IMPORTANT: S2, 2021-22

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

Dear colleagues

Just a quick note about S2 T&L arrangements.

S2 will be a lot like S1. We’ll continue to offer mostly f2f teaching. We’ll again operate at 75% room capacity, with A/B weeks for a few large classes. We’ll still record lectures and upload them to HKU Moodle. If there are special reasons, individual teachers will seek approval for different arrangements and notify students about them.

In S2, though, there will be two key changes:

  • We’ll no longer support remote learning on UG courses. We’ve asked all UG students to be in HK and able to attend classes by the start of S2 on Monday January 17. It looks like fewer than 100 will fail to arrive on time, mostly because of academic exchange commitments. These students should all return to HK by early February and for the first couple of weeks of S2 can be supported on a case-by-case basis.
  • There will be a vaccine mandate. As I said in my previous email, further details will be provided in the next few days. If you’re planning to get vaccinated, please do so soon.

Many thanks for all you’ve done to get campus life back on track in S1 – it’s been great to feel so much energy at HKU this semester. As usual, please drop me a line with queries – ian.holliday@hku.hk.

Best wishes, Ian

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

2021 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 2021 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.

University Distinguished Teaching Award

  • Mr. Mathew R. Pryor, Associate Professor of Teaching, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture

Outstanding Teaching Award

  • Dr. Christophe D.M. Coupé, Assistant Professor, School of Humanities, Faculty of Arts
  • Mr. Patrick D. Desloge, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Applied English Studies, Faculty of Arts
  • Ms. Vincci W.S. Mak, Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture

Early Career Teaching Award

  • Dr. Peter J. Cobb, Assistant Professor, Faculties of Education and Arts
  • Ms. Promail K.Y. Leung , Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education
  • Ms. Lidia V. Ratoi, Assistant Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture
  • Ms. Janet K.T. Wong, Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine

Teaching Innovation Award

Individual award

  • Ms. Tanya J. Kempston, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Education for Hear This! A Festival of Radio Drama on Zoom 
  • Dr. Ming-yen Ng, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine for Cardiac Imaging Massive Open Online Courses

Team award

  • Mr. Ashley S. Kelly (Leader) and Dr. Xiaoxuan Lu of Faculty of Architecture for Strategic Landscape Planning for the Greater Mekong
  • Dr. George L. Tipoe (Leader) of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Professor Amy Y.M. Chow of Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Fraide Jr. A. Ganotice, Dr. May P.S. Lam and Dr. Janet Y.H. Wong of Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice – an “eMART” Approach

I would like to thank our external assessor Professor Anthony Smith (Vice-Provost (Faculties) of the University College London) for providing us with expert advice during the final selection process.  I would also like to thank the other Panel members: Dr. Susan Bridges, Dr. Yeewan Koon, and Mr. Jason Wong (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 2021 Teaching Excellence Awards 

IMPORTANT: S2, 2021-22

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

Dear UG students

Thank you for working with us to get campus life back on track in S1 – it’s been great to feel so much energy at HKU this semester.

S2 will be a lot like S1. We’ll continue to offer f2f teaching in most courses. We’ll again operate at 75% room capacity, with A/B weeks for a few large classes (see SIS for details). We’ll still record lectures and upload them to HKU Moodle. Only if there are special reasons will individual teachers make different arrangements and notify students about them.

In S2, though, there will be two key changes:

  1. We’ll no longer support remote learning. Teaching will commence on Monday 17 January 2022. We expect all students to be in HK and able to attend classes by then.
  2. There will be a vaccine mandate. As I said in my previous email, further details will be provided in early December. If you’re planning to get vaccinated, please do so soon.

Because of the Government’s strict quarantine arrangements for inbound travel, we urge all UG students who are currently in HK to stay here throughout the winter break. That will be by far the best way to ensure you can attend class at the start of S2.

Good luck to all of you with S1 exams. As usual, please drop me a line with queries – ian.holliday@hku.hk.

Best wishes, Ian

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

HKU Study Abroad Programmes 2021/22 & 2022/23

Message from International Affairs Office

HKU Worldwide Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme (HKUWW) in 2022/23

The HKUWW provides amazing student exchange opportunities for one or two semesters abroad. Don’t miss the opportunity to join the exchange programme and be ready to learn in a new and exciting environment! Please visit our website for application details.

