Announcing the results of
Teaching Excellence
Awards 2010
The Award Presentation Ceremony for Excellence in Teaching and Research has been held on February 17, 2011. Winners of the University Distinguished Teaching Award (UDTA) and the Outstanding Teaching Award (OTA) for 2010 were honoured at the ceremony.
The Teaching Excellence Award Scheme (TEAS), introduced in 2008, is an enhancement of the University Teaching Fellowships, to signify the University’s commitment to recognizing and promoting excellence in teaching. The Scheme comprises the UDTA and the OTA. In 2010, a new Team Award has been introduced under the OTA to recognize and promote collaborative effort and achievement in enhancing Teaching and Learning at the University.
University Distinguished Teaching Award
Dr. Nam-kiu Tsing
The Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science
Dr. Tsing has been selected to receive the UDTA. As Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning), Dr. Tsing has been leading the Faculty of Science in many initiatives contributing to the promotion of excellence in teaching and learning. Dr. Tsing has also contributed to curriculum design and innovation at the University level through his role as member of the Senate Teaching and Learning Quality Committee.
As a teacher, Dr. Tsing has shown his passion and full commitment in nurturing students. He is highly regarded by his peers and students as an excellent teacher. In particular, Dr. Tsing has a remarkable ability in presenting complex mathematical concepts to students not from the mathematics major. Dr. Tsing emphasizes greatly on the interaction with his students and he is always willing to make extra effort to listen to students’ comments so as to continuously improve his teaching and to stimulate his students. He is among those who introduced mid-term course evaluation so that students’ feedback can be followed up in a timely manner in the remaining part of the course.
Hear from the students
“Dr. Tsing is not only an outstanding researcher in matrix analysis but also a very kind and patient advisor for students. Dr. Tsing’s enlightening guidance is not restricted to academics. Instead, he also takes care of students in different aspects of life, with an emphasis on their growing up towards a successful future.”
Zhong Xingxin, 3rd year BSc student
“The pivotal role of Dr. Tsing in organizing the Summer Research Fellowship (SRF) is a solid proof of his dedication to teaching and passion in helping students to equip themselves with practical skills. This fits well with his teaching philosophy that hands-on experience is of the same importance as academic knowledge gained in a traditional classroom setting. As a student who benefited from participating in the SRF twice, I deeply appreciate the valuable opportunities given by Dr. Tsing.”
So Hon Fai, Danny, MPhil candidate
Outstanding Teaching Award – Individual Award
Mr. John C.H. Lin
The Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture
Mr. Lin has been very active in projects in rural areas of China integrating local and traditional construction practices with contemporary sustainable technologies. He has successfully engaged students through Experiential Learning projects such as ‘Qinmo Village School’ and ‘Wu Zhi Qiao Bridge Renovation’, for which he and HKU have been awarded in the Architecture Review Awards for Emerging Architecture in 2009 and 2010.
Hear from a peer
“John has been active in organizing workshops, study tours, and research opportunities for students in the area of rural construction in China. He has worked with the Faculty’s Community Project Workshop to structure experiences that mix community service and knowledge exchange opportunities with experiential learning and research opportunities for undergraduate and taught postgraduate students. Leading students in projects to build rural infrastructure such as bridges and schools or small projects such as rural homes, John has built a strong framework for engaging students in real-world problem-solving and teaching them the responsibilities of architects to the community they serve.”
Jonathan D. Solomon, Acting Head of Department
Dr. David M. Pomfret
The School of Humanities (History), Faculty of Arts
Dr. Pomfret is heavily engaged in teaching and learning initiatives at both the Faculty and University levels. From 2008 to 2010, he served as Associate Dean (Curriculum Development) in the Faculty of Arts, chaired the Faculty Curriculum Development Committee and the Faculty Teaching and Learning Quality Committee, and also served on the Senate Teaching and Learning Quality Committee. In addition, he has made valuable contribution to the HKU Common Core Curriculum since its initial conceptualization, and is convenor of the Humanities Area of Inquiry.
Hear from a student
“Throughout the course, Dr. Pomfret’s confident and knowledgeable teaching style had enabled me to gain new perspectives and insights and become even more interested in certain historical events.”
