“Hong Kong has long been regarded as a ‘blessed land,’ but beneath this illusion of safety, are we overlooking the real risks?” Dr. Fong pointedly asks.

In the interview, Dr. Fong states, “The greatest risk in Hong Kong is not the disasters themselves but the lack of disaster preparedness awareness.” He analyses the reasons behind the public’s general lack of knowledge, from fire escape protocols to community response training, and suggests practical measures Hong Kong can adopt by learning from other regions.

Dr. Fong advocates for a collaborative approach among the media, schools, and government to promote disaster education. He emphasises the need to strengthen disaster response frameworks at the educational, institutional, and community levels to ensure Hong Kong is better prepared for potential challenges.

#HSUHK #SCOMtalk #Talkshow #SchoolofCommunication #ScarletTSO #RonaldCHIU

The School of Communication at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) warmly welcomed the latest cohort of Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (MA SC) students at an orientation session held on the afternoon of 5 February 2026.
The event commenced promptly at 2:00 PM at Room D408 of the Lee Quo Wei Academic Building with a formal address delivered by Prof. Scarlet Tso, Dean of the School of Communication. Prof. Tso congratulated the incoming postgraduate students and offered inspiring remarks that set an encouraging tone for the session. The Associate Deans, Prof. Ronald Chiu and Dr. James Chang, along with other faculty members, also conveyed their warm greetings, emphasising the school’s commitment to fostering a supportive, collaborative, and professionally focused learning environment.
A key highlight of the afternoon was the comprehensive Programme Overview and Study Plan presented by Dr. Howard Song, Programme Director of MA SC. Dr. Song introduced the programme’s distinctive curriculum design, core modules, and intended learning outcomes, offering students a clear and structured roadmap for their academic journey ahead.
Following the formal presentations, attendees enjoyed a casual reception featuring tea, coffee, cookies, sandwiches, and other light refreshments. This informal gathering provided an ideal setting for new students and faculty members to engage, network, and begin building their academic community.

A delegation from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) visited the School of Communication (SCOM) on December 17, 2025. The delegation, led by Professor Zhu Ying and Professor Li Junling, both Associate Deans of the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC), along with other SJC representatives, received a warm welcome from SCOM. Professor Trevor Siu (Director, MA-DMOC), Professor Howard Song (Director, MA-SC), Professor Chan Chi Kit (Director, MA-EMMC), Professor Clio Wu (Director, BA-ACC), and Senior Manager Ms Amy Mak participated in the intercollegiate exchange.

During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities to deepen collaboration through joint training programmes, exchange programmes for students and teachers, and customised courses. The discussion proved highly productive. The delegation also visited SCOM’s Cinema and TV Production Centre.

Group photo

Group photo

Students from the School of Communication have achieved outstanding results in the “2025 Campus News Awards ” organized by China Daily (Hong Kong Edition). Under the guidance of their advisors, two groups of students won the Gold Award for “Best Culture and Arts News Reporting” and the Merit Award for “Best News Page Design”, respectively, through their works published in the school’s publication, Enlightenment Post. The judge praised the Gold Award entry for “Best Culture and Arts News Reporting”, titled “Cantonese Graffiti in Hong Kong: Art in Urban Public Spaces”, stating that it “adds perspectives from sociology and psychology, exploring the interesting insights hidden behind the phenomenon of Cantonese street graffiti.” Now in its 14th year, the China Daily Campus News Awards attracted participation from over 110 journalism and communication institutions across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, with more than 1,000 entries submitted this year. The list of award-winning students from the School of Communication is as follows:

Gold Award for Best Culture and Arts News Reporting: “Cantonese Graffiti in Hong Kong: Art in Urban Public Spaces”

Award-winning students: Tsui Yan Pui, Chan Ka Wing

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Merit Award for Best News Page Design: “‘Guzi Economy’ Hits Hong Kong: How Secondary Culture Creates Business Opportunities”

Award-winning students: Yun King Hei, Ho Wai Kwan, Kam Yui Man, Cheng Lok Yiu

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Congratulations to the award-winning students!

Professor Scarlet Tso, Dean of SCOM, Professor Ronald Chiu, Associate Dean of SCOM, award-winning students Kam Yui Man and Cheng Lok Yiu, along with their advisors Dr. Clio Wu and Dr. Connie Chan, took a group photo.

Award-winning students received their prizes.

Photo of Professor Scarlet Tso, Dean of SCOM, Professor Ronald Chiu, Associate Dean of SCOM, Dr Connie Chan, and the award-winning students.

Award-winning students were interviewed by China Daily.

Becky Wong, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of INDEX GAME and INDEX ACADEMY, was invited to share in “SCOM Talk Series” organized by the School of Communication at Hong Kong Hang Seng University last Thursday (November 27th). She shared her insights on “New Era of Media” with the teachers and students, exploring how emerging technologies are serving as key forces driving innovation in cultural content, education, and news in the era of global media convergence.