Worldwide Plus Visiting Programme (WWPV) in 2022/23

If you are ready to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself with a different university life abroad, this is the programme for you! We have expanded our partnerships with two renowned and prestigious universities, Yale University’s Yale Visiting International Students Programme (Y-VISP) and the University of Oxford’s Junior Year Abroad (JYA) Programme. Students joining these programmes will attend classes with local students at the host institution, live in residential colleges with them and take part in exciting extra-curricular activities for a full academic year.  Please visit Worldwide Plus Visiting Programme for application requirements and procedures. HSBC Overseas Scholarship will also be available for applicants to apply.

Virtual Winter Programmes in 2021/22

Let’s make good use of the upcoming winter time and join some fun online programmes from the comfort of your home! With easy access to the internet nowadays, you can enjoy internationalisation no matter where you are located. Participating in an online programme is a great way to immerse yourself in the virtual while interesting learning environment through the institutions from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and to get connected with international students all over the world. Start early and plan ahead to choose your favourite programme!

HKU Study Abroad Programmes – Information Sessions for Undergraduate Students

Joining the online Information Session conducted by International Affairs Office (IAO) is your first step to learning more about the overseas opportunities ranging from HKU Worldwide Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme, Worldwide Plus Visiting Programme, Virtual Winter programmes, and other short-term programmes. Please take action and sign up for the session!

Best regards,

International Affairs Office
Academic Liaison Office
The Registry, 9/F, Knowles Building
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

https://intlaffairs.hku.hk/

2021 UGC Teaching Award

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

Dear colleagues and students

I’m writing to share with you the exciting news that two of our colleagues, Dr. Koon Yee Wan of the Faculty of Arts and Professor Daniel Wong Fu Keung of the Faculty of Social Sciences, have received awards under the 2021 UGC Teaching Award scheme. The UGC Teaching Award was established to honour teachers who excel across the entire UGC sector.

Dr. Koon Yee Wan has been honoured with the UGC Teaching Award under the General Faculty Members category. Dr. Koon joined the University in 2006 and is currently Chair of the Department of Art History. Dr. Koon’s teaching excellence has been recognised in Faculty and University teaching awards. Her vision is to transform students’ curiosity into a deeper commitment to the arts. Her ‘art history in action’ strategy underpins her innovative and effective redesign of HKU’s art history programme. She leverages her vast networks for student learning to illustrate the role of art in society and highlight the myriad career opportunities in the arts ecosystem. Dr. Koon is an exceptional educator who epitomizes all that is best about teaching and learning in academia: her disciplinary expertise, passion, energy and genuine care for her students are an inspiration to all. Her immense contributions have lifted the profile of arts education within Hong Kong and across the globe.

Professor Daniel Wong Fu Keung is a member of a cross-institutional team that received the UGC Teaching Award (Teams). The Award recognizes the “Joint University Mental-Wellness Project (JUMP)”, which is a collaborative initiative among five local universities led by City University of Hong Kong. Professor Wong is a leader in cognitive behavioral therapy, with a specialism in adapting western frameworks to eastern contexts. His commitment to teaching has previously been recognised at both Faculty and University levels.

The University’s press release can be accessed at: https://www.hku.hk/press/news_detail_23301.html

Please join me in extending our warmest congratulations to Dr. Koon and Professor Wong!

Best wishes, Ian

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

HKU Horizons Experience Awards 2021-22

Message from HKU Horizons Office

Dear Students,

HKU Horizons Experience Awards 2021-22

The HKU Horizons Experience Awards competition is organized annually to encourage students to reflect on and share their mainland/international learning experiences, with a top prize of $10,000 and two further prizes of $5,000 to be awarded.

For the 2021-22 round of competition, undergraduate students may submit a video of not more than three minutes capturing and reflecting on their local, mainland or international learning experience. Submissions may be made on an individual or a group basis.

Awards will be made on the basis of the substance and value of the learning experience captured, and also the quality of the video presentation. The winning videos, acknowledged as “HKU Horizons Experience”, may be used by the university for promotional purposes, both internal and external. The student producer, individual or group, will be acknowledged as appropriate. The videos may also be refined as appropriate and authorised by the HKU Horizons Committee.

Submissions for the 2021-22 Round are welcome from February 8 to 28, 2022 (2400). Please fill in the online form for your submission. Further details can be obtained at http://tl.hku.hk/horizons/hkuhea.

