Lingnan University Postgraduate Association hosts the first Lingnan Voices in Governance—LegCo Members at Lingnan Seminar

The Lingnan University Postgraduate Association (LUPGSA) hosted the Lingnan Voices in Governance—LegCo Members at Lingnan Seminar on 24 November with two influential alumni of Lingnan University and Hong Kong Legislative Council members, Mr Chan Hok-fung and Mr Frankie Ngan Man-yu, as keynote speakers. They all expressed expert opinions and described personal experiences in public policy, focusing on housing and human resources in Hong Kong. The seminar provided an exceptional opportunity for Lingnan students to gain a deeper understanding of Hong Kong’s social development, inspiring the younger generation to take a positive, responsible attitude towards public affairs.

The event was attended by Prof Lau Chi-pang, Associate Vice-President (Institutional Advancement and External Affairs) cum Director of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, Prof Li Donghui, Associate Vice-President (Experiential Learning Projects), representatives from the Office of Institutional Advancement and Public Affairs, the Office of National Engagement, and the Lingnan University Chinese Students and Scholars Association. Representatives from the Young Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (YDAB) and postgraduate associations of several Hong Kong universities, including The Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, and the University of Hong Kong, were also invited.

Prof Li Donghui delivered the opening remarks, welcomed the two legislators back to their alma mater to share their insights and praised their political contributions to Hong Kong, honouring the University’s motto “Education for Service”.

Mr Chan Hok-fung’s speech “Approaching Liveability: Hong Kong’s Housing Policies and Talent Attraction Strategies” drew on his extensive experience in housing, and he gave a thorough analysis of current policy challenges and opportunities, proposing innovative solutions to enable home ownership for young people and sustainable housing development, and recommending the Government optimise the ratio between public and private housing supply while addressing the housing needs of younger generations in the interest of societal stability and progress.

Mr Frankie Ngan Man-yu described the success of government policies in his speech “Cultivating and Attracting Talents: Strategies and Practices for Positioning Hong Kong as a Talent Hub”. He explained initiatives such as the Top Talent Pass Scheme, and the importance of improving educational and social amenities to boost Hong Kong’s appeal internationally. Mr Ngan also said that Lingnan University’s whole-person education philosophy is important for Hong Kong to attract leaders.

During the Q&A session, students engaged directly with the speakers, raising questions on housing, employment, and urban liveability in Hong Kong. The discussions were both astute and stimulating, helping many students refine their career aspirations. One student commented “This event broadened my understanding of Hong Kong’s housing and talent policies. I look forward to conducting more research in this field and engaging further with the speakers.”

In his closing remarks, Prof Lau Chi-pang thanked the two legislators for their thoughtful presentations and suggested students learn from the seminar, and that they actively participate in social affairs, and work together to promote Hong Kong’s long-term development.

This first Lingnan Voices in Governance Seminar was widely praised for the quality of the discussions and dynamic exchanges. LUPGSA said that it will organise similar events in the future to foster meaningful exchanges and voice diverse perspectives between students and the community.