Ruby Leung Nga Ching, 2nd Year BA student
Professor Bennett C.K. Yim
The School of Business, Faculty of Business and Economics
Professor Yim is consistently ranked among the top 30% most effective teachers at the School of Business. He has received many teaching awards before, including the Undergraduate Teaching Award 2005-2006 at HKU. As member of the Senate Teaching and Learning Quality Committee, Professor Yim has made many contributions to the advancement of the University’s teaching and learning.
Hear from a student
“I must say I am lucky to have met him [Professor Yim] in my few years in the University of Hong Kong because I have not only met a professor, but also a mentor, as well as a good friend, one that has played a significant role in my important years in life, one that I would treasure for the rest of my life.”
Kevin Cheung, BBA Graduate 2008
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Outstanding Teaching Award – Team Award
The Mingde Projects team of the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, has been selected to receive the newly introduced Team Award. The winning team, led by Mr. Peter K.K. Lee, consists of the following members: Professor L.G. Tham, Professor Albert K.H. Kwan, Dr. Ray K.L. Su, Dr. D.J. Guo and Dr. Y.P. Huang.
The Mingde Projects have so far involved the construction of a primary school, a dormitory for a vocational training school, and a kindergarten in the Guangxi and Sichuan provinces of China. In the undergraduate curriculum of the Department of Civil Engineering, experiential learning in the form of project-based design is a compulsory component. The Mingde Projects represent a step of advancement in providing a platform for experiential learning. Students are exposed to new technical and social challenges when they design and build structures in an entirely new environment. They must apply their knowledge, initiative, problem-solving abilities and courage to achieve a set of goals. From 2004 to 2010, the Mingde Projects have gained increased popularity among students. Under the leadership of their very committed teachers and volunteer advisors and mentors, participating students have grown both intellectually and personally.
Hear from the students
“…we measured the lengths of the wooden planks, checked the bunches of steel rods to count the members of steel reinforcement in each bunch, and wrote down points to compile the flow chart and record the work procedures…learnt many working methods which are practical when no advanced machinery is available.”
“…what baffled me was masonry structures, which is something I have never seen or heard about in our classroom teaching. It is rarely seen in Hong Kong because it cannot sustain tall buildings. But it is the principal material used for constructing houses in hilly regions…”
“…By the time you actually did the whole project, experienced the whole process, you would finally believe what you had learnt in class was true…”
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Message from The Vice-Chancellor
I am very pleased to announce the winners of the University Distinguished Teaching Award (UDTA) and Outstanding Teaching Award (OTA) of the Teaching Excellence Award Scheme (TEAS) for 2010:
University Distinguished Teaching Award
Dr. Nam-kiu Tsing, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science
Outstanding Teaching Award
(a) Individual Award
Mr. John C.H. Lin, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture
Dr. David M. Pomfret, School of Humanities (History), Faculty of Arts
Professor Bennett C.K. Yim, School of Business, Faculty of Business and Economics
(b) Team Award (newly introduced this year)
Mr. Peter K.K. Lee (Leader), Professor L.G. Tham, Professor Albert K.H. Kwan, Dr. Ray K.L. Su, Dr. D. Guo and Dr. Y. Huang of the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering for the Mingde Projects
The Selection Panel has been deeply impressed by the achievements and contributions of the awardees as they have all clearly met the criteria specified in the respective awards with regard to (a) teaching and engagement with students and their learning, (b) curriculum design, renewal and innovation, and (c) leadership and scholarship of curriculum design and innovation in teaching and learning.
The awardees will be honoured at the annual Award Presentation Ceremony for Excellence in Teaching and Research, which has been scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 2011; and their names will be posted for a period of five years on the Teaching Excellence Awards Honour Board in the Main Library. Many congratulations!
I would like to thank Professor Amy B.M. Tsui, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) for her leadership in championing the TEAS and Professor Michael J. Worton (Vice-Provost, University College London) for his expert advice as an external member on the Panel for two consecutive years. My sincere gratitude is also extended to the other members of the Panel: Professor Michael T. Prosser (Executive Director of CETL), Mr. Richard A. Glofcheski (Department of Law – UDTA winner in 2009) and Mr. Jacky K.C. Yiu (student representative).
Last but not least, I wish to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to all the other nominees for the UDTA and OTA, for their deep devotion and sustained contribution to promoting excellence in teaching at this great University.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Ceremony on February 17.
Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor
Chairman
Selection Panel for Teaching Excellence Awards 2010