- 24 June - 5 July 2026
The Postgraduate Summer School 2026: HSUHK × Oxford × Beihang University, an initiative co-hosted by the Graduate School of The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK), the Hertford College, University of Oxford, and Beihang University, successfully concluded on 5 July. HSUHK awarded scholarships to 15 outstanding postgraduate students from HSUHK and two students from Beihang University, who participated in this immersive summer school programme. The programme included a three-day Hong Kong Session at HSUHK from 24 to 26 June, followed by a seven-day United Kingdom (UK) Session at Hertford College, University of Oxford, from 29 June to 5 July.
The Hong Kong Session started on 24 June with a welcome address by Professor Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Provost and Vice-President (Academic and Research) and Dean of the Graduate School at HSUHK, who highlighted the programme's strategic value in developing globally minded postgraduates. The session featured a series of workshops on research methodologies, intercultural communication, and poster presentation skills, alongside cultural visits to Central Market, Tai Kwun, the West Kowloon Cultural District, and the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
The UK Session at Hertford College, Oxford, offered participants a unique opportunity to study in one of the world's most prestigious academic settings. Founded in 1282, Hertford College is one of Oxford University's oldest colleges, renowned for its iconic Bridge of Sighs and its central location in the historic city. Students engaged in a rigorous academic programme that included sessions on Management Science: Decision Analysis, exploring tools and strategies for effective decision-making, and Management Science: Leadership and Strategy, which examined translating energy into action, overcoming resistance to change, and communicating effectively. A dedicated session on AI and Ethics prompted discussions on fairness, bias, security, and transparency, particularly in teaching and learning, while a seminar on Current UK Social Issues explored how British society is addressing contemporary economic and social challenges. Evenings featured cultural activities with Residential Advisors and an introductory lecture on London.
Beyond the classroom, students explored Oxford's historic landmarks, immersed themselves in British culture, and forged lasting friendships with peers from different backgrounds. Balancing academic rigour with cultural enrichment, the programme broadened students' horizons and deepened their understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to complex global challenges.
The programme reflects the commitment of HSUHK to fostering international academic collaboration, nurturing global talent, and equipping postgraduate students with the academic rigour, cultural competence, and innovative mindset needed to address the grand challenges of our time.
Student Reflections
At six o'clock in the morning in Oxford, I opened the door of my dormitory and ran toward the morning light. As my feet touched the stone-paved streets, the air felt cool yet carried a gentle warmth and clarity. On both sides stood buildings filled with the weight of history. Occasionally, the sound of bells drifted from the towers, deep, lingering and solemn, like a greeting sent from several centuries ago. In class, I learned that true decision‑makers constantly revisit their own processes, and that values without institutional support remain mere ornaments. Group debates on energy crises taught me that real problems have no perfect answers, only choices with costs. I am grateful to The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong for this week at Oxford, brief yet life‑changing. I brought back not just notes, but a lasting curiosity and a sharper eye for my own biases. WANG, jessie yingxia [Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Management]
The classes encouraged us to think critically and share our ideas. I especially enjoyed the discussions on leadership, communication, and global issues. Learning together with students from different backgrounds helped me understand that people may have different perspectives, and effective communication requires respect, active listening, and open-mindedness.
Outside the classroom, living in Oxford gave me the opportunity to experience British culture and history. Walking around the colleges, visiting museums, and exploring the city allowed me to see how tradition and modern life exist together.
As a Master's student in Digital Media for Online Communication, I believe this programme has broadened my international perspective. These experiences will be valuable for my future studies and career, especially when working in an international environment.
CHEN Xin [MA in Digital Media for Online Communication]
Looking back on the Oxford Summer School, it changed not just my knowledge but my way of thinking. The three courses: Communication, AI, and Economics, each left a mark: Communication taught me to express ideas clearly across cultures; AI confronted me with automation and ethical boundaries; Economics offered tools to understand markets. Most memorable was the "What is Money?" lecture, revealing money as a fragile consensus sustained by trust and collective belief, which still influences how I read the news. Classroom discussions were vibrant; I dared to voice half‑formed ideas, and peers from various backgrounds helped refine them. The energy of David, Mariana, and Scott turned dry subjects into something I looked forward to. After class, strolling through Hertford College's ancient corridors felt like stepping into Harry Potter's world, and the silence of the Bodleian was awe‑inspiring. I am grateful for the scholarship; this trip strengthened my resolve to work at the intersection of technology and society, stay adaptable, and connect innovation with a broader global outlook.
So Chit Wai [Master of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence]
From the Hong Kong thematic workshops to the Oxford Summer School, and then strolling through London's streets, the encounter between these two regions and two civilisations has freed me from the confines of a single mindset. In the past, I used to rely on fixed frameworks for research, but the small-group seminars at Oxford forced me to set aside preconceptions and confront diverse viewpoints head‑on. I came to understand that academia is never about parroting established conclusions, but about seeking truth through critical thinking. While walking, I gained new insights: the pragmatic research logic of the East and the free speculative paradigm of the West are not opposed but can complement each other. This experience has not only broadened my horizons but reshaped my intellectual outlook. From now on, I will integrate the strengths of both academic traditions, conduct research with a more open and dialectical perspective, and maintain an open mind, cultivating myself amid the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures, and growing into a learner with both local grounding and a global vision.
SU Cijun [Master of Business Management]
