Applications for Teaching Development Grant (TDG) 2024

Applications are now invited for funding under the Teaching Development Grant (TDG). TDGs are intended to support projects and activities that will have an impact on the strategic development and promotion of Teaching and Learning (T&L). To ensure alignment of TDG proposals with T&L strategies at Faculty level, Faculties are required to provide matching fund equivalent to one-sixth of the total project cost for a successful TDG proposal submitted by their Faculty members. For priority areas and other details, please refer to Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)’s invitation circular (document 50/324), which may access via https://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_2/cdqa/doc/TDGS/TDG_2024/TDG_List_A.pdf

All applications should be submitted online via the TDG system, which is accessible through HKU Portal > Manager Self Service > Teaching Development Grant (TDG) > TDG System or through the link below:

https://tdg.hku.hk

A video guide is available here.

TDG applications will be processed in batches according to the following cut-off dates in 2024:

1st round – Friday, April 12, 2024
2nd round – Thursday, October 10, 2024
3rd round – Friday, December 27, 2024

General enquiries may be directed to Ms. Cynthia Wong (email: cynwong@hku.hk; tel: 2241 5535) in the Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section (CDQA) of the Registry.

Questions on technical matters of the TDG system may be sent to Dr. Carson Hung of Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) (email: tdg@talic.hku.hk; tel: 3917 6189).

2023 Teaching Excellence Awards

Message from Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)

Dear colleagues and students

I am very pleased to announce the recipients of the University’s 2023 Teaching Excellence Awards. The Selection Panel was deeply impressed with the awardees’ dedication to teaching, their tireless and creative efforts to make learning enjoyable and challenging, and the impact they have made on student learning.

Outstanding Teaching Award

  • Dr. John T.C. Fung, School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

Early Career Teaching Award

  • Dr. Enoch Chan, School of Clinical Medicine and School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Linda Chan, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Ying Wai Chan, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
  • Professor Frank van der Wouden, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Dr. Joni H. Zhang, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

Teaching Innovation Award

Individual award

  • Professor Kristof H.C.G.J. Crolla, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture for Online E-Learning Database for Flipped-Classroom Tutorials on Digital Design Tools & Techniques in Architecture
  • Ms. Susanne E. Trumpf, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture for TAL-L (Taxon-Archive-Lab – Library) – A Materials Archive for Landscape Architecture

Team award

  • Dr. John T.C. Fung of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (Leader), Dr. Siu Ling Chan (Medicine), Dr. Vichy W.C. Ho (Arts), Mr. Chun Kit Chan (Medicine) and Dr. Alice H.Y. Yau (Arts) for A Cross-Disciplinary Transmutable Application of Interactive, Immersive 360 Virtual Reality Videos on a Learning Management System (LMS) Combined with Facilitated Structured 3D Debriefing- an Innovative Experiential Learning Pedagogy in Enhancing Student Learning Engagement
  • Dr. Mei Li Khong of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (Leader), Professor Julian A. Tanner (Medicine), Dr. Fat Man Lau (Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre) and Professor Gary K.K. Lau (Medicine) for Students as Co-Designers – Formalising Student-Educator Partnerships in Curriculum and Pedagogy Co-Creation
  • Professor George L. Tipoe of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine (Leader), Professor Fraide J.A. Ganotice (Medicine), Dr. Jannie Roed (Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre), Professor Linda Chan (Medicine) and Dr. Jian Yang (Medicine) for Reinventing Near-Peer Teaching: The “START to STaR” Programme at the Li Ka Shing, Faculty of Medicine

I would like to thank our external assessor Professor Moira Fischbacher-Smith (Vice-Principal (Learning and Teaching) of the University of Glasgow) for providing us with expert advice during the final selection process. I would also like to thank the other Panel members: Professor Pauline Chiu, Professor Cecilia Chan and Mr. Derek Cho (student representative) for their assistance in this important exercise

Please join me in congratulating the awardees!

Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)
Chair, Selection Panel for 2023 Teaching Excellence Awards

HKU Laidlaw Scholars showcasing research & leadership learning journey in a poster session

 

A Poster Session of the HKU Laidlaw Scholars Programme was held on October 4, 2023 to facilitate experience sharing and networking among some 50 HKU Laidlaw Scholars as well as research supervisors, and to celebrate the achievements of the Scholars in their pursuit of research excellence and leadership development under the HKU Laidlaw Scholars Programme.

