Teaching Excellence Awards 2025 – Congratulations to the 2025 Teaching Excellence Awardees!

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 Teaching Excellence Awards 2025. The selection panel was deeply impressed with all the applicants’ unwavering commitment to teaching and the significant, positive impact they have had on student learning. The awardees provided exceptional stories of how their teaching experiences addressed unmet needs in innovative ways or how their teaching expressed outstanding examples of “best practice”. The selection panel was especially pleased with the high number and quality of applicants for the Early Career Teaching Award and celebrates the winners this year with full expectation that those not selected in this round have bright prospects of being future award recipients. 

Outstanding Teaching Award (individual award)

  • Dr. David R. Birks, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Dr. Hoi Hoi Cheung, Department of Data and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
  • Mr. Beau L. Lefler, Faculty of Business and Economics

Early Career Teaching Award

  • Dr. Vivian H.Y. Chu, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Dr. Ginger W.K. Ko, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
  • Dr. Kin Sum Leung, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science
  • Dr. Michael B.C. Rivera, Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Professor Tianren Yang, Department of Urban Planning and Design, Faculty of Architecture

Teaching Innovation Award (individual award)

  • Professor Weiming Zhu, Faculty of Business and Economics

Teaching Innovation Award (team award)

  • Professor Dawei Wang (team leader) and Professor Haipeng Shen, Faculty of Business and Economics, for “Beat The Bot – An In-Class Teaching Simulation”

I would like to thank our external assessor, Professor Robert K. Kamei (Duke-NUS Medical School), for providing expert advice during the final selection process. I would also like to thank the other panel members, Dr. Jannie Roed, Professor David Bishop, and Miss Kan Yu Wong (student representative), for their assistance in this important exercise.

Please join me in congratulating the awardees!

Professor Jay Siegel
Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)
Chair, Selection Panel for Teaching Excellence Awards 2025

Changes to the Required Course – Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (CTLHE)

Message from Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre

Dear Colleagues and Students,

Further to the information from the Graduate School, all full-time research postgraduate students (RPgs) at HKU are required to take the course “Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (CTLHE)” in order to perform any official assigned teaching and assessment duties during their postgraduate studies. The certificate course, provided by the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC), aims to initiate RPgs into the principles of learning, teaching, assessment and feedback in a university context and to model ways how teaching can be improved.

As presented to the Teaching and Learning Quality Committee recently, changes to the CTLHE will be implemented starting from the academic year of 2025-26. We would like to draw your attention to the major changes listed below:

1. The number of hours for the course has been reduced from 24 to 14 hours of face-to-face instruction; full attendance is still required.

2. Around 24 classes (arranged into six cohorts) will be offered each academic year. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Online course registration generally opens 4 or 5 weeks before each cohort begins. Students will receive a bulk email from TALIC before the course registration begins. They are also advised to stay tuned to the updates available at https://talic.hku.hk/professional-development/certificate/.

3. Students should register individually and provide support documents (e.g., official teaching assignment email specifying the course code, teaching role and semester involved) to complete the registration process. Applications with insufficient proof/documentation will be rejected.

4. Course participants are required to complete two micro-teaching practices and a new written reflection to receive a certificate. The written reflection requires students to reflect on (i) a real teaching session they conduct in their department (signed off by the teacher responsible for the session) or (ii) marking/grading scripts (signed off by the teacher responsible for the grading). Subsequently, only students who teach or grade students’ work will be able to complete the course. The new course information will be available at our programme website soon.

5. Students should submit the written reflection within 12 months of the first class. Any special requests (e.g., extensions for the written reflection submission deadline) should be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Please note that each student will only be granted a maximum of one six-month extension.

Should there be inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Canice Mok at tsmok@hku.hk. 

Thank you for your attention!

Best Regards,
The CTLHE Team

Teaching Exchange Fellowship Scheme 2025-26

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. 

TEF 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_2025-26.pdf

Submission of Applications

Applications in 2025-26 will be processed in two rounds with the following deadlines:

  • 1st round – Wednesday, October 22, 2025
  • 2nd round – Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Applications and the supporting documents should be submitted to Ms. Cynthia Wong, Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry. 

Interested colleagues are encouraged to attend the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) seminars scheduled for Wednesday, September 10, 2025 and Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., in RRS 321, 3/F, Run Run Shaw Building, Main Campus, HKU. 

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

Applications for Teaching Development Grant (TDG): October and December 2025

Applications are now invited for funding under the Teaching Development Grant (TDG). 

