HKU Bulletin June 2013 (Vol. 14 No. 3)

FacultyTeachingAwards Each Faculty gives out awards tomembers of its own teaching staff who have demonstrated excellence and commitment in enhancing their students’ disciplinary studies. Outstanding Researcher Award Scholars who produce exceptional research of international merit are honoured with this award, and receive $250,000 to further their research. Architecture Dr Lee Ho-yin won rave reviews in the Student Evaluation of Teaching and Learning, and made valuable contributions to the development of the curricula for the Architectural Conservation Programmes. Ms Eunice Seng Mei-feng has been a driving force in the revitalisation of the Department of Architecture’s history and theory courses, and been strongly committed to implementing e-learning, outcome-based approaches and experiential learning. Arts A course coordinator on three Chinese Language courses, Dr Vichy Ho Wai-chi’s innovations include offering the first practical Chinese course to non-local students for the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and developing the first Chinese Language Enhancement Programme course conducted in English. Dr Tse Yiu-kay has demonstrated outstanding teaching performance and, as a Member of the Faculty Curriculum Development Committee, was instrumental in developing the new BA&BEd(LangEd) double-degree programme in Chinese Language Education. Business and Economics Winners for undergraduate teaching are: Dr Alex Chan Wing-ho who tailor-makes his teaching and learning strategies to meet each student’s individual needs effectively; and Dr Leung Siu-ching who strives to find new ways to implement course delivery through e-learning and innovative contributions to students’ experiential learning. The taught postgraduate teaching winners are: Mr David Bishop for continuously introducing new elements into his courses, and making learning active by engaging students with authentic teaching materials; and Dr Meng Rujing who believes that learning should be geared towards practice, that is learning-by- doing. Dentistry As a statistician, Dr May Wong Chun-mei devotes herself to helping students to understand the biostatistics and research methodology applied in dental research. As a teacher, she considers the students’ perceptions of their learning needs and designs the curriculum based on those needs. Education The individual award went to Dr Gary James Harfitt who is renowned for his relentless pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, and Dr Lawrence Ng Man-wa, a strong supporter of the problem-based learning curriculum who has contributed greatly to its success. The new team award went to a group from the Division of Speech and Hearing Science led by Dr Anita Wong Mei-yin for their continued and valuable efforts in developing a problem-based learning curriculum to enhance teaching and learning. Engineering Dr Scott Thomas Smith coordinated the development of a new Common Core course and facilitated all undergraduate courses in adopting an outcome-based learning approach. Dr Hayden So Kwok-hay introduced an innovative machine project for first-year electrical and electronic engineering students. Professor Tse Tsun-him has a strong track-record for passionate teaching over the years. And Dr Wong Lui King-shan developed an award-winning web-based interactive learning system that facilitates classroom discussion. Law Mr Chow Wai-shun contributed to the curriculum reform of the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws and developed a simulated e-learning platform for e-learning, among other things. Ms Katherine Louise Lynch built up the Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution and introduced a number of undergraduate mediation courses. And Dr Marco Wan Man-ho has developed a new crossdisciplinary double- degree programme. Medicine Dr Julie Chen Yun played a key role in developing the Medical Humanities programme which is now part of the six-year MBBS curriculum. Dr Jenny Lam Ka-wing has demonstrated great enthusiasm and devotion in teaching physical chemistry and drug delivery in chemistry. And Dr Janice Tsang Wing-hang draws on her extensive teaching experience to bring out students’ full potential and nurture them to be well-rounded medical practitioners. Science Professor Jimmy Jiao Jiujiu is Chairman of the Undergraduate Studies Committee in the Department of Earth Sciences and in that role he has been an active contributor to the development of the new curriculum and new courses. He is also a dedicated teacher and has made significant research contributions in coastal hydrogeology. Social Sciences Dr Michael Charles Adorjan advocates interactive learning and student engagement in the learning process, which has helped to inspire students. Dr Lam Shui-fong encourages students to be reflective learners and to query what they read in textbooks and hear from their teachers. The goal is to make students’ learning authentic and meaningful. Professor Godwin Chan Kwong-yu 0 $ 1 * 2 ! 3 $ ! % & = - $ 3 " ! 2 5 Professor Chan is one of the top one per cent cited scientists in his field of electrochemistry, which involves converting chemical energy into electrical energy, and developing materials to promote electrochemical energy for a clean environment and for more efficient energy conversion. He has made significant contributions on multi-scale structured materials for applications in fuel cells and batteries, including five inventions in these areas, and he holds out hope that one day the discoveries in electrochemistry will make it possible to recharge equipment using a liquid such as alcohol. Professor Chan is also a pragmatist and he recognises such discoveries are rarely made by one individual. He therefore also puts effort into cultivating a new generation of researchers. “My work involves great challenges that cannot be fulfilled by a single person’s efforts, so I also hope I can make enough effort to trigger the interest of others, especially research students, and motivate them to continue to fulfill these dreams.” Professor Guan Xinyuan 0 $ 1 * 2 ! 3 $ ! % & = + " " ) * + > ) % + % 7 5 After more than 25 years of research into cancer genetics, Professor Guan has made major contributions in the field including developing the micro-FISH technique, and the identification and characterisation of cancer-related genes and of cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. He studied in the US for 11 years. “There they pay more attention to lung cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer – but in China, liver, esophageal and nasopharyngeal cancers are common, so that’s why I came back to Hong Kong to study and to try to identify the genes involved with the development of these cancers,” he said. His current research is focussed on cancer stem cells, cancer microenvironments, cancer metabolism and cancer-related genes in liver, esophageal and nasopharyngeal cancers. Professor Guan admits that cancer research is not an easy job, and that researchers frequently have to face failure. “Cancer is a very complicated disease, a very smart enemy,” he said. “Every time you think you can catch it, it finds other ways to escape.” But he is encouraged when other people recognise his work. “A lot of people cite our work in their papers, so our work is very meaningful to others.” – this gives him the confidence to continue to fight the enemy. June 2013 33 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin Teaching, Research and Knowledge Exchange Awards