Programme Introduction

Background

Our world today is faced with countless challenges: social, economic, and environmental. These are often complex multi-faceted issues that the solutions of yesterday cannot solve. Innovation and having an innovative mindset are the ways forward. Apart from innovation and technological advancement, a sustainable business operation model is also necessary to deal with the social issues in the long term.

In recent years, social entrepreneurship has become a rising business trend. Besides government bodies and NGOs, many large corporations and their spin-offs and start-ups have started to make social impact as this is recognised as a new driver for business growth.

The SEIM programme was founded to grasp these opportunities and nurture the next generation of social entrepreneurs and leaders ready to champion social impact, innovation, and having a purpose-driven career in various fields, including government institutions, NGOs, social enterprises, as well as profit-making companies that have a strong sense of corporate social responsibility and social mission.

Objectives

Prepare students to become problem solvers, leaders and pioneers in social innovation with an entrepreneurial mindset
Introduce students to the theories and methodologies of innovation management and social entrepreneurship
Equip students with pedagogies of innovation and humanitarian technology incubation
Provide students with hands-on experiences and real-world exchange and internship practicums to prepare them for upcoming career opportunities

Programme Key Features

Interdisciplinary (management, entrepreneurship, social studies, and engineering)
Mixed-mode teaching (lecture, tutorial, seminar, workshop, internship) with extensive experiential learning and hands-on training
Experienced and professional teaching team and industry experts from various backgrounds
Comprehensive learning amenities (Design Innovation Lab, OSL Makerspace etc.)
International and established collaborative network (partners include MIT D-Lab, Mountaintop Initiative Lehigh University, School of innovation and entrepreneurship Guangdong University of Technology, Lingnan Entrepreneurship Initiative etc.)

What Will You Learn

As a SEIM student, you will :

Apply practical frameworks to create actionable plans for novel initiatives
Learn innovative methods to solve complex problems in public, private, and nonprofit sectors
Develop a strategic mindset for driving innovation and managing change within large organisations and new start-ups
Transcend interdisciplinary boundaries by fusing insights from business, social sciences, technology, and design

Progression

Students are required to achieve CGPA of 2.50 or above in order to proceed to the next term. The Board of Examiners shall, at the end of each term, recommend whether each student is:

a) Eligible for progression towards an award;

b) Eligible for an award; or

c) Required to withdraw from the programme.

A student will normally progress unless he/she falls within the following categories, any of which may be regarded as grounds for withdrawal from the programme:

a) The student cannot attain a CGPA of 2.50 at the end of each term;

b) The student has exceeded the maximum period of study, which is 3 years in full-time mode or 5 years in part-time mode; or

c) The student is unable to attain a CGPA of 2.67 at the end of the programme.

A student will be given a warning if his/her CGPA is above 2.50 (the level required for progression) but below 2.67 (the level for graduation). The BoE concerned can then take a decision on the marginal cases and report their findings and conclusions to the PCC for follow-up on the student(s) involved. The minimum CGPA for special consideration for a chance of continuation will be 2.33 for the SEIM Programme. In such situations, special consideration for continuation will be given after assessment by the Programme Director (e.g. through an interview) on their quality or standard and personal plans to improve their performance. The BoE can then take a decision on these marginal cases and make recommendations on these cases for special consideration by the PSC for a chance of continuation.

Level of Award

Award of Master of Arts

The performance of students in each course is assessed by a combination of continuous formative (e.g. in-class discussions, short and long essays, analytical reports, group projects and presentations) and summative assessments (mid-term and final exams, independent capstone projects). The assessment will follow the general grading policy as prescribed by Lingnan University for taught postgraduate studies.

To qualify for the award of the Master of Arts in SEIM offered by Lingnan University, students must, where applicable:

• obtain 30 credits;

• attain a Cumulative GPA of 2.67 (equivalent to B-) or above;

• fulfil the English exit requirement, if applicable; and

• fulfil all University/programme requirements;

Final award

A student who has fulfilled all the requirements for graduation will be awarded a Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management (SEIM) with one of the following classifications. These classifications (see the table below) are given according to the student's Cumulative GPA on all courses.

Classifications of final award in SEIM programme

Degree Classification	Minimum Cumulative G.P.A.
Distinction	3.50
Pass	2.67

Intermediate award

Students will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in SEIM if they complete no less than four courses equal to 15 credits (taking at least one six-credit course) with a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.33. Acceptance of an intermediate award implies an intention not to complete the final award.

Award of Final Award or Intermediate Award will follow the university’s admission and exit language requirements.

The maximum period of study is 3 years in full-time mode or 5 years in part-time mode.

Why Lingnan?

The only Liberal Arts university in Hong Kong
Close Faculty-Student Relationship
Vibrant and Residential Campus
Abundant Global Learning Opportunities
Community Serving for Positive Changes

Sustainable Development Goals

Graduates from Lingnan University have the knowledge and tools for leading society in a more sustainable way, as sustainable development is an integral part of all programmes. The three key sustainable development goals addressed by SEIM are:

The programme helps to improve employment opportunities, particularly for young people who have ideas to solve questions that matter by providing quality teaching and coaching students in creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. This programme provides knowledge in different fields of industries with an emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, and humanitarian technology. Moreover, students will get an opportunity to learn about the ideas of sustainable communities and responsible consumption of natural resources and production by the application of creative ideas, entrepreneurial approaches, and innovative management to create a better world.

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