Becky discussed how local Hong Kong enterprises are assisting local brands with AI and Web3 promotion, sharing practical insights on models for cross-sector collaboration. The necessary skills for the future media professional was identified. She emphasized that  students should leverage technology and creativity within global resource networks to effectively promote cultural exchange and content innovation. Becky encouraged students to strategically utilize technological tools such as AI, Web3, XR, and interactive platforms, combining an international perspective with local creativity to cultivate skills in cross-sector integration and global collaboration.

Group photo

To enhance students’ understanding of the preservation, inheritance, and innovation of Hong Kong’s cultural arts, the School of Communication organized an insightful visit to The Mills in Tsuen Wan for 32 teachers and students on November 20, 2025.

The Mills, formerly known as Nan Fung Cotton Mills, embarked on its revitalization project in 2014 and officially opened its doors to the public on December 6, 2018. This landmark preservation initiative, developed by the Nan Fung Group, serves as a cultural and creative hub in Hong Kong. It features workspaces, the Centre for Heritage Arts & Textile, retail areas, and relaxation zones, hosting a variety of events that allow visitors to immerse themselves in local art and culture.

The visit was mainly divided into two parts: a guided tour and a sharing session. First, the guide led students through three original factory buildings of The Mills, including The Mills Fabrica, The Mills Shopfloor, and CHAT Factory 6, allowing students to learn about the history of the Mills and its revitalization process. Afterward, the teachers and students went to the Centre for Heritage Arts & Textile and visited the Textile Culture and Art Museum, where colleagues from The Mills guided them through the museum to understand the spinning processes of the past.

The visit concluded with a sharing session featuring Ms. Ada Leung, the Head of the Branding and Communications Department at The Mills. She shared her insights on the philosophy of The Mills’ founder and the vision behind the Textile Culture and Art Museum. Ms. Leung emphasized the museum’s commitment to engaging with the community to promote the preservation, inheritance, and innovation of cultural arts, thereby increasing community participation and fostering awareness of the importance of cultural arts preservation. She also highlighted the museum’s active collaborations with primary and secondary schools, universities, and various organizations to promote cultural arts, enhancing public understanding of its significance. Despite the challenges of resource allocation and financial constraints in promoting cultural arts preservation, Ms. Leung noted the founder’s dedication to contributing to the legacy of Hong Kong’s cultural arts.

At the end of the program, some students, eager for more knowledge, lingered to further explore and appreciate the art exhibits. Many shared that although they had visited The Mills before, they had not grasped its deeper significance, while others expressed that this visit had been an enlightening experience.

This visit provided students with valuable insights into the revitalization process of The Mills and its business development, broadening their perspectives on the promotion, inheritance, and innovation of cultural arts.

The guide, Mr. Johnny, introduces the history and development of The Mills to the students.

Mr. Johnny introduces the art installation.

Students explore the areas that have been preserved from the old factory.

Mr. Johnny explains the A Garment-to-Garment Recycle System.

Students visit the “Textile Culture and Art Museum,” where the guide explains the yarn production process.

Students have the opportunity to feel the texture of the yarn firsthand.

Ms. Ada Leung, Head of Branding and Communication, shares insights with the teachers and students.

Ms. Ada Leung is presented with a commemorative gift from the School of Communication

The teachers and students take a group photo in the atrium of The Mills.

10 November 2025

The Consumer Council’s “Consumer Rights Reporting Awards” has long been dedicated to recognizing journalists who have made significant contributions to consumer rights issues. This year’s competition received a total of 466 entries from 35 media organizations, social platforms, and higher education institutions.

Among the submissions, two teams from the Bachelor of Journalism and Communication (Honours) program received accolades in the Tertiary Student Journalism Award category:

Silver Award in the Tertiary Student Journalism Award Category:

• Award-winning Entry: “Cross-Border Fresh Meat Risks”
• Award-winning Team: Lam Kwun Yat, Luo Yanshan, Chong Hiu Ching, Cai Changyi, Lau Wan Yeuk
• Synopsis:
  A significant trend has emerged on social media regarding cross-border purchases of fresh meat. Some sellers claim they can deliver directly from the mainland to various locations in Hong Kong. What legal and food safety risks are associated with this practice?

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Merit Award in the Tertiary Student Journalism Award Category:

• Award-winning Entry: “Unlicensed BBQ Venues”
• Award-winning Team: Cheung Chun Hei, Chow Chin Hoi, Hui Siu Fung, Chan Hau Pong, So Wing Lam

• Synopsis:
  Our investigation has revealed that several private barbecue venues in the New Territories lack the necessary licenses. Additionally, there are concerns that some may be operating barbecue businesses illegally in industrial units, which poses serious food safety and fire hazard risks.

Video Link

Congratulations to the award-winning teams!

Awardees of the Tertiary Student Journalism Award

Photo of Professor Scarlet Tso, Dean of SCOM, Professor Ronald Chiu, Associate Dean of SCOM and the award-winning students.

Congratulations to our students!

Silver award winners posing in front of their works.

Merit award winners posing in front of their works.

The School of Communication held its SCOM Awards Presentation Ceremony for the 2025–26 academic year on 6 November 2025. The ceremony was hosted by Professor Scarlet Tso, Dean of the School of Communication, with Ms Angel Wong, Circulation and Marketing Director of China Daily Hong Kong Limited, and several faculty members serving as officiating guests.

In her address, Professor Tso remarked that the ceremony was not merely an occasion to present awards, but more importantly, a celebration of the students’ persistence and pursuit of excellence throughout their learning journeys. She encouraged students to “take integrity as their foundation and creativity as their wings”, urging them to soar higher and reach further as they continue to grow and explore.

Professor Tso also reminded students that academic success should not be measured by grades alone — attitude and character matter just as much. She called on them to seek truth with discernment, to speak up with courage, to respect diversity, to listen with empathy, and to appreciate the strengths of others. With passion and determination, she said, students should dare to chase their dreams and let the world hear their voices.

This year’s ceremony recognised over 100 students for their outstanding achievements in the 2024–25 academic year. Awards presented included the Most Improved Awards, Best Progress Awards, Honour Roll, Dean’s List, and the China Daily Hong Kong Scholarships.

The China Daily Hong Kong Scholarships were awarded to ZHANG Yuhan (BA-CMCT) and XIAO Ziyu (BJC) for their exceptional academic performance and accomplishments in media and communication studies.

In their vote of thanks, the awardee representatives expressed sincere gratitude to their teachers for their guidance and to their families and peers for their unwavering support. They said the awards were not only a recognition of past effort but also a motivation to move forward with confidence, determination, and pride as members of the School of Communication.

Professor Scarlet TSO encouraged students to uphold integrity as their foundation and let creativity be their wings — so that they may soar higher and venture further in the years ahead.

Ms. Angel WONG, Circulation and Marketing Director of China Daily Hong Kong Limited, presents a China Daily Hong Kong Scholarship to XIAO Ziyu.

Ms. Angel WONG, Circulation and Marketing Director of China Daily Hong Kong Limited, presents a China Daily Hong Kong Scholarship to ZHANG Yuhan.

FONG Lap Yin, Ray, student of the BA-CMCT programme, delivers a speech on behalf of the recipients of the Dean’s List award.

XIAO Ziyu, student of the BJC programme, delivers a speech on behalf of the recipients of the China Daily HK Scholarships.

Leung Ka Hei, Jayden, performed the Cantonese song “任我行”.

JIANG Yuxuan, Della, performed the Cantonese song “最愛”.

Photos of the awardees with the award presenters.

Professor TSO presents a souvenir to Ms Angel WONG.

Group photo of the Awards Presentation Ceremony.

In response to the challenges of the data era, the School of Communication at Hang Seng University of Hong Kong hosted the “Symposium on Personal Information Protection in China: Online Privacy and Data Ethics” on 2–3 October 2025. The event brought together academics, legal practitioners and industry experts from the United Kingdom, the United States, Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong, with simultaneous online streaming via Zoom. Funded by the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Project No.: UGC/IIDS14/H01/24), this symposium explored legal, ethical and governance challenges in the data era.

 Professor Simon HO, the President of Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, delivered the opening address, noting: “We are living in a world being radically reshaped by data. The digital technologies that connect us, empower us, and drive innovation are also generating profound ethical questions we have never faced.. In this new frontier, online privacy and data ethics are not just technical concerns; they are the essential moral cornerstones of a trustworthy cyberspace.” He emphasised that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and big data technologies has made personal information protection a core concern for governments, businesses and academia alike. In his welcome address, Professor Scarlet TSO, Dean of the School of Communication, stated: “Communication educators and media practitioners must possess professional judgement and ethical awareness, understanding the impact of disseminating and utilising information on individuals and society. Professor HONG, Yanqing from the School of Law at Beijing Institute of Technology, who delivered the keynote address and has participated in drafting multiple national regulatory documents, outlined key shifts in China’s personal information protection and data security legislation and oversight. Centring on the successively enacted Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law, and Personal Information Protection Law, he specifically proposed: “Three compliance pathways—security assessments, personal information protection certification, and standardised contracts for cross-border data transfers—as the regulatory framework for data exports.” He also addressed risk governance in generative artificial intelligence, particularly the requirements for content safety, harmlessness, and accuracy outlined in the “Provisions on the Administration of Deep Synthesis of Internet-Based Information Services,” alongside the emergence of more open data security concepts.

