Project Reference No.: UGC/IDS16/18
Project Title: Establishment of a Public and Social Policy Research Centre (OUHK)

Abstract
The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) would like to use the opportunity of the Institutional Development Scheme (IDS) to develop the research capacity of the OUHK in one of the emerging strategic areas — Public and Social Policy. It proposes the establishment of a Public and Social Policy Research Centre that will provide a platform through which global and local experts can gather and exchange ideas to explore important public and social issues and foster cross-disciplinary knowledge exchangefoster collaboration. As summarised below, strategies are proposed to prepare OUHK academics to gain success in theme-based, collaborative and individual research in the area. The Public and Social Policy Research Centre aims to enhance the research capability of OUHK academics, particularly in the disciplines of economic policy, public policy and social policy. It will capitalise on the strengths of OUHK academics' teaching of relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The policy research undertaken by the Research Centre will cover two major policy themes: (i) Housing, and (ii) Ageing. The Research Centre will generate and disseminate innovative thinking through conducting socioeconomic-relevant policy research on Hong Kong issues from social science perspectives.

The proposed programme includes the organisation of (1) research seminars to address key issues in two selected policy areas; (2) an international conference to share research findings and views of public and social policy and their relevance to the Hong Kong society; and (3) mentorship from Distinguished Professors to boost the research capability of academic staff. The research seminars and conference will support OUHK academics in establishing international scholarly networks, and being inspired by renowned scholars and experts in their respective fields, so that they can generate new research ideas, sharpen their research skills, and develop their reputation in the global intellectual network. These research activities will facilitate timely research on the increasingly important role of a well-formulated and effectively implemented public policy in Hong Kong , and will inform teaching in the related areas. Of equal importance, these research activities will offer a platform for establishing international connections with major centres of public and social policy research around the world. The research outputs generated will offer policy analyses and advice to public policy decision-makers by acting as a policy critic, and inform the Hong Kong general public by educating them about the implications of alternative policy options — which in turn will enhance the quality and effectiveness of public policy formulation and implementation. All these are vital for Hong Kong's long-term stability and development.

Overall, the programme will prepare and guide relevant academics to conduct quality research in public and social policy, help them to disseminate their research outputs, identify research opportunities in the relevant areas, and establish research networks with international counterparts. By capitalising on our strengths, the programme will build up the research capacity of the University to unleash its potential for further development. It will also advance the educational delivery of the University in the long run.

 

Project Reference No.: UGC/IDS24/18
Project Title: Establishment of Centre for Ageing and Healthcare Management Research (CAHMR) (PolyU SPEED)

Abstract
PolyU SPEED aspires to make a difference to our community. One grand challenge facing Hong Kong today is the wellbeing of an ageing population and its impacts on the sustainability of the health and long-term care system. The Chief Executive, in the 2017 Policy Address, raised her concerns on the care for the elderly and pledged to devise a variety of support measures for elderly care services. It is clear that more concerted efforts among researchers, practitioners and policy makers are needed to tackle this grand challenge.

To respond to this challenge, SPEED proposes to establish the Centre for Ageing and Healthcare Management Research (CAHMR), leveraging the expertise and interest among faculty members, connecting them from a diverse array of disciplines and cultivating their scholarship in the realms of health care, health services management, finance, information technology, data science, public policy, marketing and hospitality management. The goal is to develop CAHMR into a centre of excellence with four fundamental objectives:

(1) generating novel and useful knowledge;
(2) developing research capabilities of faculty members;
(3) sharing insights with stakeholders; and
(4) informing curriculum development across related academic programmes.

Specific deliverables from this project include an efficient research infrastructure, regular network building conferences, impactful publications, relevant curriculum, and stakeholder dialogues.

To achieve these objectives and outcomes, this proposal seeks financial support to build the infrastructure for CAHMR, form multidisciplinary teams and partnerships within and outside SPEED, as well as set up a knowledge sharing platform. SPEED is granted a fund from Research Grants Council of University Grants Committee for the abovementioned programme activities during the three-year start-up phase. Subsequently, SPEED will sustain CAHMR through investing internal resources and obtaining external contributions. SPEED is confident that CAHMR will be able to sustain momentum, both financially and culturally, over time.