Many people choose a single path and follow it without hesitation. Shi Xiang, however, has built his career by taking unexpected turns.
From studying clinical medicine at Sun Yat-sen University to pursuing finance at Lingnan College, and later earning a PhD in Economics from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Shi Xiang has transitioned from wielding a surgical knife to exploring the intricacies of societal systems.
In September 2024, Shi Xiang joined Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) as an assistant professor in the School of Economics and Management. His story is one of exploration, adaptation, and continuous growth.
Shi Xiang at Giant's causeway, Belfast
Royal Economic Society 2024 Annual Conference
Encouraged by his family, Shi Xiang began his academic journey in clinical medicine at Sun Yat-sen University. At one of the top medical schools in South China, he developed an appreciation for the precision and logic of scientific study. However, he soon realized that his interests lay elsewhere.
Seeking a new direction, Shi Xiang transferred to the University’s Lingnan College to study finance. The college's liberal arts curriculum allowed him to explore diverse fields, including economics, accounting, and logistics management, broadening his perspective on how efficient resource allocation can drive societal progress.
Shi Xiang's interest in economics deepened during his master's and PhD studies at HKUST. To him, economics provides a systematic framework for understanding and addressing real-world challenges, from resource allocation to market behavior. He describes economics as creating a map of the forest, while finance examines how individual trees grow and exchange nutrients.
During his seven years at HKUST, Shi Xiang delved into health economics, industrial organization, and international economics, ultimately focusing on macroeconomic theory with a particular interest in quantitative methods. His teaching assistant roles helped him improve his skills in education, and he came to appreciate the independence and intellectual freedom that research offered.
In September 2024, Shi Xiang became an assistant professor at XMUM, where he teaches courses such as Basic Econometrics, Principles of Economics, and Research Methodology. Recognizing that undergraduate students come from diverse academic backgrounds, Shi Xiang spends considerable time preparing materials tailored to their needs, aiming to foster a rigorous and adaptive learning environment.
XMUM's integration of teaching and research, along with seamless access to resources from its main campus, has provided Shi Xiang with new opportunities for academic exploration. He also finds joy in the campus's beautiful environment and the warmth of the local community.
Currently, Shi Xiang's research centers on macroeconomics, monetary policy, and social inequality. He examines how changes in monetary policy, such as interest rate adjustments, affect different income groups. Inequality is a particular concern for Shi Xiang, who sees it as a barrier to societal progress, especially in communities where limited savings and investment capacities hinder the effectiveness of policy measures.
Macroeconomics isn't just theory, he often says. It's deeply connected to our daily lives. From national policies to international trade, every decision impacts us in some way.
Shi Xiang's journey, marked by exploration and adaptation, exemplifies how turning corners can lead to unexpected and fulfilling destinations.