Empty
Tianda Policy Research Essay Competition
Empty
Open to Students in Hong Kong Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions
Closing date: 17 November 2025
Empty
Students are invited to participate in the Research Essay Competition, either individually or as part of a team. This award-winning programme offers a valuable chance to develop research skills and compete for prestigious prizes.
Register Interest
Deadline: 15 October 2025
Application Form
Submit Entry
Deadline: 17 November 2025
Results Announcement Date:
15 December 2025
About the Competition
The Competition, hosted by the Tianda Institute, is designed to encourage intellectual exploration and critical thinking among young scholars in Hong Kong. It offers students from both secondary schools and tertiary institutions a valuable platform to engage in independent research and present their ideas in a structured, academic format. Participants are invited to select one of the designated topics provided by the organizers and develop their perspectives through thorough analysis, supported by evidence and critical reasoning. Each submission takes the form of a research-based essay, ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 words, allowing students to demonstrate originality, depth of thought, and academic writing skills.
Prizes
Two categories of Awards
Secondary Schools
1st Place: HK$5,000
Runners-Up prizes (x4): HK$2,000 each
Tertiary Institutions
1st Place: HK$5,000
Runners-Up prizes (x4): HK$2,000 each
The two 1st Place winning essays will be published in Tianda Institute’s monthly journal Tianda Reports.
All winners will receive a Certificate of Merit in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
Topics
Secondary Schools
-
Challenges and Strategies for Advancing Holistic Education in Hong Kong
在香港發展全人教育的困難與對策。 -
Assessing the Impact and Role of Global Carbon Market Developments on Corporate ESG Strategies
評估全球碳市場發展對企業ESG建設的影响及作用。 -
Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship in Hong Kong: Present Landscape and Future Outlook
香港創新、創意、創業的現狀與前景。
Tertiary Institutions
-
The Development Direction of Hong Kong as an International Financial Centre
香港國際金融中心的發展方向。 -
The Application of Technology in Urban Development
科技在城市發展的應用。 -
Aligning Youth Personal Planning Strategies with National Development Goal
青年個人規劃配合國家發展大局的策略。
Applicants may choose any one topic within the category they wish to submit an entry. Even if they have selected a topic when registering their interest, they are free to change to another topic while preparing their submission.
Preparing for the Competition
Guidelines on Writing an Essay
Purpose of the Competition
The Competition is open to all students in the secondary schools and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong aiming to stimulate their interest in undertaking research work and enhance their writing skills. It provides an opportunity for students to examine a public policy issue of their choice and learn how to present their research findings in a piece of independent writing.
Who are eligible to participate in the Competition?
Any students studying in secondary schools in Hong Kong can submit an essay under the Secondary Schools Category, while students studying in tertiary institutions can enter the tertiary Category. The Applicant may participate
individually or as part of a team (not more than 5 persons) under the guidance of one or more supervisors who could be a teaching staff of the school/ institution where the Applicant comes from. Where no guiding supervisor has been designated, a support letter from the school/ institution is required.
Submission of a research essay for the Competition
Each Applicant is required to submit an independent, research-based essay of 3,000 to 5,000 words in English or Chinese (excluding charts, tables, appendices, references) for the Competition. The Applicant may choose one of the topics given under the relevant Category and identify an issue (a research question) within the scope of the topic for undertaking the research project and write an essay on it. The Applicant may first register interest in participating in the Competition by completing Parts A & B of teh Application Form before 15 October 2025 after conducting preliminary research on the subject. Upon receipt of the registration of interest, Tianda Institute will provide the Applicant and the registered supervisor(s) with guidance notes on how to prepare for the Competition and how to write the essay. Applicants may officially submit the essay by using the Application Form, or by email to trec@tiandainstitute.org or by registered mail to Tianda Institute, Level 24, CITIC Tower, Mo. 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Central.
What is a research essay? [pdf]
How to start the research project? [pdf]
How to write the essay? [pdf]
Research Ethic [pdf]
Tips for Applicants
Additional tips for Applicants
Essays should be written in English or Chinese. Each section of the essay (e.g. Introduction, Methodology, Discussion, Conclusion) should be clearly labeled. The recommended length of the essay is between 3,000 and 5,000 words, excluding references and appendices.
