Master of Social Sciences in Elderly Care Service Management and Social Governance [MSocSc(ECSMSG)] [*Subject to University’s Approval]

Elderly Care and Social Policy

This course examines elderly care and social policy in the context of rapid population ageing. It covers demographic change, long-term care, community care, family caregiving, welfare arrangements, service financing, policy design, and the implications of ageing for social governance and public service delivery. Students will analyse how policy frameworks shape the accessibility, quality and sustainability of elderly care services, with reference to Hong Kong, China, Chinese Mainland and the Greater Bay Area where appropriate.

GBA Collaborative Social Governance in an Ageing Society

This course examines how governments, public agencies, NGOs, healthcare providers, educational institutions, service providers and community organisations collaborate to address social issues and improve public service delivery in the Greater Bay Area, with particular attention to ageing-related and cross-border social services. It introduces key concepts in collaborative governance, coordination, trust-building, institutional arrangements and stakeholder engagement.

Research Methods for Elderly Care Service Management and Social Governance

This course provides students with essential research methods for studying social governance, social policy, public administration and service innovation. It introduces qualitative and quantitative approaches, research design, data collection, policy analysis, programme evaluation and evidence-based decision-making. Students will learn how to appraise research evidence and develop researchable questions in elderly care and social governance contexts.

Elderly Care and Health Care: International Comparisons and Practices

This course introduces international and regional models of elderly care and health care. It compares policy frameworks, service delivery systems, financing arrangements, professional practices, community-based care, integrated care and health-care coordination across selected jurisdictions, with reference to Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, China and the Greater Bay Area where appropriate. Students will examine how institutional contexts shape the strengths and limitations of different care systems.

Smart and AI-enabled Social Service Management and Innovation

This course explores how smart technologies, artificial intelligence, data platforms and digital tools support social service management and innovation. It covers AI-enabled service design, smart ageing and healthcare applications, data governance, AI ethics, service quality improvement and technology-enabled public and social service delivery. Students will consider both the opportunities and risks of AI-enabled service innovation in ageing and community contexts.

The Silver Economy: Markets, Models, and Innovation

This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the silver economy in the context of global population ageing. It introduces key concepts, market structures, and business models related to ageing-related industries, including healthcare, technology, housing, finance, leisure, and community services. Students will examine how demographic changes shape consumer behaviour, service demand, and innovation opportunities within ageing societies. The course emphasises the integration of economic, social, and ethical perspectives in the development of silver economy initiatives. Through case studies and applied analysis, students will explore innovative market-oriented solutions that address the needs, preferences, and well-being of older adults. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate the opportunities and challenges of the silver economy and assess its role in promoting sustainable and inclusive development.

Introduction to Political Philosophy and Public Values

This course provides an introduction to major questions and traditions in political philosophy that underpin public administration and governance. It examines foundational concepts such as legitimacy, authority, justice, rights and duties, liberty and equality, democracy and representation, and the ethical dimensions of public policy. Through classic and contemporary readings as well as case-based discussions drawn from Hong Kong, China, Chinese Mainland and global contexts, students will learn to identify value conflicts in policy debates, construct and evaluate normative arguments, and connect philosophical reasoning with practical policy design and public leadership.

Public Administration, Management and Leadership Skills

This core course aims to help students develop a solid foundation in the knowledge of public administration and learn key skills useful for managing public organisations. Specifically, this course introduces (a) the public values of public administration, such as efficiency, engagement, ethics, and accountability, and the major theories and key issues of contemporary public administration; (b) the importance of leaders and leadership in public administration, especially under the rapidly changing local, national, and global contexts; and (c) the key challenges confronting the public sector in the contemporary world. Contending perspectives will be introduced to help students develop the sensitivity and competencies necessary to address both practical and managerial challenges of the public sector in the real world.

Healthy Ageing: Physical and Cognitive Health and Well-being Across the Lifespan

This course aims to provide students with a solid foundation in understanding physical and cognitive health within the framework of healthy ageing. It examines age-related changes across the lifespan, focusing on factors that support healthy ageing, functional ability, and cognitive resilience. Students will explore biological, behavioural, and environmental influences on physical and cognitive well-being in later life.

The course adopts a preventive and strengths-based approach, emphasising strategies that promote independence, active participation, and quality of life among older adults. Students will also examine evidence-based interventions, health promotion programmes, and policy initiatives that support physical and cognitive well-being. By the end of the course, students will be able to evaluate ageing-related health issues and apply healthy ageing principles to professional and community contexts.
 

Healthy Ageing: Mental Health and Well-being Across the Lifespan

This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of mental health and psychological well-being within the context of healthy ageing. It examines common psychological challenges associated with ageing, such as stress, loneliness, loss, and life transitions, while also highlighting protective factors including resilience, meaning in life, and social connectedness.

Students will explore theoretical frameworks and empirical research related to mental health promotion, prevention, and intervention for older adults. The course emphasises a holistic and person-centred approach, considering cultural, social, and environmental influences on mental well-being. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate mental health strategies and apply healthy ageing principles to enhance psychological well-being across diverse ageing contexts.

Public Leader and Leadership: Practices and Challenges

Public leaders play a vital role in public organizations, such as navigating public service provisions, steering reforms, promoting excellence, and coping with challenging crises. The leadership skills required in the public sector differ from those in business organizations. In the Asian region, public leaders become more important in bureaucratic organizations than those in Western contexts. This course offers an overview of public leaders and leadership, locally, regionally, and globally. It highlights the essential leadership skills needed in the public sector. By the end of the course, students will understand the antecedents and consequences of effective public leadership. It emphasizes the synergy of theoretical knowledge and practical experience in understanding public leaders and provides opportunities for students to develop and enhance leadership skills in the future. 

