July 2009

International Conference on ICT in
Teaching and Learning

Jointly organized by the OUHK and Hong Kong Web Symposium Consortium, the International Conference on ICT (information and communications technology) in Teaching and Learning 2009 was held on campus on 6-8 July 2009. Themed ‘Blended Learning — Building Technologies and Teaching Practices’, the Conference attracted 150 delegates from local institutions and around the world. The Hong Kong Education Bureau sponsored nearly 100 teachers to take part in some sessions of the Conference. Guest of Honour Under Secretary for Education Mr Kenneth Chen gave a speech before presenting the eInnovation in Education Awards to the winners of the student and institutional projects. This was the fourth time that the OUHK co-organized the annual conference.

Joint Institutions Student Mental Health Ambassadors Training Programme

Twelve OUHK students joined the Joint Institutions Student Mental Health Ambassadors Training Programme organized by the Hong Kong Tertiary Institutions Health Care Working Group. After receiving training in mental health first aid and counselling, they helped to promote mental health education activities on campus, as did their counterparts in their respective institutions. This is the first time that OUHK students have taken part in the Programme.

Theatre Criticism Mentorship Programme for
Tertiary Students

Five full-time students from the School of Arts and Social Sciences proved themselves as skilled writers in drama reviews. As participants of the ‘Theatre Criticism Mentorship Programme for Tertiary Students 2008’, organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the International Association of Theatre Critics (Hong Kong), their drama reviews were included in a collection for publication.

August 2009

MOU with Guangdong
Pharmaceutical University

OUHK President Prof. John C Y Leong signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Guangdong Pharmaceutical University Vice President Mr Zhang Youdou on 18 August. The visiting team received a warm welcome by School of Science and Technology Dean Prof. Ho Kin-chung and staff members. The two parties also toured the OUHK campus together and discussed co-operative possibilities on scientific research and programme offers.

September 2009

New series of ‘Open for Learning’ on TVB Pearl

Following a launch ceremony on 17 September, the new series of ‘Open for Learning’ educational TV programme began airing on TVB Pearl from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Sunday mornings, starting 4 October. At the ceremony held on campus, OUHK President Prof. John C Y Leong and TVB Programme Division Deputy Controller Ms Cecilia Tan signed a contract for the broadcast. Several artistes did a lively presentation of the programme, which covers a broad spectrum of subject areas in arts, sciences and business. The OUHK has been broadcasting educational TV programmes on public channels since its establishment in 1989. The programmes serve not just as complementary learning materials for the University’s students, but are also suitable for viewing by members of the public who wish to enrich their knowledge.

Graduate Internship Programme kicks off

In support of the Government’s Graduate Internship Programme to strengthen career support for new university graduates under the difficult economic circumstances, the OUHK established 31 internship places for its graduates from full-time programmes in September, jointly funded by the Government and the University. During the year, 68 OUHK graduates were placed as interns in local and mainland organizations, including 20 who were appointed and assigned to work in various academic and administrative units of the University. Under the Programme, graduates of the University were offered over 2,000 internship vacancies by over 400 participating companies and organizations, with a monthly salary ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

October 2009

Visit by Under Secretary for Food and Health

Under Secretary for Food and Health Prof. Gabriel Leung visited the OUHK on 20 October, during which he toured Campus Phase Two and watched simulated teaching demonstration at the Clinical Nursing Education Centre. Prof. Leung also discussed issues such as the impact of the new ‘3-3-4’ education system on nursing programmes, the supply of nurses, as well as the offer of nurse training in mainland China with OUHK President Prof. John C Y Leong and staff members.

Debate on sustainable buildings

In response to the Council for Sustainable Development’s promotion of community involvement in the development of sustainable buildings, the OUHK’s School of Science and Technology held a debate competition on 16 October to provide a forum for members of the University to voice their opinions. School Dean Prof. Ho Kin-chung, Assistant Professor Dr Yau Yiu-hung, Council members Ms Iris Tam and Mr Michael Lai, and Mr Benjamin Leung of the Faculty of Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong served as adjudicators. The Students’ Union team and environmental studies student Eddie Chan were presented the Best Debating Team and Best Debater awards, respectively.