Delightful flashback

From September 2015, the OUHK enables all course materials to be accessible across all screens and devices, from laptops to mobiles, on-the-go. It frees users from carrying weighty printed material for reference, and helps to cut down on paper waste. Furthermore, the e-materials have embedded links and hotspots for immediate access to further reading, external websites and/or audio-visual content.

At the 24th Congregation held on 15 December 2015, President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong formally announced the University motto in Chinese: ‘公誠毅樸 • 開明進取’. The motto was approved by the University Council following an open invitation involving all students, staff, alumni and the Council. About 100 motto proposals were received and two finalist proposals — submitted by an alumnus and a student — were selected by the Motto Selection Committee. The two finalist proposals were subsequently merged and refined to form the final motto that was approved by the University Council.

The motto in Latin is ‘Disce, Progredere, Crea’. The motto encapsulates both the Chinese and Western views on education: providing well-being, fairness and justice to all, and that all OUHK students and staff shall act with integrity and honesty, and live in harmony with the nature. They must learn, advance, and create with an open mind and strive for success with perseverance.

The OUHK is appointed by the Education Bureau to conduct Recognition of Prior Learning Assessments for testing, inspection and certification (TIC) industry practitioners. From December 2015, experienced TIC practitioners can obtain formal recognition through assessment by the OUHK’s School of Science & Technology under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism. This recognition of the OUHK’s expertise in professional training, by Government and the testing and certification industry was celebrated on 7 November 2015 with Secretary for Education Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim as guest of honour. Mr Ng commended the OUHK for its vital role in developing the TIC industry in Hong Kong. Chairman of the Industry Training Advisory Committee of the TIC industry Mr Spencer Yeung King-chung and General Manager of the Qualifications Framework Secretariat Mr Patrick Pang Bing-hung also officiated. A panel discussion on ‘How to Apply the Qualifications Framework in the Testing, Inspection and Certification Industry’ followed.

From June 2015, Dr Eddy C Fong has been re-appointed Chairman of the OUHK Council for one year. Members Mr Paul Chong Kin-lit, Dr Anna Yip and Prof. Helen Meng Mei-ling have been re-appointed for three years, while Mrs Sandra Mak Wong Siu-chun, Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing and Dr Samson Tam Wai-ho have been re-appointed for two years. New members Ms Yvonne Choi Ying-pik (left photo) and Mr Silas Yang Siu-shun (right photo) joined the Council for three years starting from June and July 2015, respectively. The University bid farewell to Ms Virginia Choi Wai-kam and Dr Samuel Yung Wing-ki, who retired in the summer.

The OUHK’s Jubilee College was awarded the BEAM Plus Platinum Project Award for its green campus design by the Hong Kong Green Building Council. It also gained a Merit in the FuturArc Green Leadership Award 2015 organized by BCI Asia.

Researchers from the School of Science & Technology gained the HKIE Outstanding Paper Award for Young Engineers/Researchers 2015. The winning project, entitled ‘Optimization for Cultivation of Microalgae Chlorella Vulgaris and Lipid Production in Photobioreactor’, was led by Dean of the School Prof. Ho Kin-chung and Assistant Lecturer Mr Wong Yee-keung.

The OUHK won the ‘Best Business Solution (Application) Special Award, Hong Kong ICT Award’ for its Student Administration System which is a comprehensive, automated, web-based support for multi-mode study for students, tutors and staff. The University has also won the gold award of the Web Accessibility Recognition Scheme for three consecutive years and received a ‘Triple Gold Award’. The awards were jointly presented by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, professional bodies and other organizations.

Ms Helen Tam Yuk-ying, children’s TV host and OUHK alumna, shared her experience of further studies in early childhood education at the Distance Learning & Part-time Programmes Info Day on 13 June 2015.

Officiating at the graduation ceremony on 28 July 2015 were Secretary for Labour and Welfare Mr Matthew Cheung, Chairperson of the Women’s Commission Mrs Stella Lau, President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong, Managing Director of Metro Broadcast Corporation Ltd Ms Bianca Ma, Acting Director of LiPACE Dr Kris Wong and the Programme Ambassador Ms Nancy Sit.

Prof. Leung Chun-ming, Honorary Research Fellow, Emeritus Professor and former Vice President of the OUHK, revisited the University and gave a talk on 30 October 2015. An internationally-renowned astronomer and devout Catholic, Prof. Leung reviewed the meaning of time from the perspectives of science and religion for relevance to human life, sharing his experiences and philosophies.

Over 5,800 graduates received their OUHK awards at the 24th Congregation on 15 December 2015, bringing the total number of OUHK graduates to over 80,000. Among the fresh graduates, over 2,700 were full-time and over 3,100, part-time students. About 56% received undergraduate degrees and nearly 16% received postgraduate awards. OUHK Pro-Chancellor Dr Charles Lee presided over the congregation.

