HKMU Social Sciences

02/09/2026

Honouring tradition, memory and community at the Hungry Ghost Festival 2026

Students and colleagues from HKMU Social Sciences recently took part in a meaningful learning experience centered on the traditions of the Hungry Ghost Festival (盂蘭節) at Yuen Long Tin Hau Temple.

Through guided participation and observation, our students learned about the “Breaking the Hell” ritual, the symbolic paper offerings and ship-making traditions, and the burning of the “Ghost King” at the end of the event. The occasion offered an opportunity to explore how ritual, community memory and care for the departed remain intertwined in Hong Kong’s living cultural heritage.

A memorial ship was prepared in remembrance of those affected by the Wang F*k Court fire. Our students and colleagues were honoured to lend a hand in its preparation, reflecting on how collective ritual can express compassion, remembrance and solidarity in time of loss.

The event also included a traditional vegetarian “poon choi” bringing everyone together through food, conversation and shared experience.

At HKMU Social Sciences, learning extends beyond the classroom. By engaging with local traditions and communities, students gain a deeper understanding of culture, social life, remembrance and the ways people make meaning together.

20/07/2026

Overseas learning at our Department of Social Sciences, 香港都會大學 Hong Kong Metropolitan University , is about more than getting on a plane – it’s about seeing the world differently. On June 29-July 6, Social Science and Arts students joined a one week study tour to London, led by Dr Emilie Tran and Dr Dionysis Stivas .
Over six packed days, students brought classroom learning into real life. Highlights included:

🕍Exploring The National Gallery, the British Museum and Tate Modern, and seeing European art and global histories up close.
🏫Visiting the University of Reading and the University of Oxford , hearing about study pathways and how research shapes real world change – from law programmes to COVID 19 vaccine work.
🏰Stepping into places like Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, Shakespeare’s Globe and neighbourhoods such as Covent Garden, Soho, Camden Market and Chinatown.

Throughout the tour, students reflected on London’s diversity, openness and everyday coexistence across cultures, as well as contrasts between wealth and poverty. Many shared how simple moments – walking historic streets, relaxing in parks, chatting with locals – challenged their assumptions and showed different ways of living and using public space.

Even with a full schedule, the experience was inspiring and eye opening, connecting history, politics, culture and community with their Social Sciences and Arts studies.
We’re grateful to our colleagues and partners in the UK for their warm welcome, and proud of our students for their energy and thoughtful reflections throughout.

26/06/2026

＜園藝活動與認知障礙症患者的身心健康＞

面對人口高齡化的挑戰，未來認知障礙症患者的人數可能會持續上升。科學家除了大力推動及早識別和介入外，他們亦積極探索各種非藥物治療，以作為提升認知障礙症患者身心健康及生活品質的重要一環。

於2023年，意大利學者Erika Borella教授帶領團隊發表了一份探討園藝活動與認知障礙症患者身心健康之關係的研究報告。實驗結果顯示，與對照組相比，有參與園藝活動的實驗組參加者出現較少的行為及心理症狀，而情緒亦有所改善。照顧者亦同樣察覺這些正面變化。若只分析輕微至中度的認知障礙症參加者的數據，有參與園藝活動的參加者於認知功能、生活質素方面，亦較對照組參加者有更顯著的提升。這些正面效果，可能是與參加者於園藝活動中得以親近大自然，並從中找到意義有關。例如，參加者能觀察盆栽的生長變化，享受植物收成的成果。這些體驗都有助提升參加者的自我效能(Self-efficacy)，及確立生活意義。同時，園藝活動亦能透過動手操作，有助刺激參加者的認知功能。

因此，園藝活動不只是有趣的日常閒暇活動，它對認知障礙症患者的身心健康可能隨時蘊藏著意想不到的益處。
原文出處：
Borella, E., Melendugno, A., Meneghetti, C., Murroni, V., Carbone, E., Goldin, G., Cavalli R., Basso A., & Pazzaglia, F. (2023). Effects of an outdoor horticultural activities program on cognitive and behavioral functioning, mood, and perceived quality of life in people with dementia: a pilot study. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1182136.