The event was graced by Ms Susanna Kempe, the Chief Executive of the Laidlaw Foundation, who visited the University on October 3-4, 2023 to meet with HKU Laidlaw Scholars who have completed their summer research either at HKU or in one of the partner Laidlaw universities including University College London, University of St Andrews and University of Leeds, as well as those who were engaged in leadership-in-action projects in Fiji Island, Mexico, Uganda or the US as part of their two-year Laidlaw journey.

The Poster Session is a platform for the Scholars to showcase their research projects and findings. “The camaraderie and enthusiasm displayed by everyone were truly remarkable. It was heartening to see scholars supporting and encouraging one another, even in fields different from their own. The event served as a reminder of the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and the potential impact it can have on our respective research endeavors, said Zahra Lotfifard, a Year 3 HKU Laidlaw Scholar majoring in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology who presented her Laidlaw research on “Arterial ageing – SIRT1 Regulation of Vascular Tone”.

Ms Kempe also visited LKS Faculty of Medicine to meet with Professor Wang Yu, who gave an overview on her research on SIRT1, which is an anti-aging protein in human body, and ways to utilise this protein to prevent aging associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and stroke. Dr Vengatesen Thiyagarajan (Rajan) from the School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, organised a tour for Ms Kempe in the Hongkong Oyster Hatchery and Innovation Research Unit, which demonstrates a new incubation technology which could be adopted by local farmers in 2024 to improve the sustainable development of the oyster farming industry in Hong Kong, and South China in the longer term.

The HKU Laidlaw Scholars Programme was introduced at HKU since 2017-18. The Programme invests in talented and motivated undergraduate students, enabling them to acquire knowledge and skills in research as well as training in leadership. The Programme comprises five main elements: a research project, leadership development, a leadership in action experience, an ethical leadership masterclass and networking through a global network.

Each year, the University selects 25 scholars to receive the HKU Laidlaw Scholarship, which enables them to take part in 6-week summer research in the first summer, and a leadership-in-action project in the second summer. As of today, over 130 students have received the scholarship to conduct their research projects in the summers of 2018-2023.

For more details about the HKU Laidlaw Programme, please visit https://tl.hku.hk/horizons/laidlaw/. The next call for applications (2024 cohort) will be announced in November 2023.

Please check the photo album here

HKU Academic Receives UGC Teaching Award 2023

Message from Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)

Subject: 2023 UGC Teaching Award

Dear colleagues and students

I am delighted to share with you the exciting news that David Bishop of the Faculty of Business and Economics has won the prestigious 2023 UGC Teaching Award (General Faculty Members).

David has delivered outstanding teaching, innovation and dedication to student success throughout his academic career. In recognition of his achievements, he was honoured with the University Distinguished Teaching Award in 2022. He has a unique teaching style that combines intellectual curiosity, energy, drive and dedication to create exciting and rewarding learning opportunities for students.

David believes that students learn best when they are actively engaged in real-world problem-solving and decision-making. He has developed a variety of experiential courses that provide students with the opportunity to grapple intellectually with the intricacies of real-world business and legal problems. He has founded local and international award-winning charitable foundations and social enterprises, the majority of which are active today and support HKU student learning.

Please join me in extending our warm congratulations to David!

Best wishes, Ian

Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor
(Teaching and Learning)

Briefing Sessions on Student Feedback on Teaching and Learning (SFTL)

Student Feedback on Teaching and Learning (SFTL), formerly Student Evaluation of Teaching and Learning, provides a structured feedback mechanism for the University’s courses and teaching. To foster a better understanding of the SFTL process among colleagues, the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) will be hosting the following briefing sessions on the SFTL administration in the 2023-24 academic year. Details are as follows:

(1) Session 1 will target primarily at teachers and present an overview and highlight the aspects of the SFTL administration.

Date: October 18, 2023 (Wednesday)
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Room 201, KK Leung Building, HKU
Language: English
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=90431

(2) Session 2 will target primarily at colleagues supporting the administration of SFTL and explain the SFTL work procedure with demonstration of the online SFTL system.

Date: October 18, 2023 (Wednesday)
Time: 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Venue: Room 201, KK Leung Building, HKU
Language: Cantonese
Registration: https://hkuems1.hku.hk/hkuems/ec_hdetail.aspx?ueid=90637

Colleagues please feel free to choose the session that you deem more suitable for you. Enquiries on the briefing sessions may be directed to Ms. Kiz Chuk of TALIC (phone: 3917-4862; email: sftl@hku.hk).