TDG is 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 55/725, URL below):

https://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_2/cdqa/doc/TDGS/TDG_2025/TDG_List_A.pdf

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

The application deadlines for the October and December rounds are Friday, October 3, 2025 and Tuesday, December 23, 2025 respectively.

General enquiries may be directed to Ms. Cynthia Wong (email: cynwong@hku.hk; tel: 3917 5535) of Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section 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).

Updates on new GPT models

Message from Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)

Dear colleagues and students, 

To maintain your access to the latest large language models (LLMs), ITS will release new OpenAI models on the HKU ChatGPT web app https://chatgpt.hku.hk on 3 June 2025. These models are GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1-mini, GPT-4.1-nano, and a new reasoning model, o4-mini. At the same time, ChatGPT-3.5, GPT-4, and GPT-4o models will be retired.

Additionally, following a two-month preview period, student usage of DeepSeek-R1 will start to require token deductions from the monthly balance allocated by the University.

Should you have any questions, please contact ITS at ithelp@hku.hk.

Best wishes, Ian

Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)

Access to DeepSeek-R1 and DeepSeek-V3 on the HKU ChatGPT web app

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

Dear colleagues and students,

To enhance your AI experience within a protected environment, ITS will release DeepSeek-R1 and DeepSeek-V3 on the HKU ChatGPT web app https://chatgpt.hku.hk/ on 17 March 2025. We are happy to be the first university in Hong Kong to launch Deepseek-V3.

Please note the following:

  • We respect your privacy and will only use your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.
  • To comply with our Data Governance and Security requirements, as with the existing ChatGPT supported by Azure OpenAI models, your prompts (inputs), completions (outputs), embeddings, and training data processed by DeepSeek models will NOT be available to other users or used to improve any Microsoft or third-party AI models.
  • Deepseek-R1 is a precise assistant skilled at logical reasoning, structured problem-solving, and clearly explaining complex concepts step-by-step, effectively supporting deeper understanding and detailed analysis during study sessions.
  • DeepSeek-R1 is currently free of charge in preview mode on Azure, until further notice, with no quota deduction from students’ monthly balance. DeepSeek-R1 is a reasoning model and may take a longer time to respond.
  • Deepseek-V3 is an engaging helper excelling at providing clear explanations, and quickly generating fluent answers to general questions, enhancing study efficiency, productivity, and the overall learning experience.

Should you have any questions, please contact ITS at ithelp@hku.hk.

Best wishes, Ian

Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)

Teaching Excellence Awards 2024

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 Teaching Excellence Awards 2024. 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.

University Distinguished Teaching Award

  • Dr. Chun Kit Chui, Faculty of Engineering

Outstanding Teaching Award

  • Dr. Chao Ding, Faculty of Business and Economics
  • Dr. Ka Ho Law, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science
  • Dr. Kin Yi Leung, Faculty of Education
  • Professor Eunice M.F. Seng, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture
  • Professor Thomas H.K. Tsang, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture
  • Dr. Dana Vackova, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

Early Career Teaching Award

  • Professor Wesley L. Attewell, Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Ms. Stephanie Biedermann, Faculty of Law
  • Dr. Chun Sing Lam, School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Phoebe P.Y. Lam, Faculty of Dentistry
  • Dr. Ann K.Y. Leung, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Monica L. Steinberg, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Arts
  • Professor Philip H. Li, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine
  • Professor Zhengyan Li, Department of Politics and Public Administration, Faculty of Social Sciences

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, Dr. Jannie Roed, and Miss Chloe Cheung (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 Teaching Excellence Awards 2024

Collaborative Team led by HKU Honoured in UGC Teaching Awards 2024

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

 Dear colleagues and students

 I’m delighted to share with you the exciting news that the Holistic Competency and Virtues Education (HAVE) Team led by Professor Cecilia Chan (Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre / Faculty of Education) has won the prestigious 2024 UGC Teaching Award (Collaborative Teams Category). The HAVE Team also comprises Professor Samson Tse (Dean of Student Affairs), Professor Albert Ko (Lingnan University), Professor Ben Chan (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) and Dr. Theresa Kwong (Hong Kong Baptist University).