圖片出處：
designed by Freepik - Magnific.com
https://www.magnific.com/free-photo/high-angle-woman-holding-plant_4969582.htm =search&page=2&position=1&uuid=c1ced3ce-d288-41c9-b1b1-277a07b6bb89&query=therapeutic+gardenoutdoor

05/06/2026

青年人的就業問題近日再次成為城中熱話。根據官方最新公佈的數據，本港有三萬六千多年齡介乎16－24歲的青年人屬於「尼特族」（NEET, Not in Education, Employment or Training，本地媒體慣常稱為「雙失青年」），佔同齡層人口6.3%；與此同時，青年失業率亦達11.2%，較25歲或以上的勞動人口年齡層高出3.4倍。政府官員雖然強調政府已有一系列政策協助青年人就業，不過「尼特族」百分比及青年失業率長年高企，令政客及輿論關注現行的政策能否有效協助面對就業困難的青年人。

高企的青年失業率並非一個新現象。自上世紀八十年代開始，西方已發展國家的青年失業率已超越其他年齡層。2008年的金融海嘯沖擊全球多國，很多國家都出現經濟危機，對青年求職者來說，更是雪上加霜。針對青年人的就業困境，歐盟於2013年提出了「青年保證」(Youth Guarantee)政策框架，支援歐盟成員國之中青年人的職志發展。「青年保證」是一項綜合性政策，為青年求職者提供一套整全的支援服務。除了針對提升青年人就業能力的措施（例如：個人職業生涯規劃、專業訓練、學徒計劃及求職支援）外，政策亦包括營辦實習計劃及資助企業僱用青年勞工，以增加勞工需求，讓青年求職者順利（重新）進入勞動市場，從而累積有用的工作技能和經驗，發展自己的職涯。

國際勞工組織的研究指出，歐盟政策的成功有賴多項政策要點，其中一項特別值得深入思考的是政策支援的即時性：「青年保證」政策保證青年人在離開學校或工作崗位後，四個月內必須得到合適的培訓或重投職場的支援。這個及早介入 (early intervention) 政策原則，目標是儘量減低長期失學／失業帶來的長遠影響，防止青年人成為長期「尼特族」。

有效的社會政策很多時都需要借鑒其他地方的成功案例，未知歐盟的「青年保證」政策框架，能否為我們的政策發展帶來一些啟迪？

參考資料：
Escudero, Verónica. & López Mourelo, Elva., 2015. "The Youth Guarantee programme in Europe features, implementation and challenges," ILO Working Papers 994888913402676, International Labour Organization.

(圖片來源：Gemini、The European Newsroom)

13/05/2026

【活動招募】記憶碎片織成歷史：誠邀參與「耆織導賞團」，走進愛民邨的時光隧道 🏘️✨

你是否想過，患有輕度認知障礙 (MCI) 的長者，他們腦海中看似零散的記憶碎片，其實是拼湊社區歷史最珍貴的寶庫？
我們誠邀你參加由香港都會大學社會科學系與循道衛理楊震社會服務處合辦的「耆織導賞團」。這不單是一個導賞活動，更是一場專業實踐與生命影響生命的體驗。

