Postgraduate education at Lingnan University means more than classroom learning and research. Lingnan provides an invaluable liberal arts experience, rich in pedagogy, internationalism, experiential learning activities and exchange opportunities. For these reasons, THE University Impact Rankings 2020 rate us second best in the world for “Quality Education”.
Although COVID-19 is affecting everyone all over the world and making a particular impact on education, our Lingnan School of Graduate Studies has never stopped supporting experiential learning activities with extra aid and funding. Our Master of Arts in International Higher Education and Management (IHEM) programme, for instance, held a gathering at the Shangri-La Hotel Shenzhen in January for alumni and their families to celebrate their achievements, and to exchange ideas and network.
In June, our Master of Science in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behavior (MScHRMOB), Master of Social Sciences in Organizational Psychology and Educational Management (OPEM), and IHEM and Master of Science in International Banking and Finance (MIBF) programmes co-organised the “Senior Executive Forum – Managing Finance and Human Capital under the COVID-19 Storm” on campus online, where scholars, experts and students discussed the latest coronavirus issues and potential solutions to current global challenges.
During the forum, Frank Zhang of China Everbright Limited spoke about the risks and opportunities in the financial industry during the epidemic, and China Everbright Bank’s new “1-4-3” strategic plan for development as well as the company’s diversified investment portfolio. Prof Ada Wong of Lingnan presented the results of a survey on working from home, analysing Hong Kong employees’ challenges and attitudes. And Fonia Wong, Council member of Lingnan University and Senior Director and Business Development Director of Pacific Everbright Sun Hung Kai Private Limited, discussed her career with students, giving them practical guidance.
In order to equip graduates with the necessary workplace skills and mindset, and help them integrate into a cooperative work environment, the MScHRMOB Programme organised a Leadership Incubation Programme (LIP) from 16 to 17 June 2020. During the two-day training course, Dr Frankie Lam, Programme Director of MScHRMOB, lectured on the core skills of an entry-level leader “FIT” (Facilitation skills, Interpersonal skills and Team-building skills) and honed participants’ presentation skills in different scenarios such as providing positive feedback to colleagues, receiving criticism from others, and delivering bad news. On the second day of the course, Elsie Yung, a leading HR practitioner and consultant, organized team-building activities to teach the effectiveness of cooperation.
Every November, the annual Conference for Higher Education Research (CHER), a flagship international academic conference, is hosted on Lingnan’s main Tuen Mun campus. Co-organised with the Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership (APHERP) and in collaboration with the University of Bath and Durham University this year, international scholars and experts will gather on 13 and 14 November to consider the staggering impact of COVID-19 on the future of higher education, and the innovations required to meet global tests, with special focus on institutional management, teaching and learning restructuring, the redirection of emerging higher education research, finance and university governance.
During the outbreak, most international trips and visits have had to be postponed, including the International Postgraduate Summer School programme’s trip to Oxford, however, Lingnan will deliver online courses and activities in conjunction with universities and institutions around the world, maintaining its experiential teaching and learning at the highest levels thanks to its strong international ties.