Support Framework
Through PHDI
Action Cycle

The well-being and whole person development of students, staff and the wider community are core values of campus culture at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK). The University offers outstanding guidance that permeates academic, professional, and personal spaces by ensuring postgraduates are well supported throughout their study period.

The Framework

EdUHK has responded to the needs of Taught Postgraduate (TPg) students by developing a calendar of academic, career-oriented and well-being events, informed by data from The Postgraduate Holistic Development Inventory (PHDI) survey. The survey asks all new postgraduates to rate themselves in 15 domains.

The PHDI is a robust research tool modelled on an undergraduate questionnaire developed by Hong Kong-based scholars. It enables the University to assess an entire cohort quickly and efficiently. Although each cohort is unique, the results can show demographic trends. The annual review gauges the success of solutions and is a good reference point for designing responses to emerging areas of weakness in different cohorts. The evidence-based approach also guides activities that target specific groups throughout the campus. Cross-campus collaboration with the GS, the SAO and other units ensures that individuals benefit from proactive subject matter experts who can assist groups and individuals.

The PHDI assesses new students' attitudes toward these 15 domains, guiding intervention strategies for one-year TPg programmes. The findings initiate a cycle of action among university stakeholders to address identified area of weaknesses.

Activity Plans

The Graduate School (GS) collaborates with the Student Affairs Office (SAO) to plan activities that align with the developmental needs identified in the PHDI. The 15 domains have been conflated into three categories for postgraduate student activities: "Academic", "Career and Professional Development", "Well-being and Networking".

Graduate School Event Highlights

Academic Workshop
and Seminar

Wellbeing and
Networking

Career and Professional
Development

Student Affairs Office Event Highlights

Other SAO Support for TPg Students

Monitoring

We conduct exit questionnaires, interviews, and informal feedback after each event to measure the effectiveness of initiatives against the relatively weak domains, and fine-tune activity planning and contribute to the broader holistic development of TPg students.