Regards,

HKU Horizons Office

Teaching Development Grant (TDG) 2021

Message from Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry

This is to remind colleagues that the next two rounds of TDG application will close respectively on October 15, 2021 and December 28, 2021.   Please refer to the invitation circular (document 199/221 amended, URL below) for details, in particular the priority areas and the funding ceilings for different TDG proposals (paragraphs 2-4 refer) and Common Core TDG proposals (paragraph 8 refers):    

https://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_2/cdqa/doc/TDGS/TDG_2021/TDG_List_A_amended.pdf

All applications should be submitted online via the TDG system, which is accessible through < http://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 Miss Alison Lai (email: tdgs@hku.hk; tel: 2219 4832) of Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry. Questions on technical matters of the TDG system may be sent to Mr. Cyrus Chan of the Technology-Enriched Learning Initiative (TELI) team (email: tdg@teli.hku.hk; tel: 3917 1110).

Teaching Excellence Award Scheme 2021

Message from Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section of the Registry

Teaching Excellence Award Scheme 2021

teas2021

This is to remind colleagues and students that nominations are now invited for awards under the 2021 Teaching Excellence Award Scheme (TEAS). 

The TEAS aims to recognise, reward and promote excellence in teaching at the University.  Under the Scheme, there are four categories of awards, viz. University Distinguished Teaching Award, Outstanding Teaching Award (OTA), Early Career Teaching Award (ECTA) and Teaching Innovation Award (TIA).  Besides individual awards, both OTA and TIA comprise team awards to recognise and encourage collaborative effort and achievement in enhancing teaching and learning.  All Faculties are encouraged to nominate colleagues who have made outstanding teaching and learning contributions for these awards.  For ECTA, in particular, we hope to receive at least one nomination from each Faculty.

For further details, please refer to the circular from the Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at:

https://intraweb.hku.hk/reserved_1/cdqa/doc/TEAS/TEAS_List_A_2021.pdf

Nominees are encouraged to contact the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) for advice on the preparation of teaching portfolios. 

All nominations and the supporting documents should reach Ms. Synthia Chau, Curriculum Development and Quality Assurance Section, by October 22, 2021.  Enquiries may be directed to Ms. Chau at 2859 2440 or email to schau@hku.hk.

Teaching Matters (for HKU Teaching Staff)

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

Dear colleagues,

As you are aware, 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 practices. 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. In particular, the QAC Audit Panel has advised us to enhance students’ understanding of the grade descriptors used in undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses, and to provide better feedback.

You are therefore requested at the start of each semester to talk students through the grade descriptors used in their courses, so that they understand the level of performance expected of them. You are also asked to give timely feedback on assignments and written examinations, so as to enable students to learn from what they have done well and what they have done badly.

The Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) will continue to work on enhancing assessment practices and providing good feedback to students. If you have any thoughts or need any help, you are most welcome to contact the CETL staff liaison for your Faculty/Office as set out below:

CETL Staff Liaison Faculty / Office
Dr. Susan Bridges
(sbridges@hku.hk)
Medicine, Dentistry, and Education
Dr. Cecilia Chan
(ckchan09@hku.hk)
Architecture, Engineering, Science, and Business & Economics
Dr. Luke Fryer
(fryer@hku.hk)
Social Sciences, and Law
Dr. Ronnel King
(rking@hku.hk)
Arts, and Common Core

Best wishes, Ian

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

Classroom lecture capturing service

Important message from Information Technology Services

Dear colleagues,

As mentioned in Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) bulk email on May 5, 2021, all lectures in academic year 2021-22, including those delivered f2f, will be recorded and made available on HKU Moodle unless there are specific reasons not to. 

To facilitate lecture recording and uploading on Moodle, the classroom lecture capturing function via Zoom service is enabled on Moodle. All classroom lectures can be recorded and uploaded to Moodle with a few simple steps. Please refer to the followings:

Video 1 (RECOMMENDED): Classroom Lecture Capturing on Moodle (via ITS Moodle Block)

Video 2: Classroom Lecture Capturing on Moodle (Manual Configuration)

Please be reminded that all lectures recorded under this service will be deleted automatically after six months. If you wish to keep a copy of your lecture videos, please download the files within six months of uploading.

For enquiries, please contact:

Immediate Classroom Support Service by LES, ITS (telephone numbers can also be found in each classroom)

  • Main Campus: 3917 5122
  • Centennial Campus: 3917 8888

Moodle and eLearning Support Team, ITS – eLearningteam@hku.hk / ithelp@hku.hk

Other e-Learning questions – TeLi Whatsapp 6437 8034 OR book a one-to-one e-learning consultation with TeLi

T&L policy issues: Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) – hcm00101@hku.hk

Regards

e-Learning Team, 
Information Technology Services