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<div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757581369913[ABS-CBN] aYn - CUHK Thumbail.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="line-height:1;text-align:center"><em>Photo source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong</em></div><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div><p style="line-height:1">Filipino skills, knowledge, and even inventions have been recognized globally over the past years. Filipinos have excelled in many fields all over the globe, however, with high tuition fee, costs of living, and rent, studying abroad for most Filipinos is still a dream that is far from being a reality. A privilege in which most rich families may enjoy.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Scholarships, however, are changing the situation. More Filipinos are now getting the chance to pursue education overseas, earn an international diploma, and boost their resumes.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Beyond academics, the experience offers more than a degree. It builds global friendships, offers fresh perspectives to our kababayans, and shapes the future of our country in ways that the normal classroom at home may replicate.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">For Filipino PhD candidate Yvan Ysmael Tobias Yonaha, the journey to getting his degree has led him to The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), where his passion for sociology evolved into a mission to address inequality and labor issues in the Philippines.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17570478413751.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="line-height:1;text-align:center"><br/><em>Photo source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong</em></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>From pulpit to classroom</strong> </div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Yonaha graduated in Sociology from the University of the Philippines, while his interest in the field began almost by chance when his father&#x27;s advice and a friend&#x27;s recommendation guided him toward the field.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">&quot;Once I got into sociology, I realized straight away that this was the thing that I wanted to study, but I did not even know it existed,&quot; shared Yonaha.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">At one point, he even dreamed of becoming a priest. Over time, however, he chose the classroom and the field over the pulpit, determined to confront real-world social problems.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">&quot;I had always been interested in solving social developmental problems since high school,&quot; said Yonaha. &quot;I wanted to identify what social problems there are and do my part to mitigate the negative effects and improve the outcomes of people&#x27;s well-being,&quot; he added.</p><div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17570481633942_3.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/> </div><div style="line-height:1;text-align:center"><em>Photo source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong</em></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">A visiting professor from CUHK became both mentor and friend, eventually introducing him to the university.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">&quot;I was recommended by a visiting professor and my mentor when I was doing my thesis to look into CUHK for my future career development,&quot; shared Yonaha.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>A rewarding education experience</strong></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Yonaha was drawn by CUHK&#x27;s faculty, wide-range curriculum, and close proximity to the Philippines. He applied for a PhD and the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS).</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">&quot;I learnt that the faculty at CUHK was not only very good, but I also found someone in my department who fitted into what I wanted to do,&quot; he said.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Despite travel restrictions then due to a global illness outbreak, he found the experience deeply rewarding.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1"> &quot;When I first came here, I was primarily a qualitative researcher, but now I can do both. That goes a long way to build my identity as a researcher,&quot; explained Yonaha. </p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">CUHK was founded in 1963, currently it is one of the only universities in Hong Kong that operates with a collegiate system, offering students a supportive community and well-rounded education. Its eight faculties cover Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">More than 230 postgraduate programs are taught in English, ranging from PhDs to master&#x27;s degrees to postgraduate diplomas and certificates. Currently, CUHK ranks 32nd globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and 9th in Asia in Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2025, with 22 of its subjects ranking in the world&#x27;s top 30. Its faculty and students have gained recognition in diverse fields, from medicine to robotics.</p><div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17570482142544.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1;text-align:center"><em>Photo source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong</em></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">CUHK also offers generous funding for full-time MPhil and PhD students, including an annual studentship of about US$29,400. The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, worth more than US$230,000 covers tuition, living expenses, and research allowances. Certain taught postgraduate programs also offer scholarships.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Yonaha is one of the beneficiaries of this fellowship support, which allows him to dedicate himself entirely to his research.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>Hong Kong: Gateway to Asia</strong> </div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Hong Kong is a global hub for scholars and a gateway to mainland China, enriched by its &quot;East-meets-West&quot; heritage. The city offers rich cultural experiences and diverse career opportunities.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Moreover, recent developments have allowed full-time non-local postgraduate students to take up work or internships while studying. Graduates may also stay in Hong Kong for up to 24 months without a job offer.</p><div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17570482980355_6.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1;text-align:center"><em>Photo source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong</em></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">CUHK&#x27;s student community includes individuals from more than 50 countries—including a dynamic and active Filipino student community. Filipino student groups host academic discussions, cultural events, and support networks for newcomers.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">&quot;I get to hear their research ideas and their research questions, from Canada, the UK and all over the world,&quot; said Yonaha. &quot;Now when I speak about my country, the Philippines, I can also speak with the rest of the globe because I see how my empirical and practical concerns for the Philippines&#x27; development can also speak to larger theoretical problems in Sociology.&quot;</p><div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17570483357737.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1;text-align:center"><em>Photo source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong</em></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><div style="line-height:1"><strong>Your chance to experience studying abroad</strong></div><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">Reflecting on his time at CUHK, Yonaha said it is the small details that have made the greatest difference for him.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">&quot;It is the little things that improve your experiences as a researcher, expand your imagination as an academic,&quot; explained Yonaha. &quot;The library organizes workshops on how to write a good introduction for your dissertation. Those small things pile up and help improve you as an academic researcher.&quot;</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">For Filipinos inspired by Yonaha&#x27;s story, CUHK will host a series of virtual information sessions &quot;CUHK Postgraduate Virtual Info Week 2025&quot; during October 20-31, 2025, where attendees may learn more about postgraduate opportunities, funding, and student life.</p><div style="line-height:1"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175704849879508.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1;text-align:center"><em>Photo source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong</em></div><div style="line-height:1"><em> </em></div><p style="line-height:1">Participants will have the opportunity to meet the Dean of the CUHK Graduate School, faculty representatives, and current students to explore study options and career paths.</p><div style="line-height:1"> </div><p style="line-height:1">For details and registration, visit the CUHK Postgraduate <a href="https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/admission-events/">website</a> to know more.</p><div style="line-height:1"><br/></div>

<p>CUHK offers Filipino students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate degrees in one of Asia's most vibrant education hubs.</p>

CUHK offers Filipino students the opportunity to pursue postgraduate degrees in one of Asia's most vibrant education hubs.

How to get your fully-funded PhD degree at CUHK

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How to get your fully-funded PhD degree at CUHK

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Published Sep 22, 2025 12:00 PM PHT

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