Lingnan University Department of Psychology hosts joint symposium and signs dual master’s degree agreement with Renmin University of China

30 Jan 2026

Lingnan University’s Department of Psychology hosts a joint symposium with Renmin University of China and Sungkyunkwan University.

Lingnan University’s Department of Psychology hosts a joint symposium with Renmin University of China and Sungkyunkwan University.

Lingnan University and Renmin University of China sign a dual master’s degree agreement. Front row, first from right: Prof Siu Oi-ling, Head of the Department of Psychology and Lam Woo & Co Ltd Chair Professor of Applied Psychology at Lingnan University; Prof Xin Ziqiang, Head of the Department of Psychology at Renmin University of China. Prof William Hayward, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chair Professor of Psychology at Lingnan University (back row, first right); Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning at Lingnan University (back row, middle).

Lingnan University and Renmin University of China sign a dual master’s degree agreement. Front row, first from right: Prof Siu Oi-ling, Head of the Department of Psychology and Lam Woo & Co Ltd Chair Professor of Applied Psychology at Lingnan University; Prof Xin Ziqiang, Head of the Department of Psychology at Renmin University of China. Prof William Hayward, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chair Professor of Psychology at Lingnan University (back row, first right); Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning at Lingnan University (back row, middle).

On 28 January 2026, Lingnan University’s Department of Psychology hosted a joint symposium with Renmin University of China and Sungkyunkwan University. which included the signing ceremony for a dual master’s degree agreement between Lingnan University and Renmin University of China. The symposium brought renowned scholars and experts in psychology from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, and South Korea together to encourage academic cooperation and cross-regional research exchange and development.

 

It opened with welcoming remarks from Prof William Hayward, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Chair Professor of Psychology, and Prof Siu Oi-ling, Head of the Department of Psychology and Lam Woo & Co Ltd Chair Professor of Applied Psychology, who greeted the distinguished guests warmly, and voiced their hope for greater collaboration between the three universities. This was followed by a group photo to commemorate this important occasion.

 

The symposium included interesting and thoughtful presentations by:

  • Prof Victoria Yeung Wai-lan, Professor of Department of Psychology at Lingnan University who ended the session with her lecture titled “Unpacking the Placebo Effect”, introducing the latest advancements in psychological research on the placebo effect.

  • Prof Xin Ziqiang, Head of the Department of Psychology at Renmin University of China spoke on “How Social Identity Complexity Influences Trust”, a detailed examination of the mechanisms by which social identity influences the development of trust.

  • Prof Park Daeun from Sungkyunkwan University gave a discourse on “How Emotional Validation Fosters Motivation”, analysing the critical role of emotional validation in enhancing learning and workplace motivation.

  • Prof Cho Isu from Sungkyunkwan University addressed “Age-Related Differences in Social Decision-Making,” explaining the psychological and behavioural characteristics of different age groups during social decision-making processes.

Later that afternoon, a formal signing ceremony between Lingnan University and Renmin University of China established a dual master’s degree programme, marking a new milestone in their strategic partnership. Speeches were given by Prof Xin Yao, Vice-President (Research and Innovation) and Tong Tin Sun Chair Professor of Machine Learning at Lingnan University, Prof William Hayward, Prof Siu Oi-ling, and Prof Xin Ziqiang, who expressed high hopes and shared visions for increased cooperation and scholarly exchange between the two universities. Both institutions anticipate more academic contact between their faculties and students in the future.

 

This joint symposium and signing ceremony, organised by the Department of Psychology at Lingnan, provided a valuable platform for intellectual exchange and knowledge-sharing, and also laid a solid foundation for a closer association in psychology education and research.

 

The mutual understanding and relationships between the three universities have been strengthened, and new opportunities for future academic partnerships created, which demonstrate the international outlook, academic excellence, and global commitment of Lingnan University’s Department of Psychology.