🌟 活動特色：看見長者的潛能與韌性
這是一個由都大社科院學生與 MCI 長者共同策劃、設計路程的結晶。

1. 專業連結：親身觀察社會科學如何應用於長者服務，看見 MCI 長者在適當支援下，如何展現出令人驚訝的能力。
2. 創意傳承：見證學兄學姊如何運用創意，將長者的口述回憶轉化為「睇得到、回味到」的互動體驗。
3. 深耕社區：由長者領隊親自帶路，帶你穿梭愛民邨的變遷故事，感受課本以外的街坊情懷。
________________________________________
📍 活動詳情
1. 日期（可選其一）：
1. 2026年5月16日 (星期六)
2. 2026年5月23日 (星期六)
2. 時間： 早上 10:00 – 11:30
3. 集合地點： 何文田愛民邨嘉民樓 401-404 室 (愛民長者鄰舍中心)
4. 名額： 每節僅 12 人
📝 活動流程
1. 集合與啟航 (15分鐘)： 計劃背景介紹及愛民邨簡介。
2. 社區漫遊 (60分鐘)： 由「耆織領隊」及社會科學系學生帶領，走訪邨內景點進行深度導賞。
3. 合照留念 (5分鐘)： 於導賞終點站紀錄溫馨時刻。
4. 交流回饋 (10分鐘)： 享用精美茶點，分享觀察與感受。
________________________________________
🔗 立即報名（截止日期：2026年5月15日）
機會難得，請點擊連結填妥資料：
👉 5月16日場次報名連結
👉 5月23日場次報名連結
查詢聯絡：
📞 陳先生：2715 8677
📧 陳康言博士：2768 5751, [email protected]
📧 馮卓奇先生：2768 6707, [email protected]

04/05/2026

Would the new two-tier civil service accountability system enhance the accountability of the civil service to the Hong Kong people?

If someone asks you “do you think the Hong Kong civil service is accountable for its performance?” You may probably say “No” to this question.

You may cite policy fiascos like the “bottled water procurement scandal” and the “mandatory seat belt wearing saga” as examples of poor performance of civil servants, which ended up without any civil servants accountable for the failures in both of these cases. In the former case, a relatively unknown mainland water bottle company won a government’s 36-month, 52.9 million contract to supply bottled water to government offices on Hong Kong Island and outlying islands. It turns out that the company has used false documents to win the contract. Subsequently, the government has terminated the contract. A fallout from the scandal is the public’s questioning about loopholes in the government’s tendering and due diligence procedures. In the latter case, the government was forced to terminate the law requiring bus riders to wear seat belts 5-day after its promulgation. The chaos and confusion surrounding this saga made one wonder if the Hong Kong civil service is still capable of studying a policy problem thoroughly, and more importantly, coming up with feasible solution to the public problem.

Obviously, the government also realized the need to strengthen the accountability of the civil service. Recently, the Civil Service Bureau announced a two-tier civil service accountability system. Check the following information and judge on yourself if this new system would make the civil service more accountable to the people:

Background information:
https://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/2025/en/p32.html
https://www.csb.gov.hk/english/info/files/0428_PanelPaper_HoDAccountability_EN.pdf

An editorial from Ming Pao, 16 April 2026
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87/article/20260416/s00017/1776270214841/editorial-will-heads-of-department-accountability-system-work

28/04/2026

The HKMU research team’s recent findings reveal a powerful opportunity for Hong Kong: unlocking retiree expertise to tackle our ageing population and skilled labour shortages.

Key findings:
• 23.4% of surveyed retirees are already in paid work, with 21.4% mobilizable for professional gig roles such as consultancy, mentoring, training and advisory work.
• 33% of employers are already hiring retirees — yet weak matching, unclear protections and job redesign barriers are holding back wider adoption.
• Government support currently reaches only 10.4% of firms, despite strong demand.

Policy recommendations:
(1) launch a government-backed matching platform,
(2) provide targeted subsidies for training & insurance,
(3) introduce legal guidance & model contracts, and
(4) support employers with job redesign tools.

Let’s turn retiree talent into Hong Kong’s strength!

