Message from the Head of Department
Message from the Head of Department
Established in 2020 within the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Department of Applied Data Science (ADS) provides a rigorous curriculum centered on three core domains: business analytics, digital humanities, and data visualization. Students also acquire essential skills in statistics and data analytics.
As the first and only technology-specific department at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, the Department has proactively developed a range of digital and technological programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to address the challenges posed by rapid digital transformation and market demands. The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Data Science (BSc-ADS), launched in September 2022, focuses primarily on big data analytics within business, engineering, and healthcare contexts. This programme equips graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge that integrates business applications and liberal arts. Notably, the BSc-ADS programme has been subsidized by the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) with a JUPAS Code JSSY02, commencing in the academic year 2025/26. This endorsement underscores the quality of the curriculum and the pressing needs of the market.
Furthermore, the Department will introduce two new programmes in September 2025, they are the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Solutions for Entertainment and Game Applications (BSc-DSEGA) and the Master of Science in Game Development and Management (MSc-GDM). These additions enhance the Department’s capacity to produce not only skilled data scientists but also professionals equipped for careers in digital entertainment and game development. This evolution reflects the Department's commitment to adapting to the digital landscape by nurturing graduates with technological expertise across various levels, fostering interdisciplinary mindsets capable of addressing complex digital challenges.
In 2020, with a generous donation from the iFREE GROUP and a government matching fund totaling HK$40 million, HKSYU established the iFREE Innovation and Research Centre. This center includes several research laboratories, such as the Big Data Lab, the Virtual Reality Lab, the Social Robotics and Digital Living Lab, and the Innovation Incubation Hub. Additionally, with financial support from the government’s Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (ESGS), a new Game Development Laboratory will be inaugurated in July 2025. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to promote multidisciplinary teaching and research, expand the University’s research agenda, and cultivate a vibrant research community capable of engaging in both liberal arts and technology-oriented research.
The Department remains dedicated to recruiting high-caliber faculty and students, focusing our resources on cultivating the next generation of leaders in applied data science. We eagerly anticipate welcoming you to the HKSYU community.