HKU joins Harvard and MIT led global online education platform

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Message from Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) Professor Amy B M Tsui

Dear colleagues, students, alumni and friends,

Many of you will know how important it is for HKU to be both internationally engaged and at the forefront of innovations in teaching and learning.

As part of our continuing endeavours in this area, I am pleased to announce that the University has joined edX, a non-profit online education platform founded by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) which provides a platform for massive open online courses (MOOCs). HKU is among the few Asian universities which have become new members of the “X universities”.

MOOCs, through the use of a quality and effective learning platform – which includes web environments, interactive video, online discussion, social/cohort interaction etc. to support teaching and learning – access to knowledge would be enhanced and a large group of people could be benefited.

MOOCs are an educational innovation that will bring about a seismic change in the higher education landscape that has yet to be understood. The opportunity to witness and contribute to this change cannot be missed.

At this stage, HKU will provide a series of HKUx courses that are specially designed for edX, including “vernacular heritage in Asia”, “law, economy and society”, “Chinese and Western philosophy” and “infectious disease and public health”. These courses will be taught by professors of Architecture, Economics, Philosophy and Public Health.

The University will continue to call on professors with a track record of excellence in teaching to offer HKUx courses so that not only HKU students but also students from around the world can benefit from our online programmes.

HKU is delighted to be part of this consortium of world class universities and I look forward to seeing how the HKU community can work with the consortium to fully leverage technology to make quality higher education more accessible to all.

Professor Amy B M Tsui
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)

Note: More details can be found at
http://www.hku.hk/press/press-releases/detail/9721.html
http://www.hku.hk/press/all/
and https://www.edx.org/

Postponed to May 29, 2013: Sharing Session on Academic Advising Issues

Academic Advising Office
Special Announcement from the Academic Advising Office
The sharing session on academic advising issues scheduled for today (22 May) was postponed to May 29, 2013 (Wed), 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Room MW405-406, 4/F, Meng Wah Complex

Academic Advising OfficeMessage from the Academic Advising Office

Dear colleagues,

The Academic Advising Office appreciates all those in the University community, Faculty Academic Advisers in particular, who have helped with the full implementation of the academic advising system in the double cohort year. We are very grateful for your contributions in addressing the various advising needs of your advisees. As this semester winds down, it comes as an important time to reflect on key issues and advising cases.

AAO has therefore organized for a sharing session to be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. in Rm 408, 4/F, Meng Wah Complex (sandwich lunch will be provided).

This sharing session will focus on the following questions :

  • What are identifiable trends from discontinuation and withdrawal cases?
  • How do you detect academic risks in your advisees?
  • Should you intervene when your advisees receive poor academic results?
  • What alert strategies are being used by faculties to identify academically “at-risk” students?
  • What advice is available for students balancing residential hall life with academics?
  • What are key issues when advising on enquiries about programme transfer?
  • Why is it important to utilize partnerships on campus?
  • When and in what ways do psychological issues affect academic performance?

For on-line registration and details, please click HERE

We once again appreciate your support in participating in this event to share your experience with other colleagues. Looking forward to seeing you on May 22.

Kind regards,

Katherine

Katherine Wan
Head
Academic Advising Office
Rm 07-08, Upper Ground Floor,
Knowles Building, Registry
Tel: 2859 2430
http://aao.hku.hk