- Referencing and plagiarism
All sources used must be properly acknowledged in a list of references at the end of the essay. A consistent referencing style, such as APA, MLA or Harvard, should be used throughout. Plagiarism, or copying someone else’s work without proper attribution, is strictly prohibited. When paraphrasing or summarizing, the Applicant should express the ideas in his or her own words and cite the original source.
- Time management
Applicants may consider the following as a general guide:
- Topic selection and defining the research question – 15%
Choosing a topic, identifying the research question, and confirming its relevance to the competition theme.
- Preliminary research and literature review – 20%
Collecting background materials, reviewing existing work, and refining the scope of the project.
- Outlining and planning – 10%
Preparing a clear structure for the essay, with guidance from instructors where possible.
- Developing the main content – 30%
Expanding the essay with methodology, findings, and discussion, while summarizing sources and avoiding plagiarism.
- Drafting the conclusion and recommendations – 10%
Summarizing results, stating recommendations, and noting any limitations.
- Revision, editing, and peer review – 15%
Revising for clarity, coherence, and presentation, checking references, and seeking feedback from instructors or peers.
Evaluation criteria
- Relevance to the theme
One key criterion is whether the essay directly addresses the competition theme and sets out a clear, focused research question that is both relevant and manageable. A well-defined question helps establish the purpose of the paper and provides a strong foundation for the research.
- Depth and quality of research
Judges will look for evidence that applicants have engaged with credible and authoritative sources, such as academic publications, government reports, and reputable organizations. Strong essays will demonstrate critical engagement with these sources rather than simply summarizing their content.
- Structure and coherence
The structure, organization, and coherence of the essay will also be carefully assessed. A well-organized essay should follow a logical flow – from introduction and methodology to findings, discussion, and conclusion – while using clear transitions to guide the reader through the arguments.
- Critical Thinking and Originality
Applicants are encouraged to go beyond repeating existing arguments by providing their own insights, analysis, and creative or practical recommendations. Demonstrating independent thought will strengthen the overall quality of the essay.
- Language, Style and Presentation
Essays may be submitted in either Chinese or English, but must be written in clear and precise language, with attention to grammar, referencing, and formatting. All submissions will be judged according to the same standards to ensure fairness between both languages.
Judges and Advisers
All entries will be assessed by 4 Advisers based on content, quality of research, critical analysis and writing skills.
A total of 10 entries – 5 from each category – will be shortlisted and invited to present their essay for final assessment by a Panel of Guest Judges on 13 December 2025.
Special Advisers
Professor TAM Yiu Chung, GBM, GBS, JP
Vice Chairman of Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, Secretary-General of The Hong Kong Coalition, Member of The Standing Committee of the Thirteenth National People’s Congress
Professor LAU Siu Kai, GBM, GBS, JP
Advisor of Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, Emeritus Professor of the Department of Sociology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Professor Hon Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, GBS, JP
Legislative Council Member, barrister and professor of practice at the Law School of City University of Hong Kong
Guest Judges
Ms Agnes Chan, BBS
Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, Senior advisor to the Chairman Office of EY Greater China
Mr Nicholas Kwan
Deputy Head, Chief Executive’s Policy Unit
Mr Felix Chung
Former Legislative Council Member, Adjunct Professor of Municipal University of Hong Kong and Aberdeen Business School, UK
Professor Francis Lui, BBS, JP
Chair Professor and Director of the Institute of Development Economics at the Macau University of Science and Technology
Advisers
Ms Elyssa Wong
former Head of Information Services at the HKSAR Legislative Council Secretariat, where she provided strategic leadership in research, library, and archival services.
Dr Florence Fong
former Senior Researcher in the Central Policy Unit and the Labour and Welfare Bureau of the HKSAR Government, currently Senior Lecturer at Lingnan University.
Ms Esther Woo
financial management expert, former Head of Risk Management of Morgan Stanley Asia Wealth Management
Mr Gary Lei
information technology expert providing technical consultancy services to hotels, hospitals, smart city projects
Adviser and coordinator
Ms Pauline Ng, SBS
Director (Collaboration & Development) of Tianda Institute, former Secretary General of the HKSAR Legislative Council
Contact Us
For enquiries, please contact Ms Leung, Mr Sit or Mr. Lau at 3972 0623/3972 0643 , or email us at trec@tiandainstitute.org.
All communication regarding individual entries will be kept strictly confidential.
