Qin Weijing Becomes a Teacher – Carrying Forward the Teaching Philosophy of Lingnan’s School of Graduate Studies
“Embrace diversity with an open heart, and pursue your learning with steadfast dedication. Every experience at Lingnan University’s School of Graduate Studies will become the strength that carries you forward on your future journey.”— Qin Weijing, Master of China and Regional Development Studies (Class of 2024) |  |
Aspiring to become a secondary school politics teacher, Qin Weijing studied Ideological and Political Education during her undergraduate years, laying a solid foundation for her career in education. She wanted to go beyond textbook interpretation and develop a global outlook and guide students to think critically. To equip herself, she enrolled in the Master of China and Regional Development Studies (CRDS) programme at Lingnan University (Lingnan)’s School of Graduate Studies (GS). After graduation, she secured a secondary school teaching position and has since applied GS’s teaching philosophy both inside and outside the classroom.
Weijing describes the CRDS programme as “interdisciplinary and practice-oriented”. The curriculum emphasises interdisciplinary teaching, integrating politics, economics, social development and international relations, enabling her to understand policy logic and social phenomena from a macro perspective. In courses such as “Theories and Approaches of International Relations: From Global to China” and “Social Development and Policy Change in Asia”, she deepened her theoretical grounding while connecting national policy to regional development realities, strengthening her critical thinking and multi‑dimensional analytical skills. The programme also places strong emphasis on practice, with learning activities spanning policy analysis, research reports, international conferences and academic exchanges. This diverse training has greatly enhanced her ability to integrate information quickly and articulate ideas with clarity and logical precision.
The CRDS programme consolidated Weijing’s professional competence, and its accreditation further strengthened her competitiveness when applying for teaching post. She shared, “In the Chinese Mainland, the CRDS programme is recognised under Political Science and meets the professional requirements for teacher recruitment. This gave me an advantage during the screening stages.” She remarked, “During the interviews, interviewers clearly recognised the alignment between my academic background and the teaching positions, which proved to be a significant benefit.”
Weijing now teaches political studies at a secondary school in Foshan. She believes that the interaction between teachers and students at the GS has profoundly shaped her teaching philosophy and style. In 2024, she participated in the International Symposium on Africa-China Relations in the Digital Era: Power, Precarities, and Prospects, which brought together scholars from 12 countries and regions to examine the power and governance in Africa-China relations. She recalled that the experts’ insights were highly rewarding, and what impressed her most was Prof Padmore Adusei Amoah, Assistant Professor at the GS, continued the discussion with students after the symposium, integrating key ideas with concrete case studies to further refine research frameworks and approaches.
She further shared, “The instructors not only provided feedback on my academic work but also listened patiently to my questions on research and career planning, even sharing their personal experiences. This made me appreciate the power of ‘equal dialogue’ and ‘in-depth exploration’.” Today, Weijing strives to practise this model on campus, carrying forward the teaching philosophy of the GS. Rather than merely transmitting knowledge, she encourages students to articulate their views through questioning and group discussions. She also takes the initiative to engage with students after class, addressing academic difficulties and listening to their concerns about growth. She believes that trust built through communication significantly enhance the effectiveness of teaching.
Reflecting on her academic journey and personal growth, Weijing advises prospective postgraduates. “Postgraduate study in Hong Kong moves at a fast pace. Make use of the resources and academic databases at the Fong Sum Wood Library, and preview core readings in English in advance. Actively participate in academic conferences and classroom discussions, and engage with teachers and peers — even raising a question can bring valuable insights.” She believes, “Embrace diversity with an open heart, and pursue your learning with steadfast dedication. Every experience at Lingnan’s School of Graduate Studies will become the strength that carries you forward on your future journey.”