CityUHK postgraduate students return from Future Global Leaders Programme with enriching experiences; forging academic partnerships and broadening global perspectives
As part of the Future Global Leaders Programme (FGLP), nine postgraduate students from various faculties at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) travelled to the United Kingdom in mid-September to complete a two-week residency at Cambridge University’s Lucy Cavendish College. This transformative academic journey inspired forward-looking research collaboration and broadened their global perspectives.
Tranquil and serene, Lucy Cavendish College was the perfect academic and living space for the FGLP participants. During their two-week stay, they often basked in the bright English sunshine while engaging in in-depth exchanges on various topics with peers from around the world on lush green lawns. Beyond the classroom, they explored historic academic buildings and experienced the quintessential Cambridge punt on the River Cam, creating many precious memories filled with laughter.
Jessie Law Hei-tung, a second-year Master of Social Work student, demonstrated true conviction by postponing her scheduled internship to participate in the FGLP. Her sacrifice was “completely worthwhile”, she said, describing the trip as a “remarkable journey of inspiration and self-discovery”. During the residency, she actively participated in numerous talks on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, covering topics such as ecosystems, economies, societies and leadership. This experience provided her with a profound understanding of the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and adaptive thinking.
Jessie firmly believes this experience will enrich her academic research at CityUHK, empowering her to embrace innovative solutions with a more open mind when facing complex challenges. Looking ahead, Jessie hopes to initiate or lead projects that foster multinational collaboration, such as community engagement programmes in Hong Kong that bring together diverse cultural perspectives.
Kaize Zhu, a PhD student in the Department of Public and International Affairs, summarised the trip as “incredibly rewarding and inspiring”. He was particularly impressed by a workshop on leadership typologies and expressed his excitement about how he has already applied what he learned in his research on global political leadership classifications. The programme provided Kaize with a more nuanced and holistic understanding of leadership capabilities and allowed him to build deep friendships with peers from around the world. Through the FGLP, his academic network expanded significantly, and he has already begun co-authoring research papers with partners he met during the exchange.
PhD student Alex Cheng Chit-yuen, from the Department of Computer Science, also greatly benefitted from his participation in the FGLP. He said the programme successfully brought together outstanding participants from around the world, allowing him to build a close-knit academic and interpersonal network. Through intensive training and exchange, he significantly improved in skills in critical thinking, systems thinking and design thinking. As a member of the JC STEM Lab of Smart City, he believes these new mindsets will effectively strengthen his analytical and decision-making abilities, propelling his academic development to the next level.
Kaize encourages future students interested in participating in the FGLP to fully immerse themselves in the experience and cherish every opportunity to engage in in-depth exchanges with peers from diverse international backgrounds. Jessie, drawing on her own experience, encourages everyone to be bold in their endeavours, to prepare thoroughly, and to trust in themselves while enjoying the entire process. Alex suggests that participants research the speakers’ areas of expertise beforehand and prepare in-depth questions to gain more specialised knowledge and maximise their learning experience.
As the first international partner of the Lucy Cavendish College’s FGLP, CityUHK has continued to deepen its strategic collaboration with Cambridge University. CityUHK also launched a university scholarship programme with Lucy Cavendish College and Newnham College. The first batch of 12 CityUHK students is already pursuing their master’s degrees at Cambridge University, gaining a unique academic experience.
