Which of the following do you think is more important, politics or economics? If you would like to know the answer, joining the MGPE programme could help you to find it out.
Here is a place where you could learn more apart from books and professors. You could meet a lot of people with diverse backgrounds sharing the same passion in political economy. You could easily find people to share and discuss views on international political and economic issues. You could find people who would fully devote themselves into studies. Here is a place where interactive learning is encouraged.
Here is a place where people work hard and play hard. You could find lots of after class activities, ranging from dinners, drinks to parties. You would have a chance to visit countries that you may not go by yourself in your entire life. Here is a place where you could find remarkable and enjoyable experiences!!!
If HSBC is “the world’s local bank”, then MGPE would be “the world’s local programme.”
Being a China news reporter for over a decade, I treasured my privilege to witness and report China’s latest development in political frontline and international arenas. Accumulated years of dynamic growth and social unrests, my exciting China experience created choking and unresolved resonance in my mind with questions piling up, and these knots needed to be untied one by one.
Thanks for the guidance of world-class professors and lecturers in MGPE programme, I, born in Hong Kong, work in Mainland, now being equipped to think in global manner. The programme’s strong global academic groundwork as well as sophisticated and updated China’s elements strummed the vital key to resolve the knowledge tension notes in my inner score.
From the moment I took up this programme until the moment I put it down, I was convulsed with inspirations.
Welcome to the world’s local programme!
As a part-time student who has graduated for years, re-adaptation to campus life was once my big concern. My two years of study with MGPE turned out to be a fulfilling experience far beyond my expectation.
The diversified modes of study including the unforgettable meeting with leaders of the National League for Democracy who co-founded the party with Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar enabled me to link theoretical learning to real life context and engage in contacts with people and organisations unlikely had I not taken this master programme.
The course instructors, all of whom are renowned experts in academia and different professions from all around the world, are friendly and always ready to render support to students. Through the inter-disciplinary course design and frequent interactions with teachers and classmates from diverse backgrounds, I gained a lot of new insights and enhanced my analytical skills to better equip myself in both work and study.
Apart from curriculum, I built precious friendship with classmates of different nationalities from Scandinavia to Latin America and from Great Lakes to Malacca Strait that quite matched the global nature of this programme.
Now that the two-year journey formally came to an end, I can say the time and effort that I have spent: relax less, play less, sleep less, all the white hair and panda eyes… read more, think more, write more, all the working hard… are all worthy. The MGPE programme reignited my passion to study and determination to pursuing research degree. Treasuring all I gained here in terms of knowledge, fellowship, personal growth and most of all, a sense of new life.
What a thankful and unforgettable journey!
I left university almost 30 years ago before I joined the MGPE programme, but age is not an issue if you are still hungry for knowledge. The course is the key to unlock the mysteries of global affairs, providing me with the necessary tools to understand the world's chaos, and affording me the ability to formulate my own interpretations. Yet, the MGPE programme is more than just knowledge fulfillment; it allows me to re-live the happy moments of university life. There is a saying that you will not meet any genuine friends once you started working. For a businessman like myself, I can say there is certain truth in the statement. I am very grateful that the MGPE experience has provided me with a second chance to meet new friends, friends as far as from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Holland and Sweden; friends as near as from Laos and Singapore; and friends as close as from China and Hong Kong. I never expected I could gain so much from the programme.
Looking back, I am just glad that I had taken the step that has broaden my horizon both academically and socially, a step that has inspired me to pursue further research study in the field of International Relations. It is an understatement to say the MGPE experience has left many happy memories, it is more important than that, it has become part of my life.
To me, studying MGPE is an interesting and enjoyable learning experience. Courses throughout the programme have enabled me, as an actuary with no social science background, to think and analyze problems from an alternative angle. This is supported by the fact that teachers in this programme come from diversified backgrounds. Some are academic scholars who are knowledgeable and have insightful thoughts on particular topics like income inequality, terrorism and “one country, two systems”. Some are current or former practitioners in government or business sectors that can share with students their practical experience. To be honest, it is pretty challenging for me to finish loads of reading materials and write academic papers. However, it really gives me a sense of satisfaction after completing the whole learning process.