19/04/2026

[不止死人要超渡，生人也要破地獄]

近年香港電影的話題之作《破·地獄》以香港本地殯葬業為背景，深刻探討了生與死的命題。長久以來，華人社會對「死」都懷有深深的忌諱與恐懼，往往避而不談。對年輕的同學而言，死亡更像是一件遙不可及的事。然而，人命殤逝其實是社會日常運轉中再自然不過的一部分。距離都會大學主校園不到二十分鐘步行路程的紅磡地區，便是香港最主要的殯葬業集中地，形成了一個獨特而完整的殯葬生態圈。

早前，應用社會科學系轄下的文化與遺產研究專修課程，舉辦了兩場別開生面的文化活動：
*「殯葬生態圈—紅磡市區導覽實地考察」及
*「九龍殯儀館導賞團」。

同學們在從事殯儀服務的專業人士帶領下，走進了殯葬生態圈的每一個角落，深入了解殯儀公司、長生店、紙紮鋪、喃嘸道堂，甚至一窺殯儀館內部的不同空間。同學更親身步入靈堂，見證人在生命終結之後，於人世間最後的告別儀式。這趟旅程不僅是對香港死亡文化的探索，更是一場關於生命、哀悼與尊重的教育。電影《破·地獄》中有句台詞說道「不止死人要超渡，生人也要破地獄」，這是對戲中各個人物故事的點題一句。而對同學及社會大眾來說，直面死亡，也許亦是破地獄的一環。

#社會科學 #文化與遺產研究 #殯葬生態圈

08/04/2026

How do Cantonese funeral rituals challenge modern urban planning?

In Singapore, Naam Mou Daoist masters routinely transform “official” HDB void decks — designed as profane public spaces — into sacred grounds for traditional funeral rites. The case reveals the constant tension between state governance and cultural traditions.

What lessons can Hong Kong draw from Singapore’s experience in balancing public policy, nd the preservation of Chinese cultural practices?

Don’t miss this insightful seminar by Dr Donald Chan.

Date & Time: 20 April 2026 (Monday) | 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Venue: HKMU C0612
Language: English

Register now (deadline: 19 Apr) via the following link:

https://student.intranet.hkmu.edu.hk/ers/prod/ERS_detail.jsp?eid=010457&lang=eng&mode=all

20/03/2026

Launch your career with our Graduate Trainee Programme!
(Application Deadline: 31 March 2026)

【號外！📢第三屆「都大畢業生見習計劃」現正接受報名！🔥】
各位都大畢業生注意啦！🎓📢延續過去兩屆的熱烈反應，「都大畢業生見習計劃」將再度回歸。🌟

無論你是今年即將畢業的都大本科學生，還是去年未能參與其中而於過去兩年內畢業的都大本科畢業生，我們都歡迎你報名參加，捉緊這個職業生涯的黃金機會！💼

「都大畢業生見習計劃」將為你提供專業的職場導向，當中包括：
✅具吸引力的薪酬待遇
✅在職培訓及職場導師
✅有機會接觸大學的不同項目

🚀為夢想加油，為未來鋪路，立即報名，打造你的事業平台：
🔗https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/hro/tc/homepage/graduate-trainee-programme/

📅截止報名日期：2026年3月31日

【Exciting News!📢 The 3rd Graduate Trainee Programme is Now Open for Applications!🔥】
Attention all HKMU graduates!🎓📢 Following the success of the past two years, we are excited to announce that the 3rd Graduate Trainee Programme is now officially open for applications!🌟

Whether you are a final-year undergraduate student or a bachelor’s degree graduate from the past two years who missed the programme last year, you are welcome to apply for our Graduate Trainee Programme and seize this golden opportunity to unlock your potential.💼

The HKMU Graduate Trainee Programme offers a professional career journey, including:
✅A competitive remuneration package
✅On-the-job training and mentorship
✅Exclusive executive exposure

🚀Fuel your dreams and shape your future! Apply now and take the first step towards your professional success!
🔗https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/hro/homepage/graduate-trainee-programme/
📅Application Deadline: 31 March 2026

#應屆畢業生 #職場新鮮人 #香港都會大學 #都大 #都會與我無限可能