校友和学生分享

LI Tsz Yin, Kelvin (UG, 2025)

Studying Economics at Lingnan University shaped the way I think, not just what I know. In Applied Econometrics, taught by Professor Chen Yiting, I completed a research project studying how demographic factors influenced voting behavior in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, using regression modelling and diagnostic testing to properly examine the data. It was the first time I really learned what it means to test an idea rigorously instead of just discussing it.

Knowing how to test ideas rigorously became invaluable after taking Professor Larry Qiu’s International Trade course, where we studied the Melitz Effect: when trade exposes firms to competition, the least efficient ones exit while the most productive firms grow stronger. It's a reminder that competition doesn't just threaten a business — it's also what sharpens the ones that survive it.

That question — what allows a firm to survive and grow under competition — became the core of my Junior Research Project, supervised by Professor Zhang Tianle, where I studied the conditions under which startups can use AI to catch up with established firms. I was building a startup of my own at the time, so it wasn't just an academic exercise: the same question I was researching was one I was living through.

I'm grateful to my professors and the department for the training and support that shaped this way of thinking, and I hope it continues to serve me well going forward.

CHEUNG Man Hin, Alvis

Studying Economics at Lingnan University fulfilled my deep curiosity regarding how the global economy operates. While the theoretical foundations were fascinating, Econometrics was a personal highlight as it taught me to move beyond theoretical "empty talk" and test economic hypotheses empirically using statistical techniques.

My undergraduate years were characterized by profound international exposure. Through a Service-Learning program in the Philippines, I collaborated on a longevity advocacy project. We conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders in community settings rarely seen by tourists, providing me with a rare perspective on social issues. This global outlook was further enriched during my exchange in the US, which significantly enhanced my English proficiency and expanded my international network. Crucially, while taking the Economics of Education at my host university, I became fascinated by the impact of institutional investment on learning. I brought this inspiration back to Lingnan as the focus of my Junior Research Project (JRP), where I investigated the relationship between teacher salaries and student outcomes. I am immensely grateful to my JRP supervisor for her dedicated guidance. Her mentorship was instrumental in helping me develop independent research and academic writing skills.

Furthermore, I am sincerely thankful to the administrative staff for their continuous support and for entrusting me with various roles as an event helper and student speaker. These experiences were vital in building my confidence in public speaking and my ability to collaborate effectively with others. The precious opportunities I received at Lingnan have provided me with a rigorous analytical foundation and a global worldview that I will carry forward throughout my career.

GUO Yiting (PhD, 2025)

I am a PhD student in the double PhD program between Wuhan University and Lingnan University. I am deeply grateful for this excellent program, which allowed me to spend two valuable and fulfilling years at Lingnan University. It opened a new academic horizon and life experience for me, and it strengthened both my research foundation and personal growth. I truly cherish this rare opportunity to study here, and I sincerely wish the program continued progress in the years ahead.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to every professor and friend I met during this journey. First, I want to give my special thanks to my supervisor, Professor HONG Fuhai. Throughout my PhD research and dissertation writing, he gave me strong support and patient guidance. He helped me refine my work, encouraged me to present at suitable conferences, and showed me what it means to pursue research with rigor and commitment. I am also grateful to all the faculty members in our department. They built a rich academic environment, invited leading scholars from around the world, and created valuable chances for us to speak with experts one on one. I gained so much from these experiences. I am also grateful to our university for the support it provided in many aspects. The financial support for academic conferences made it possible for me to attend the ESA World Meeting and the ESA Asian Meeting in my research field. These experiences broadened my view and helped me learn from scholars from many places.

Finally, I sincerely wish our university and our department steady growth and continued success. I hope they will keep building a strong academic environment, attract more outstanding scholars and students, and achieve even greater accomplishments in the future.

NIE Cong (PhD, 2024)

I am the first PhD graduate from the joint PhD program between Wuhan University and Lingnan University. Even though I've appreciated this program to anyone I familiar with, I have to say again that this program is excellent, fostering an exchange of knowledge and culture that enriches both our academic and personal lives. I am profoundly grateful for this opportunity, and I sincerely hope that this program continues to thrive and expand.

Then, I need to say many thanks to many people. First, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Professor Qiu, for his instruction. Say many thanks to all faculty members in our department, have provided an environment rich with academic resources and opportunities. Their efforts to regularly invite distinguished professors from around the world for lectures and seminars have immensely broadened our horizons and deepened our understanding of our field.

For the time limitation, I cannot thank all of you in this 2-minute speech. You can download my thesis from the website of Lingnan University and see my full version of the acknowledgements

In the end, I wish our university, our departments, and all my colleagues continued success. I must explain that the success is different for university and us. May our university rise in global rankings, our faculty and students publish groundbreaking papers.