In particular, the field trip to North Korea was a very special experience to me. Before the trip, I had only known a little about this mysterious country. Through the pre-trip lectures and reading materials, I have acquired at least a basic understanding of its political ideology, economic situation and social issues. During the trip, there were also interesting observations through talking with local tour guides and students. It was a valuable opportunity for me to combine both desk research and field study so as to deliver a presentation and write a paper. Indeed, I believe the field trip is an important component of MGPE.
From the thirst of acquiring knowledge to the joy of returning to campus, I guess different individuals will have their unique pursuits in a Master's degree. To me, the reasons behind should be centred around the word ‘New’ - new perspectives (vs. my background in business), new acquaintances (classmates from different backgrounds and cultures) and new experience (e.g. study trip to North Korea...).
I believe the ‘in-class experience’ should have sufficient coverage already (and I would agree to the vast majority of it), so let me highlight some less ‘formal’ moments / experience which I really enjoyed:
1) Study Trip - Yes, North Korea (but that’s only half the story). What I enjoyed is its structure as a course where we had a few classes ahead of the field trip to understand the basics of North Korea (e.g. politics, economics...) before we see it for ourselves. We also had the chance to come up with a topic of interest (mine is Food Security) to dive deeper into and this collection of learning experience is honestly remarkable. So, while the destinations change year to year, its merits are beyond just visiting another country where few have travelled.
2) Off-class Events - if you have done your homework, you are right again... Tin Tin Bar (alcohol is not quite the focus, since there are plenty of non-alcoholic ones too...). Working full-time, I cherish my weekends a lot but I am always able to find the drive to come to class on Saturdays, on part for the class and on part for the occasional informal gatherings among current students and alumni. These settings extend the (learning) experience and one’s connections while keeping it light and chill. On top of this, other events include graduation dinners, casual gatherings hosted by both alumni and current students.
I will keep it concise here, but will conclude that MGPE has been a good choice for me. It has been an eye-opening experience and the programme has set the many avenues which allow the ‘New’ elements to prosper. I wish that you will find what you set out to look for in the programme too.
2020 has been a special year to say the least – to us Hongkongers, and to everyone in the world. As a former journalist, what I appreciate the MGPE programme the most is the fresh set of perspectives that it has given me to look at world affairs. In a world swamped with information, a solid theoretical foundation has never been more crucial in examining the fast-evolving geopolitical landscape. One of my favourite courses was about Hong Kong’s One Country, Two Systems. Through studying its origin, nature, and limitations, I have since understood the international significance and value of the place in which I was born and raised.
Here I must thank our knowledgeable professors and lecturers. They are always supportive, and their views insightful. Although my final semester had to go virtual because of the pandemic, the staff had been responsive and helpful in sorting out technical issues. I am also grateful for meeting some of the most amiable classmates from all around the world. Overall, the programme has been an eye-opening and captivating experience. I recommend it to anyone who wants to enrich their academic, professional or personal life.
The MGPE programme was a treasurable and rewarding learning experience. This programme offered me comprehensive knowledge and multidisciplinary perspectives to understand global economy and international relations in contemporary world order.
Although I was not an undergraduate from discipline of social science, the MGPE programme provided an advance introduction to theories and concepts in global political economy, and applications to important international issues. I have learned to assess the relations between countries, positioning of different parties and their influences on the global monetary system and politics. Global news and international happenings were discussed and debated in classes. In other words, the content was not only theoretical but also practical and up-to-date. I have learned to keep open-minded and come up with my own assessment when dealing with the changing political economic circumstances in the world.
Apart from learning the “hard” knowledge in lectures, this programme also expanded my connections and engagement with people in the field. Renowned academic scholars, or practitioners from both public and private sectors are often invited as guest lecturers, so we could learn their latest academic findings and/or practical work experience. We are encouraged to actively participate in classes and seek advice from them. I have also missed the Tin Tin bar gatherings, where you could build up real friendships with classmates and professors.
Overall it was a great experience to study MGPE. It becomes one of the main reasons I would revisit the campus more often in the future.
