HKUST Division of Public Policy

HKUST is a dynamic, internationally renowned research university that pursues excellence in science, technology, business and the humanities, and educates future generations of global leaders and thinkers. Since it opened its doors in October 1991, HKUST has established itself as an intellectual powerhouse, contributed to the rise of the Greater Bay Area as one of the world’s leading centers of innovation, and secured a place on the academic world map. In under three decades, HKUST has risen rapidly in the global academic rankings to become one of the Asia’s top universities. In 2021, HKUST is ranked 27th among 1000 universities and no.2 in the world’s top 50 Universities Under 50 by QS.

While advancements in science and technology have been rapidly expanding the range of solutions for tackling global challenges such as climate change and population ageing, science and technology innovations have also given rise to a complex set of ethical, institutional and legal issues. As a leading university in science and technology, HKUST can play a pivotal role in enhancing policy impacts of innovations in science and technology.  The Division of Public Policy has been established to lead the effort in the development of public policy as an area of significant strength of the University and to contribute more to policy development in key policy areas both locally and globally.

As a part of Interdisciplinary Programs Office (IPO), PPOL focuses on fostering interdisciplinary public policy research and education by harnessing synergies between PPOL and other academic units through joint appointments, collaborative research and joint workshops and conferences. In addition, PPOL works closely with the Institute for Public Policy (IPP) and the Leadership and Public Policy (LAPP) Executive Education to promote knowledge transfer and to enhance the impacts of the advances in science and technology on policy-making.