PENG Junbang (UG, 2024)

Studying Economics at Lingnan University was definitely meaningful. This experience stimulated a strong interest in Economics within me. It allowed me to gain a deeper comprehension of the underlying logic governing our world.

During my undergraduate studies, I have gained a lot of professional knowledge from the diverse curriculum offered by our department. In addition to fundamental economics courses, I have taken courses in different fields, such as public policy, behavioral economics, family economics, and so on. All of the courses were intriguing and have helped me to gain a deeper understanding of different fields, which have been invaluable to my future development. Besides, the Junior Research Project was truly rewarding. The combination of theory and practice sparked my interest in economics research, allowing me to profoundly realize the significance of Economics. At the same time, It also helped me make close connections with professors.

I'm also very grateful to my professors. They not only taught me the theory of economics, but also helped me develop critical thinking and the ability to analyze problems. Each of their lectures was always full of inspiration. And every explanation deepened my understanding that economics is not just a subject, but a way of thinking and solving problems.

In addition, throughout this academic journey, I have also gained many friends. I truly enjoyed working with my classmates to solve complex problems through teamwork. Every group discussion and every research project has been an opportunity for me to grow. Their insights and perspectives have often been invaluable.

Finally, my gratitude extends to my advisor and all staff. They have patiently helped me plan my courses, offered valuable advice, and resolved the problems I have faced. They have demonstrated a high level of responsibility, ensuring that all aspects of the department run efficiently. In the future, I believe that the help and knowledge I have gained here will serve as my strong foundation moving forward.

LIU Wei (PhD, 2023)

My journey as a PhD student in Economics provided me with rigorous research methodology and empirical analysis skills. During my years of doctoral study, the interactions with my supervisor Prof. Xiao and Prof. Ye have been invaluable in shaping my academic research. Their guidance, expertise, and unwavering support have fostered an environment where I can enjoy the learning process. Their assistance is critical in the challenging PhD study. The intensive empirical academic training imparted by my supervisor and Prof. Ye formed the solid foundation for my scholarly research in the relevant field. However, it is worth highlighting the immense benefits I have derived from our department as well. The seminars and weekly workshops organized within our department afforded us numerous opportunities to engage in vibrant discussions about our research with highly intelligent and passionate scholars hailing from diverse universities. Furthermore, the department exhibits a keen focus on our PhD program and consistently strives to create a nurturing research environment, recognizing its paramount importance in our academic journeys.

If you find yourself contemplating whether to apply for this program, the resounding answer is “yes, you should apply.” The professors within our department are not only incredibly approachable and supportive, but they also possess a remarkable track record of publishing papers in esteemed journals. Enrolling in this program will undoubtedly provide students with the necessary academic training and foster growth in their respective research fields.

BAI Jie (PhD, 2023)

The enriching three-year journey of my PhD in the Department of Economics has provided me with comprehensive training, equipping me for a qualified doctoral path. I was fortune to collaborate with the supportive and wonderful supervisor, Prof. Qiu Dongxiao, who encouraged independent thinking, embraced my mistakes, and respected my choices. The faculty and fellow students showed remarkable kindness, fostering an environment conducive to insightful conversations and collaborative idea exchange, greatly facilitating my academic growth. The administrative staff not only provided essential administrative assistance but also offered priceless emotional support. A highlight is the weekly cutting-edge Brownbag Seminars, featuring presentations by prominent professors from leading universities worldwide, affording postgraduates like me the opportunity to engage with esteemed scholars and receive invaluable feedback. Beyond the seminars, one-on-one meetings with the speakers organized by the Department have also greatly benefited me. In summary, Lingnan University provides extensive resources to support postgraduates’ research.

It’s worth noting that Lingnan University stands out by providing remarkably comfortable accommodations for every postgraduate student, which, to the best of my knowledge, sets it apart from other universities in Hong Kong. The natural environment complements the pursuit of self-cultivation and personal growth. Students who choose to study here will undoubtedly receive unexpected gains in Lingnan University.

LAI Wanting, Sophia (UG, 2023)

It was truly a blessing that I could major in Economics at Lingnan University. I enjoyed my time so much when I was sharing, exchanging, and discussing opinions and experiences in the field of economics with my peers and all those people sharing common interests with me. There were so many intriguing courses and activities offered by our department that fascinated me. After completing the fundamental courses, we could select the areas that we gained interest in and then study and even undertake research in these areas. The Junior Research Project, as well as the Senior Thesis, were exactly the programmes that would grant a fairly high degree of freedom to let us explore our curiosity. Some of the courses were conducted along with Service Learning which meant that the practical, field-trip-like activities would be an integral part of the study. Taking one of my experiences as an example, The Hong Kong Housing Market included a trip to To Kwa Wan to observe and interview the situation of sub-divided housing was really something meaningful since it offered us opportunities to take a deep look at what the sub-divided houses genuinely looked like.

