Forging Partnerships for Impact: CLASS Signs MoUs Across Sectors and Borders
Through expanding its MoU portfolio, the College strengthens its academic ecosystem and contributes to the development of a more just and resilient society
Dr Lam and Professor Ho display the newly-signed MoUs, as witnessed by Mr Leung (left) and Mr Ngai (right).
Hong Kong Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Miss Alice Mak Mei-kuen (5th from left) attends the ceremony, introducing government policies on youth development and district governance in her guest lecture.
Secretary for Security Mr Tang Ping-keung (6th from left) joins the event as a guest speaker, delivering a lecture on crisis leadership.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Service Quality Wing) Ms Sally Tsui Sheung-yee and Professor Ho sign an MoU to advance joint research, student engagement and knowledge exchange.
Mr Ricky Yau Shu-chun and Professor Ho at the MoU signing ceremony at the ICAC headquarters.
CLASS formalises strategic partnerships with institutions and organisations across Asia through the signing of multiple MoUs, strengthening collaboration in public administration, governance and innovation.
CityUHK’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) has in recent years built a diverse network of strategic partners through a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) that cover youth development, smart policing, global public administration and integrity education. These partnerships demonstrate the College’s commitment to addressing societal challenges through academic expertise while broadening high-quality learning opportunities for students.
Deepening Local Engagement
CLASS’s collaboration with the Hong Kong United Youth Association (HKUYA) illustrates how the College is turning its strengths in public affairs and governance into practical opportunities for youth development in Hong Kong. CLASS co-organised the “Youth Leader Training Series—‘Politics and Public Administration’ Class Opening and MoU Signing Ceremony” with HKUYA on 22 February 2025, marking the first MoU between the two institutions and a significant step in nurturing future leaders.
The ceremony brought together senior government officials and University leaders, including Miss Alice MAK Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Mr TANG Ping-keung, Secretary for Security, and Professor Alfred Tat-Kei HO, Dean of CLASS, who delivered lectures on youth development, crisis leadership and public policy.
During the ceremony, HKUYA President Dr LAM Ho-yi reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to holistic youth development, while Professor Dannii YEUNG Yuen-lan, Associate Provost (Student Life), highlighted the shared vision of promoting international outlooks and modern leadership skills among local youth.
CityUHK Council Chairman Mr Michael NGAI and Professor Yeung also addressed participants, underscoring the University’s committed and long-standing support for experiential learning and community engagement.
Under the MoU, CLASS and HKUYA explore joint leadership projects and provide structured training for young people to better understand social issues, public administration and Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” in regional development. Topics such as youth policy and development, district governance and crisis management are usually included.
Innovating for Smart Policing
CLASS has further strengthened its collaboration with public service institutions through an MoU with the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). Signed on 19 May 2025 by Professor Ho and Ms Sally TSUI Sheung-yee, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Service Quality Wing), the agreement establishes a framework for joint research, student engagement and knowledge exchange to enhance operational efficiency.
The first thematic study under the MoU focused on the Report Room (RR) Efficiency Review, which sought to improve information technology systems, to streamline procedures and to apply behavioural insights to enhance public service quality. By combining operational data with academic analysis, the collaboration aimed to optimise resource allocation and workflow in report rooms across the city.
The HKPF’s Research and Inspections Branch, supported by the Psychological Service Group, worked closely with CLASS researchers to develop evidence-based recommendations.
Advancing Integrity and Anti-corruption Education
CLASS has also entered into a strategic partnership with the Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption (HKIAAC) of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), adding a new dimension to its MoU portfolio in the field of governance and ethics. The MoU signing ceremony, which was held at ICAC headquarters on 18 March 2026, was officiated by Professor Ho and Mr Ricky YAU Shu-chun, Deputy Commissioner cum Head of Operations at the ICAC.
Building on CLASS’s existing foundation in integrity education, the partnership offers students hands-on exposure to ethical governance through research collaborations and experiential learning activities.
Starting from April 2026, CLASS offers a specialised training module on property management ethics for students in the MA in Housing and Urban Management programme, reinforcing their understanding of professional responsibilities and regulatory standards.
The College is also collaborating with postgraduate researchers and the Laboratory for Public Management and Policy on studies evaluating ICAC’s education initiatives and formulating evidence-based recommendations for good governance, while other departments, including Media and Communication, plan to launch related projects.
The MoU was a major milestone in advancing interdisciplinary research and education on integrity and anti-corruption. Through this collaboration, CLASS seeks to generate policy-relevant research and to cultivate graduates who are committed to building a fair, transparent and accountable society both within Hong Kong and beyond.
Expanding Global Public Administration Networks
On the international front, CLASS signed multiple MoUs with institutions and organisations across Asia in November 2025. These partnerships include collaborations with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; the Steering Committee of the Astana Civil Service Hub; the Indonesian Association for Public Administration; SmartID Indonesia; and the College of Local Administration at Khon Kaen University in Thailand, further strengthening the College's regional network for teaching, research and internship exchange.
The initiatives create pathways for CLASS students and staff to participate in internships, comparative policy studies and regional dialogues on urban governance and innovation.
In doing so, they reinforce CityUHK’s role as a platform where global and regional perspectives converge—particularly in areas such as public management, local governance and sustainable urban development.
A Partnership-driven Future
For students, these agreements translate into enriched curricula, more diverse experiential learning and access to professional and academic networks extending beyond Hong Kong. For staff and researchers, they open up new possibilities for interdisciplinary collaboration, policy engagement and impact-driven scholarship in areas such as urban governance, digital fraud, integrity and ethical leadership. As CLASS continues to expand and deepen its MoU portfolio, the College is strengthening its academic ecosystem while contributing to the development of a more just, well-governed and resilient society.