPM alumni and friends had the opportunity to reconnect with their professors, mentors, and peers, share experiences, and strengthen the vibrant MPPM community. It reinforces the enduring bonds between graduates and their alma mater, while also inspiring current and future students through the success stories of alumni.

"We are delighted to see our alumni thriving and coming together to support each other," said Dr. Lina VYAS, MPPM Program Leader. "Events like this are vital to maintaining the strong network and collaborative spirit that define the MPPM community."

The MPPM program continues to uphold its commitment to fostering leadership and innovation in public policy and management, and this event exemplifies the program's dedication to lifelong academic engagement and community building.

For more information, please visit: https://www.eduhk.hk/ssps/mppm

-funded by UGC Scheme for Mainland and Global Engagement and Student Learning Experience

On the evening of Saturday, June 28, 2025, Professor CHIU, Wing-kai Stephen and Dr. SU Xuebing Sabrina hosted a three-hour training workshop themed around career planning and professional development for young Chinese medicine practitioners. The workshop is part of the Impact Case Study project entitled “The Development of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong: Professionalization, Utilization and Policies” in the 2026 Research Assessment Exercise. 

The event took place at the venue of the Sin-Hua Herbalists’ and Herb Dealers’ Promotion Society (新華中醫中藥促進會) and was intended for recent graduates and practitioners with less than ten years of experience. A total of 19 young Chinese medicine practitioners attended the workshop. The event was co-organized by the Sin-Hua Herbalists’ and Herb Dealers’ Promotion Society, The University of Hong Kong Bachelor of Chinese Medicine (Full-time) Alumni Association, Hong Kong Baptist University School of Chinese Medicine (Full-Time) Alumni Association, and Chinese Medicine Alumni Association of The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The workshop began at 6:30 p.m. with Professor CHIU presenting data from previous survey studies to explain how Hong Kong residents utilize Chinese medicine. He also reviewed and analyzed the current challenges and realities faced by the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong. Dr. SO then introduced the concept of social psychological capital, discussing its relevance to achieving workplace well-being and sustainable development. Participants gained insights on how to translate their beliefs and values into concrete actions in their daily work. The speakers encouraged attendees to reflect on whether they have had mentors or guiding figures accompany them throughout their career development. Through interactive activities, group discussions, and a Q&A session, Dr. SO inspired participants to revisit and describe the highs and lows of their career journeys.

The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) and The Institute of Financial Planners of Hong Kong (IFPHK) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 2 July to commence a three-year partnership, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to enhance the financial planning profession. This partnership aims to elevate professional standards through the integration of academic and institutional resources, broaden pathways for CFP certification, promote a diversified qualification framework, deepen collaboration among research, academic and industry sectors and establish a long-term strategic alliance. This initiative addresses the evolving needs of the financial sector and seeks new momentum to drive its growth.

The signing ceremony took place on EdUHK’s Tai Po campus, officiated by Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK and Dr Paris Yeung, CEO of IFPHK. The ceremony was also attended by Professor Susanna Yeung Siu-sze, Acting Vice President (Academic) and Associate Vice President (Quality Assurance), Ms Helen Gai Huixia, Associate Vice President (Mainland Engagement and Development), Professor Li Wai-keung, Dean of Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (FLASS), and Mr Edmond Kuo-hoi, Director of Finance of EdUHK; as well as Mr Edwin Cheung, Chairman and Dr Keith Yu, Vice Chairman (Development) of IFPHK.

EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin said that the University was focused on ‘Education Futures, Diverse Talents’ as its strategic development. Over the years, the University has had a long-standing commitment to academic development and talent cultivation in personal finance and financial education. In response to the rising demand for personal finance specialists, the University pioneered Hong Kong's first Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Personal Finance and Master of Arts in Personal Finance Education programmes, both dedicated to personal and family financial planning and wealth management.

“The collaboration with IFPHK will further align EdUHK’s personal finance programmes with the internationally recognised CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification standards, supporting the University’s strategic development on professional and vocational education (PVE). This partnership underscores the financial services sector’s recognition and trust in EdUHK’s academic quality assurance and demonstrates EdUHK’s commitment to active community engagement and partnerships. Looking ahead, EdUHK will continue to maintain close collaboration with the field and professional institutions, to enhance financial literacy and jointly promote the realisation of sustainable development goals,” Professor Lee said.

In his remarks, Mr Edwin Cheung, Chairman of IFPHK said, “This collaboration with EdUHK holds special significance as we celebrate IFPHK’s 25th anniversary this year. It exemplifies a seamless exchange between academia and practice. Graduates of the Master of Arts in Personal Finance Education will directly meet the education requirement for CFP certification, paving an ideal career path for our emerging talents. Additionally, this collaboration expands the spectrum of the education framework. The upcoming Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Personal Finance will further complement the talent pipeline for the financial planning industry. We are especially grateful to EdUHK Professor John Lee, President of EdUHK, for his exceptional leadership to enhance Hong Kong’s position as a global wealth management centre.

He continued, “The CFP certification is recognised as the world’s most authoritative financial planning qualification, known for its stringent ‘4E’ requirement: education, examination, experience and ethics. As the sole licensing body in Hong Kong and Macau authorised by the Financial Planning Standards Board Limited, IFPHK has nurtured nearly 3,600 certificants. Globally, CFP professionals are present across 28 economies, exceeding 230,000 professionals. This underscores the international recognition of the certification.”