Of course, there were many more opportunities, like part-time jobs, scholarships, exchange experience, etc., that I acquired within these years. I feel sincerely grateful to all the professors and staff who have been working so faithfully in the department. I would still keep myself trying and endeavoring in this field and wish to achieve more and more and more. It was truly a blessing that I could major in Economics at Lingnan University.

ZHANG Chen (PhD, 2022)

The Ph.D. program in Economics at Lingnan University is my ideal doctoral program. I am very grateful for the high-quality academic environment that the Department of Economics has provided me. The Department of Economics is a small and close-knit community. The administrative staff are professional and supportive. Without their assistance, my research would not have been smooth. The professors and students here exhibit pure and sincere attitudes towards academics, and we can freely exchange our research ideas. The professors are also very willing to assist students. During the past three years, I worked closely with my supervisor Prof. HONG Fuhai, and completed two promising research projects under his guidance. Besides, the department often hosts academic seminars and invites top scholars in Hong Kong to present their cutting-edge research. The seminar series provides postgraduate students with an opportunity to communicate with leading scholars and inspire our own research.

Aside from my academic experiences at LU, I lived a simple, happy, and fulfilling life. The university is not far from downtown, which makes life convenient. The location is also not too close to downtown, so I can enjoy hiking with my friends in a nearby country park on weekends. After graduation, I often reminisce about the lovely people at LU and the golden time I had there. Last but not least, from my viewpoint, Lingnan University's Ph.D. in Economics would be a worthwhile option for you if you're thinking about pursuing a doctorate.

CAO Yiran Carol (PhD, 2022)

My three-year PhD study in Economics equipped me with solid research methodology as well as professional skills. Although the study journey was stressful and challenging by nature, I was fortunate to work with my supportive and considerate supervisors who always believed in me, offered me as much support as possible, and granted me flexibility in developing my research agenda. The rigorous academic training I acquired from my supervisors and cross-institutional courses laid a theoretical foundation for pursuing my academic career in Industrial Organization. In addition to the topic-defense and research finding seminars, the department also encouraged me to present my works in Brownbag seminars, where I received valuable feedback from professors in the department. Meanwhile, the department offered weekly academic seminars on various frontier topics in which students could interact with intelligent and passionate professors from other universities.

I would recommend this program to people who want to pursue an academic career in Economics. Professors in this department are very nice, and they publish papers in high-level academic journals. Students who study in this program would receive rigorous academic training, professional academic guidance, and strong support for research endeavors.

MENG Baosi Bonnie (UG, 2022)

So proud and grateful I am to be an economics major at Lingnan University. At our department, I was exposed to a wide range of courses and seminars covering in-depth economics knowledge and the most edge-cutting insights. These granted me both solid knowledge and, more importantly, a strong and rigorously-logical mindset. I benefitted a lot from the rich opportunities that our department provided to me. During the summer RA internship, I was able to get hands-on academic research experience and work closely with professors. The Best Economic Student Award brought me closer to my goal of doing field studies and going deeper into emerging industries. I will always feel a deep sense of gratitude to the respectable and lovely professors, considerate and supportive staff, as well as my dear fellow peers. Altogether, they emboldened me to achieve professional and tackle any complex problems in today’s global society. Fruitful days at Lingnan passed quickly, but these golden old days will continue to empower me to serve society and realize my value in the future to come.

YUAN Chenzuan Olivia (UG, 2022)

Participating in this summer internship program offered by the Department of Economics was an unforgettable experience for me. Under the guidance of Professor Liu Sibo, I got to know how research takes place and how researchers conduct themselves. By searching information, I understood that Google is not omnipotent. To find valuable and reliable information about government laws on certain issue, I gradually got familiar with the structure of the local Legislative Councils websites and other relevant official websites.

ANADUAKA Uchechi Shirley (PhD, 2019)

The Economics program at LingnanU provided me with the opportunity to develop a clearer view of my research interests in Micro-Development economics. The facilities provided are well equipped with the latest statistical software to ensure the students have all the resources they need for their research. The departmental and visiting professors were very helpful when I encountered some problems with my research. Interacting with them during personal meetings and departmental seminars made my research experience more meaningful. The department also supported me to attend important training workshops. For example, the 3-day Mastering Metrics workshop with Professor Joshua Angrist at the University of Tokyo in Japan and the 5-day Structural Equation Modelling workshop with Dr. Paul Allison at Chicago Booth School of Business in USA. Finally, thanks to Professor Ping Lin and Professor Ho Lun Alex Wong, I am very excited about my future in academia as a researcher and a teacher. I am very thankful for the fruitful research years as a Lingnanian and looking forward to a greater future as a passionate scholar.