 Since 2016, the HAVE Team has spearheaded numerous initiatives seeking to integrate competencies such as critical thinking and adaptability into university curricula, transcending traditional educational boundaries to equip students for global challenges and opportunities. Notable examples include an AI-driven Career Future-Readiness Platform, which aims to align students’ career aspirations with essential competencies, and a Community of Practice, which facilitates knowledge sharing and innovative pedagogies across institutions. The Team has also developed a Holistic Competency Development Framework for experiential learning that has reached thousands of students across multiple institutions. Additionally, it has established the International Holistic Competency Foundation to accredit courses with holistic competencies. All these efforts stand as a testament to the Team’s dedication to fostering innovation and students’ holistic development in an interconnected world.

Please join me in extending our warm congratulations to Cecilia and the HAVE Team!

Best wishes, Ian

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

Link: HKU Press Release

Quality Assurance Council Audit Report on HKU

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

Dear colleagues, students and alumni

The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) of the University Grants Committee (UGC) has published its Report on the third institutional Quality Audit of the University of Hong Kong. I am very pleased to inform you that the Report is highly positive.

The QAC Audit Panel acknowledges the University’s efforts in reviewing and enriching our education provision and enhancing our quality mechanisms. Its Report notes that the University has effective systems in place for managing academic standards and quality across all programme levels. It recognises our strengths in external engagement, as well as global and local benchmarking. It also acknowledges our comprehensive policies and procedures for programme development, approval, monitoring and review, and the clear academic governance frameworks at the University and HKU SPACE.

Regarding teaching and learning (T&L) enhancement, the Panel recognises the University’s commitment to continuously reviewing and improving T&L in both face-to-face and virtual T&L contexts, noting the effectiveness of the University’s arrangements in this regard.

The University values the Panel’s acknowledgment that externality is comprehensively embedded within quality assurance processes, resulting in significant local and global benchmarking that enhances programmes and the curricula. The Panel also highlights the array of professional development activities offered by the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) to effectively support academic staff throughout their careers, as well as the quality support services provided by the Centre of Development and Resources for Students. The University is committed to fair, transparent and rigorous assessment. We are very pleased to note the Panel’s compliments of TALIC’s comprehensive support which enhances the diversification of assessment practice across the University, and of the robust regulatory processes of HKU and HKU SPACE. The Panel views the development of the Student Information System and its integration with the Learning Management System positively for identifying students who may need additional support.

The Audit Report, along with the University’s response, is accessible on the Teaching and Learning website (https://tl.hku.hk/tl/quality-assurance/hku-qac-audit-2023). This Audit has provided us with a very constructive opportunity to reflect on our T&L provision at all levels and showcase our collective efforts and achievements. I extend my gratitude to all for your dedication to T&L excellence, and for enhancing the quality of our academic programmes and services.

Best wishes, Ian

Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)
The University of Hong Kong

Teaching Matters

Message from Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President (Teaching & Learning)

 

Dear colleagues,

Just a couple of teaching matters to bring to your attention ahead of the new academic session.

 

Plagiarism

The University is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity, and has in place a Policy on Student Plagiarism in Undergraduate and Taught Postgraduate Curricula. Please do inform your students about proper academic practice. Relevant resources can be found on the plagiarism website.

 

Assessment

Assessment is an important vehicle for supporting and guiding student learning. The University has an overarching assessment policy which sets out the philosophy and principles that guide and regulate assessment practice. The key principle is that students should be assessed in an appropriate, fair, rigorous and transparent manner. Solid and timely feedback, not restricted to scores or grades, should be provided. The QAC Audit Panel advised us to enhance students’ understanding of the grade descriptors used in undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses, and to provide better feedback.

I’m therefore writing to ask you at the start of each semester to talk students through the grade descriptors used in your courses, so that they understand the level of performance expected of them. Please also give timely feedback on assignments and written examinations, to enable students to learn from what they have done well and what they have done badly.

The Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) will continue to work on enhancing assessment practice and providing good feedback to students. If you have any thoughts or need any help, please contact the TALIC staff liaison for your Faculty/Office:

TALIC Staff Liaison Email Faculty/Office
Professor Cecilia Chan ckchan09@hku.hk Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Medicine
Professor Lillian Luk lyyluk@hku.hk Architecture, Engineering, Law
Dr Alex Shum alexshum@hku.hk Law, Science
Dr Jessica To jkaryan@hku.hk Arts, Business, Dentistry, Education
Dr Peter Lau pfmlau@hku.hk Business, Social Sciences
Dr Carson Hung carsonks@hku.hk Common Core, Medicine, Science, Social Sciences
Ms Ellen Seto setoe1@hku.hk Arts, Communication Intensive Courses (CIC), Dentistry

 

Happy teaching!

Best wishes, Ian

Professor Ian Holliday
Vice-President (Teaching and Learning)