 

Two self-paced online courses – An edge for academic success at HKU

Message from Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)

Dear Freshers:

We hope your first weeks at HKU are both exciting and fruitful!

We know that transitioning to university studies can be daunting!

To help you navigate, and give you an edge to academic success in the university setting, two self-paced, online courses are available to you as part of the Future Readiness Initiative – which aims to help students become future-ready in their HKU studies and beyond. A website for the Future Readiness Initiative is here: https://fri.hku.hk/.

 

Two courses

Both courses are online and self-paced, with about 20 hours of learning time each, for you to study at your own time and pace.

Course 1: Preparation for University: Essentials for Success, developed by CAES, highlights the differences between studying in secondary school and in the university, and emphasizes the communication and study skills that pave the way to fruitful studies

Course 2: Introduction to Research Methods, developed by FOSS, teaches research skills – but don’t let the word “Research” unnerve you
Almost every conclusion and decision we will make is going to be based on a kind of “research” as our society becomes more data-rich.  This course is designed to be easy and very accessible– so that year 1 and entry level students can learn the skills.  So, it is for you!

Completion of each course earns one out-of-classroom credit.  You can claim these as transcriptable credits in blocks of three.  So if you complete both of these courses, earning just one more out-of-classroom credit would enable you to gain an extra three academic credits on your transcript.

Students are welcome to complete these courses anytime, but we hope you do so sooner rather than later! So, we have made it easy for you–  year 1 undergraduate students in 2023-24 are pre-enrolled into the courses through the HKU portal. Students who complete both courses by October 31 will receive a $50 voucher for the Visitor Centre store.

New one-stop shop for freshman students

A first year student website – https://firstyear.hku.hk/ has been set up as a one-stop-shop site for a lot of useful information, both academic events and extra-curricular activities for new students—come check it out!

Engage, experiment and enjoy!

Best wishes – Ian & Pauline

Prof Ian Holliday Prof Pauline Chiu
VP/T&L AVP/T&L

Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Fund 2023/24 (Second Round)

Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Fund 2023/24 (Second Round)

Dear colleagues,

The Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre is inviting applications for the Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Fund 2023/24 (Second Round). The funding supports Faculties to introduce, expand or enhance experiential learning in their undergraduate curricula. The projects may or may not be credit-bearing and may or may not constitute part of the formal undergraduate curriculum.

The application period is from October 3 to October 31, 2023. More details can be obtained from http://ghelc.hku.hk/experiential-learning-fund/.

Regards,

Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre

Teaching Exchange Fellowship Scheme

Message from Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry

Teaching Exchange Fellowship Scheme

Applications are now invited for the Teaching Exchange Fellowship (TEF) Scheme.  The Scheme aims to enhance the scholarship of teaching and learning at the University, including experiential learning, through enabling academic staff members to share experience and to collaborate on teaching and curriculum development initiatives at reputable universities where excellent pedagogical practices or curriculum innovation are being implemented, and to facilitate reciprocal visits to the University by academic staff of these institutions.

All full-time teaching staff with a minimum of two years of service at the University are eligible to apply.  Applicants are expected to take a leadership role in curriculum enhancement and pedagogical innovations at the departmental/Faculty level.

Details of the Scheme and application procedures can be viewed at:
https://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_2/cdqa/doc/TEFS/TEFS_2023-24.pdf

Interested colleagues are encouraged to attend the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) seminar on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, in RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU.  Applications and the supporting documents should be submitted to Ms. Cynthia Wong, Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry on or before Thursday, February 1, 2024.

Enquiries may be directed to Ms. Wong (cynwong@hku.hk).

Teaching Development Grant (TDG) 2023

Message from Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry

Teaching Development Grant (TDG) 2023

This is to remind colleagues that the next round of TDG application will close on October 13, 2023, and the cut-off date for the third round of application is December 27, 2023.  Please refer to the invitation circular (document 42/223, URL below) for details:

https://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_2/cdqa/doc/TDGS/TDG_2023/TDG_List_A.pdf

All applications should be submitted online via the TDG system, which is accessible through <https://tdg.hku.hk> or HKU Portal (navigation: HKU Portal > Manager Self Service > Teaching Development Grant (TDG) > TDG System).

General enquiries on TDG may be directed to Ms. Cynthia Wong (cynwong@hku.hk) of Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry.