{"id":46226,"date":"2026-09-16T11:55:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T03:55:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/?post_type=school_news&#038;p=46226"},"modified":"2026-09-16T15:35:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T07:35:00","slug":"46226","status":"publish","type":"school_news","link":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/school_news\/46226\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started: Meet the New Cohorts of Our Faculty-hosted Master\u2019s Programmes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>We are delighted to welcome the new cohorts to the Master of Social Sciences in Social Data Analytics [MSocSc(SDA)] and Master of Social Sciences in Population and Policy Analysis [MSocSc(Pop&amp;PA) programmes. Both programmes launched the academic year with vibrant orientations in late August, filled with teamwork, discovery, and shared motivation.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>MSocSc(SDA): Social Data Analysts Connecting Data and Society<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The MSocSc(SDA) Orientation Day warmly welcomed the new cohort with an inspiring address by Programme Director, Professor Tarani Chandola. He introduced students to the programme\u2019s distinctive blend of computational skills and social sciences insights for understanding today\u2019s interconnected world.<\/p>\n<p>Through lively ice-breaking activities, a GPS-guided campus hunt, and a welcome luncheon with faculty members and the MSocSc(SDA) community, students began building connections and discovering HKU together, setting the tone for an exciting journey of curiosity, data-driven discovery, and collaboration.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 51.313%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: hidden;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3427%;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46227\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA2-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.7411%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46231\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3427%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46228\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA3-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.7411%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46229\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA4-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46230\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA5-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA5-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MSDA5-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>MSocSc(Pop&amp;PA): Demographers Integrating Data and Policy<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>The MSocSc(Pop&amp;PA) Orientation Day offered a dynamic start to the new academic journey, beginning with a morning team-building activity designed to foster collaboration among students. At the welcome luncheon, students had the opportunity to meet course instructors and capstone project supervisors, laying the foundation for future collaboration. \u201cIn today\u2019s fast-changing world, understanding how population trends and policies connect is more important than ever,\u201d said Professor Guy Abel, Programme Director, in his welcome address.<\/p>\n<p>The day concluded with a campus hunt, where students worked in groups to discover HKU\u2019s historic sites and immerse themselves in the university\u2019s lively atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>These orientations highlighted the Faculty\u2019s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary teamwork, critical thinking, and a supportive learning community. As our new students embark on their studies, we look forward to supporting their academic journeys and celebrating their achievements in the year ahead.<\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 51.313%; border-collapse: collapse; border-style: hidden;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3427%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46234\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.7411%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46235\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 33.3427%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46233\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA5-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA5-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA5-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 33.7411%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46237\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA3-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-46236\" src=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-4-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/MPOPPA-4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Once again, a warm welcome to all our new students to the HKU family!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","school_new_categories":[781],"school_news_tag":[],"thought_leadership_category":[],"department_category":[],"class_list":["post-46226","school_news","type-school_news","status-publish","hentry","school_new_categories-teaching-learning"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/school_news\/46226"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/school_news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/school_news"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"school_new_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/school_new_categories?post=46226"},{"taxonomy":"school_news_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/school_news_tag?post=46226"},{"taxonomy":"thought_leadership_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/thought_leadership_category?post=46226"},{"taxonomy":"department_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.socsc.hku.hk\/tc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/department_category?post=46226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}