Religions, Spirituality and Life Education 

This course examines philosophical, spiritual, and ethical traditions from both Chinese and Western cultures, with emphasis on Confucianism (the Four Books), Daoism, and Buddhism. The curriculum provides a structured overview of how these teachings relate to life education, individual development, and social dynamics. Students will assess ways in which historical perspectives inform contemporary contexts.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to identify the core concepts of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism within Chinese culture; analyze the content and significance of the Four Books for life education; discuss the philosophies of Daoism and Buddhism and their roles in spirituality and well-being; and consider methods for applying these principles within current approaches to life education and personal development.

Policy Design and Practice in Elderly Care Service

The course provides students with an opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired throughout the programme to the analysis and design of policies addressing real-world challenges in elderly care services. Under academic supervision, students will identify a relevant policy or service issue, analyse its policy context, stakeholder needs and available evidence, and develop feasible and evidence-informed policy options and recommendations. Particular attention will be given to the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and their implications for elderly care service management and social governance. Through this process, students will develop and demonstrate policy analysis and design capabilities, research literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ethical and culturally responsive considerations, producing a coherent policy proposal that reflects master’s-level academic and professional standards.

Humanistic Approaches to Public Policy and Education

This course examines public policy through humanistic, ethical and educational perspectives. It explores how values such as care, trust, responsibility, dignity, justice and moral development shape policy design, public service delivery, community governance and educational governance. Particular attention will be paid to how humanistic perspectives can enrich elderly care and social governance.

Law, Regulation and Cross-border Enforcement in Social Services

This course examines legal and policy issues arising from cross-border social services, elderly care, health care and related service delivery. Topics include healthcare liability, insurance arrangements, regulatory coordination, residential and care arrangements, data sharing, service standards, cross-border enforcement, judicial procedures and the protection of service users' rights across jurisdictions.

Management and Design of Age-Friendly Services & Communities

This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices involved in the management and design of age-friendly services and communities. Drawing on frameworks such as age-friendly cities, inclusive design, and community-based ageing, the course examines how physical, social, organisational, and policy environments can be designed to support active participation, autonomy, and well-being among older adults.

Students will explore key domains of age-friendly development, including housing, transportation, healthcare, social services, public spaces, and community engagement. The course emphasises interdisciplinary and user-centred approaches, integrating perspectives from public management, service design, urban planning, and social innovation. Through case studies and applied learning activities, students will critically evaluate existing age-friendly initiatives and develop practical strategies for designing and managing services and communities that respond to the diverse needs of ageing populations.

Communication, Media and Public Governance

In the digital age, the way in which information flows is constantly changing. At the same time, the interaction between traditional media and new technologies is also influencing communication trends, and the changing media and communication landscape is having an increasing impact on the outcomes of public governance. This course aims to provide participants with a theoretical overview of communication, media and public governance. It also explores the relationship between communication, media and public governance in the new era through analysis of international, national and local cases. Students are also taught to analyse how new media affects public governance and to understand how effective communication and media power can enhance governance.

Business Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation

This course introduces students to entrepreneurship, social innovation and business development in response to social and public challenges. It examines how entrepreneurial approaches can be used to address ageing, community care, public service innovation and cross-sector collaboration. Students will learn how to identify social needs, develop project ideas, test feasible models and communicate proposals to stakeholders.

Mindfulness in Values and Life Education

This course aims to provide students with a strong theoretical foundation in mindfulness as it relates to values and life education. Through this course, students will learn about the concepts, theories, and pedagogies of life and values education, as well as how life and values education can be implemented across the curriculum for young people at various developmental stages and from diverse cultural backgrounds. Additionally, students will explore how mindfulness facilitates values education by promoting the development of self-awareness, enabling individuals to reflect on their core values and align their actions with those values. They will also gain insight into the role of mindfulness in supporting life education by helping individuals build life skills to manage stress and navigate challenges, fostering the resilience needed to thrive in difficult circumstances. By integrating these elements, the course intends to enhance students’ understanding of mindfulness and its application in the context of values and life education.

Mindfulness, Well-Being and Meaning in Life

This course aims to provide students with a solid theoretical foundation in mindfulness as it relates to well-being and the search for meaning in life. Students will first learn how mindfulness enhances their awareness and understanding of themselves and the world, as well as their responses to internal and external events. They will also gain insights into the attitudes of mindfulness and how these attitudes shape awareness and perception, influencing emotions and behavior. Subsequently, students will explore the benefits of mindfulness in promoting well-being and meaning in life, as well as in reducing stress and depression. Lastly, they will learn about the psychological and psychophysiological mechanisms behind the benefits of mindfulness and its clinical applications in addressing mental health issues.

Public Policy and Public Finance

This course explores the role of the HKSAR and the Chinese government in public policy and finance and tries to answer important policy questions such as government response to different issues. Drawing on the cases of Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and other countries such as the USA, Japan and Singapore, the course covers topics ranging from fundamental principles of public finance, the role of government, budget process and procedures, revenue generation, intergovernmental fiscal relations to education finance and income distribution. This course aims to help students better understand the intricacies of public finance and public policy.

Government Business Relationships: Practices and Trends

While the business sector is the main driving force of economic growth and prosperity, governments across the world develop and adopt different policies and approaches to regulate and engage with the business sector. In many ways, governments can make a significant difference in economic development and create various opportunities for businesses and industries. In return, businesses can be very powerful in shaping government policies and affecting citizens’ well-being. The government-business interaction can fundamentally affect how the economy and society are organised. Therefore, comprehensively understanding government-business relationships is crucial for all stakeholders. This course will employ a comparative perspective to systematically introduce government-business relationships across the world, with a particular focus on the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Asia. Both the trends of the relationships and the fundamental political economy philosophy that shape the relationships will be discussed in this course.