Ms. Cherie Hiu Yu Leung (Life Science, Ocean Science) and Ms. Veronica Qin Ting Li (MPhil, Public Policy) of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have won The New York Times-APRU Asia-Pacific Student Case Competition. Their entry, entitled “Air Pollution in Hong Kong: A Market-Based Approach to Infrastructural Change” was published in the International Edition of The New York Times on 18 November 18 2019.
Their policy brief included recommendations to:
1. Increase market penetration of less polluting alternatives for shipping and road transport.
2. Encourage urban greening.
3. Impose an air pollution tax on the commercial industrial and transport sectors.
4. Establish a cross-sector network on air pollution.
The annual Asia-Pacific Case Competition hosted by APRU and The New York Times harnesses the creativity and intellectual tenacity of students from universities to address critical global issues, such as the digital economy, the future of work, environmental changes, and the Pacific Ocean.
APRU was set up in Los Angeles in 1997. It brings together thought leaders, researchers, and policy-makers to exchange ideas and collaborate on effective solutions to the challenges of the 21st century with a network of leading universities linking the Americas, Asia and Australasia. APRU leverages collective education and research capabilities of their members into the international public policy process. APRU’s primary research areas include natural hazards & disaster risk reduction, women in leadership, population aging, global health, sustainable cities, artificial intelligence & the future of work, the Pacific Ocean, and labor mobility.
The New York Times-APRU Asia-Pacific Student Case Competition required students to write an 800-word policy brief for a political leader or public official in their economy outlining the threats to health from air pollution and to promote a solution that will be likely to make an impact. The challenge for the students was to evaluate the global health policy ecosystem in the Asia Pacific and its potential to address United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The competition attracted entries from over 100 students from 26 universities in 14 economies.
Congratulations to all winners!
Further information: https://www.apru-nytimeschallenge.com/