 The first day’s agenda comprised three thematic panels: The inaugural session, “Cross-Border Data Transmission and International Experience“ moderated by Chair Professor WU, Yeong-Chyan of Shih Hsin University, addressed China’s legal framework for data outbound transfers, challenges in cross-border data flows, and international governance models. The second session, “Rights and Powers of Personal Information Protection,” moderated by Professor Ronald CHIU of the School of Communication, focused on legal bases for processing personal information, digital identity authentication, and legal challenges arising from citizens’ online device usage information. The third session, “Regulation and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms, and Facial Recognition,” moderated by Dr CHAN, Chi Kit of the School of Communication, explored ethical issues in AI industry innovation, algorithm regulation, and personal information protection. Each session featured thematic presentations and discussions, with participants engaging in in-depth exchanges on legal frameworks, technological governance, and ethical education.

 The fourth session on 3 October, including a comprehensive discussion chaired by Dr Howard SONG of the School of Communication, focused on “Personal Data Protection and Data Security in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area”. Presentations covered comparative policies on cross-border data flows within the Greater Bay Area, particularly examining Hong Kong’s role in personal information protection and compliance between China and the US, alongside regional practices and considerations regarding data security regulations. The Symposium concluded with closing remarks by Professor XING, Huiqiang of the Central University of Finance and Economics, as the Co-Investigator of the research project, emphasised the critical importance of cross-border collaboration and multi-stakeholder participation in advancing sustainable data governance, followed by acknowledgements from Prof Trevor SIU of Hang Seng University.

 Participants acknowledged that innovations in data technology not only present opportunities for the information industry but also impose new demands on journalism and communication education. The symposium further called for establishing cross-institutional, cross-regional, and cross-disciplinary collaboration platforms to share best practices and foster the integrated development of law, technology, and ethics. This approach aims to build a safer, more trustworthy, and sustainable digital environment.

 This symposium not only facilitated exchanges between academia and industry but also provided fresh perspectives and practical directions for future work in personal information protection, online privacy governance, and data ethics. It underscored Hong Kong’s research influence in digital governance and cross-border collaboration.

On 11 September 2025, the School of Communication hosted the “New Chapter Ceremony” to welcome freshmen for the 2025/26 academic year. With the theme “A Journey: Shine, Communicate, Outreach, Mission,” the ceremony aimed to inspire new students to grow with confidence, enhance communication skills, explore the world actively, and achieve their aspirations. Over 120 freshmen attended the event, gaining valuable insights for their upcoming university journey.

 Professor Scarlet Tso, Dean of the School of Communication, addressed the students, encouraging them to focus on diligent study while actively participating in school activities. She emphasized the importance of self-expression, respect for others, effective communication, and community involvement. She urged students to take full advantage of school resources and fully embrace campus life.

 This year’s ceremony introduced a new format with six key themes: “Attending Classes is Crucial,” “IELTS – Take It Early,” “Internships – Precious Opportunities,” “College Activities – Broaden Horizons,” “Personal Tutor – Your Strongest Support,” and “Big Family.” These highlighted the importance of regular class attendance, early preparation for the IELTS graduation requirement, and proactive participation in internships to enhance employability. Students were encouraged to join activities such as seminars, overseas exchanges, and competitions to expand their professional understanding while earning SCOM Hours for future internship applications.

 Each student was assigned a personal tutor for academic guidance. Tutors were introduced during the event, promoting a supportive mentor-student relationship. The “Big Family” theme fostered inclusivity, urging students from diverse backgrounds to respect and support one another, embodying the spirit of unity in the School of Communication. The event concluded with group sharing sessions led by the Programme Directors and student mentors, followed by a tour of the School’s professional facilities. This ceremony provided a strong starting point for freshmen and set the stage for their academic and personal growth.

The “New Chapter Ceremony” for the School of Communication in 2025 has officially commenced.

All the faculty members of the School of Communication met with the new students.

Professor Scarlet TSO, Dean of the School of Communication, delivered a welcoming address, urging the new students to take the initiative in their studies, engage actively in college activities, and remain attentive to the community.

The School of Communication uses six key phrases to kick off the “New Chapter Ceremony,” reminding new students of important points to pay attention to in their studies.

Dr. Clio WU introduced the curriculum structure and graduation requirements of the School of Communication to the new students.

The teachers introduced the keywords and their points of attention.

The freshmen listened attentively to all the important matters.

Introduction of Personal Tutors and an orientation session for new students.

A group photo.

The Program Director, the Deputy Program Director, and the Personal Tutors are conducting group discussions and sharing with the new students.

Senior students are leading the newcomers on a tour of the various facilities at the School of Communication.