HKU Bulletin April 2006 (Vol. 7 No. 2)

27 P rofessor Annie Cheung Nga Yin , a Reader in the Department of Pathology , specializes in histopathology, with her major interest in gynaecological pathology and cytology. She has won a string of local and international awards, but said winning the University’s Teaching Fellowship Award had made her very happy. “It’s an honour because this is a prestigious award and it is recognition of what I have been doing all these years. It’s confirmation of the effort I have put into teaching. “My personal philosophy is that we teachers should be open-minded to suggestions and feedback from both students and colleagues. Everyone has their own idea and mine may not be the best. That’s why it’s important to be receptive to other people’s opinions. “I also believe we should be prepared in every aspect of our work. A few years ago I was lucky enough to be involved in one aspect of constructing the new curriculum in the Medical Faculty. The opportunity was important but good preparation was equally important. Because I had worked within the Faculty I understood what could be usefully included in the new curriculum. To make the curriculum run we needed to incorporate the views of those who supported it as well as those who did not. “I believe that frank communication is vital in teaching because that is what helps students understand. Our new curriculum is good in that it is teaching the students and the teachers to be better communicators. “Finally, I think you have to consider the issue of priority. Academics are facing a serious challenge in the reduction of resources and increased demands in research, teaching, clinical or community service and administration. Obviously there’s a priority list and how far up that list you place teaching will be reflected in the way you do your job.” Her student, Jennifer Shum added: “Professor Cheung is an excellent teacher. Most teachers fall into one of two types. The first type is motherly and over-protective, supervising and inspecting every small detail to make sure you make no mistakes. The second type is lofty and makes you feel so stupid you are amazed that you ever got admitted to the department. However, she belongs to a very rare third type. She lets students find their own way, as she understands that true learning is achieved by making mistakes. You know what your study aims are, and if you ever run into problems, she is always there to provide guidance. It is not surprising that a significant portion of Professor Cheung’s postgraduate students have been granted awards. We students love Professor Cheung’s lectures. Her notes are very well organized and easy to use. She believes firmly that universities should choose the best medical students, so as to produce the most competent and caring doctors. However, what makes a good doctor? It’s not necessarily academic achievement alone. In Professor Cheung’s view personal qualities are also extremely important. She recognizes that there is so much more to being a doctor than just good grades. Professor Cheung not only educates students, she also shares their concerns. She has been the Warden of Lady Ho Tung Hall for six years and her relationship with the hall- mates has been excellent. She is both a teacher and a friend; a teacher whom I will remember and miss many years after I have graduated.” TEACHING AND RESEARCH 26 Every year outstanding teachers are honoured by the University for excellence in their field. In the most recent round two medical scientists, Professor Annie Cheung Nga Yin and Dr Gabriel Leung received Teaching Fellowship Awards for their inspirational style and outstanding contributions to the pursuit of knowledge. In coming to its decision the selection panel focused not only on excellent practice in the classrooms, but also on leadership roles over a wide range of teaching activities. Here our teachers and their students talk about what makes an excellent educator. What Makes a Good Teacher D r Gabriel Leung, an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Medicine , was born in Hong Kong, attended boarding school in England, read medicine in Canada and completed graduate studies in America before returning to teach at the University. He was awarded a Faculty Teaching Medal in 2002 and elected Honorary Vice President of the Medical Society by students for 2001-02. Of his most recent award he said: “To doctor is first and foremost to teach. As a medical teacher, I believe our single most important task is to prepare the next generation of doctors to the best of our abilities by inculcating in students a sense of eagerness to learn, integrating new scientific theories with innovative clinical models of care, and demonstrating the optimal balance between professionalism and humanism. “In addition to the delivery of teaching, I am a firm believer in practice-based research generated from the act of teaching. To ensure continuous quality improvement in our teaching programmes, it’s imperative that we solidly ground our course planning and teaching modes in research that is benchmarked against international best practice. In terms of curriculum development and planning, I chair the Community-based Teaching Sub-Committee, and sit on the Faculty’s Undergraduate Education Committee and the Working Group on Graduate Medical Education.” His student, Michael Ni added: “Dr Leung’s innovative teaching programme has driven us, right from our first year, to tackle real clinical problems. He has challenged us to identify areas of knowledge deficit, find the evidence from the medical literature, appraise it, and finally apply it back to the patient’s problem. Using this approach, he has equipped a new generation of doctors with an essential life skill that will better serve our future patients. “Dr Leung’s philosophy of instilling in students a sense of eagerness to learn and striking a balance between science and humanism has earned him respect among students and colleagues alike. His Master of Public Health students have won the top graduating prize for the last three consecutive years. “He also chairs the Community-based Teaching Sub- Committee that coordinates the Medicine and Society theme. In this role, he can be seen as the guardian of the following qualities celebrated in the Chinese medical classic, The Yellow Emperor’s Canon on Internal Medicine , which I interpret as: Medical theory and skills can only be learned and sustained when subjects ranging from astronomy to geography to the humanities are taught and understood. “I’d like to quote Dr Sun Yat Sen, who famously pronounced at this University that after he graduated, he saw that it was necessary to give up his profession of healing men to take up his part in curing the country. “We are very fortunate that since Dr Leung’s graduation, he has seen that it is his duty to inspire us to take up our part in curing society.”