Honorary doctoral degrees were conferred on four distinguished persons. Mr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa), current President of the Legislative Council, is an eminent figure in Hong Kong’s constitutional and political development. He is the founding Chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong. Mr Thomas Brian Stevenson (Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa) is a leading Hong Kong accounting professional and dedicated supporter of community service. He was Managing Partner & Chairman of Ernst & Young’s Hong Kong and China practice. He is the immediate past Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and has served on its Charities Trust for years. Prof. Ruth Emilie Scott Hayhoe (Doctor of Letters, honoris causa), renowned sinologist and specialist in comparative education, has made signal contributions to advancing teacher education in Hong Kong. She is former Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education and is now its President Emeritus. Prof. Justin Lin Yifu (Doctor of Social Sciences, honoris causa), internationally acclaimed economist, is a former Chief Economist & Senior Vice President of the World Bank. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in orienting its economic research direction and pushed for a rethink of development economics.

The OUHK honoured four distinguished individuals as Fellows. Ms Virginia Choi Wai-kam is a management consultant with over 30 years of experience in training, consultancy and human capital development. She contributes to policymaking on manpower development in Hong Kong in a number of Government and statutory bodies through public services. Prof. Philip Yeung Kwok-wing, currently the Executive Director of the Clothing Industry Training Authority, is a pioneer in the textile and clothing industry in Hong Kong. His significant contributions have included various international accreditations for the development of the industry. Mr Samuel Yung Wing-ki, Executive District Director of AIA International Limited, has helped greatly to advance the profession with his some 30 years of experience in finance and insurance. He also supports the community through services in several government bodies and higher education institutions. Mr Peter Lee Kwok-wah is an entrepreneur with a wealth of four decades of experience. He is also a respected philanthropist. He has enabled the building and renovation of schools in less-privileged areas of mainland China and set up scholarships for students to realize their dreams through education.

To show the OUHK’s collective appreciation of current and retired faculty and staff for their dedication and excellence, the Human Resources Unit organized the Awards Presentation Ceremony on 14 December 2015. The President’s Award for Teaching Excellence, the President’s Award for Distinguished Achievement, the Long Service Award and the Retirees’ Award were presented. Joining President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong at the ceremony were Treasurer of the OUHK Council Mr Peter Wan Kam-to and members of the senior management. Several videos showcased the University’s developments and student achievements. The videos also captured students’ gratitude to the awardee teachers and featured the award-winning teams.

Chairman of the Elderly Commission Chairman Prof. Alfred Chan, OUHK Vice President Prof. Danny Wong, President of the BCT Third Age Academy Ms Lau Ka-shi and Acting Director of LiPACE Dr Kris Wong joined Secretary for Labour and Welfare Mr Matthew Cheung in officiating this ceremony on 31 July 2015. Three graduates received Outstanding Student Awards whilst four instructors were presented with Outstanding Instructor Awards.

Distance learning student Mr Lai Ho-wai (Master of Corporate Governance) won the first design competition for the official OUHK Christmas card, jointly organized by the Educational Technology & Publishing Unit, the Public Affairs Unit and the Student Affairs Office. Over 100 entries were received. Merit prizes went to student Mr Yu Kit-ming (Bachelor of Science in Design and Innovation) and alumnus Mr Chen Wangzheng (Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours in Professional Accounting).

About 1,800 LiPACE graduates received awards at the Graduation Ceremony presided by OUHK Vice President Prof. Danny Wong on 28 November 2015. Awards and scholarships were presented to outstanding teachers and students. Appointment certificates were also presented to new honorary advisors.

On 18 February 2016, some 20 media guests toured the new virtual reality clinical simulation facilities of the Division of Nursing & Health Studies, and joined senior management for lunch to celebrate the Year of the Monkey. President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong shared the University’s recent achievements and 2016 development plan.

In November 2015, two Hong Kong innovators presented their life lessons at the LiPACE Lifelong Learning Seminars. Pop composer and producer Mr Mark Lui talked about ‘The Little Big Things in Arts’, inspiring students to think big. His paintings and art figures were exhibited at the Kwai Hing and Lai King Learning Centres. Mr Marco Wong, whose story inspired the mini-film Love is in Every Moment, shared his joy of cycling around Taiwan with his 3-year-old daughter. He urged students to face life challenges with confidence.

For six years, LiPACE has been organizing the MPF Investment Education Seminar with the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA). On 27 February 2016, Adjunct Lecturer of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Mr Stephen Wong and Manager of External Affairs Division of MPFA Mr Lei Chioc-san, together with Associate Publisher & Head of Research of Hong Kong Economic Times Mr Arthur Shek, shared their insights on retirement planning, MPF account management, global investment markets and investment strategy. Over 750 people attended.

The ninth Students’ Union cabinet, ‘Yeung Ching’, was elected in March 2016.

On 8 March 2016, the Set Sail 2016 Computing and Engineering Career Conference of the School of Science & Technology attracted over 140 student participants. Ten industry practitioners, along with two alumni, spoke on the employment market, career options and business start-ups.

LiPACE and Hong Kong Disneyland announced a joint Higher Diploma programme in resort and theme park management on 20 May 2015. This first such course integrates a 400-hour student internship work experience into its learning module, with guest speakers from senior Disneyland staff.

On 12 March 2016, LiPACE launched various activities to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Director of the Japan Society of Hong Kong and MICEAmbassador of Fukuoka, Mr Alfred Cheung, addressed a Lifelong Learning Seminar on ‘Understanding Food Safety in Japan through Logistics’. That was followed by former Director of the Hong Kong Observatory and Visiting Professor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Mr Lam Chiu-ying. He used examples of post-disaster situations in Japan and around the world, to show the close links between humans and nature. A dance performance was presented by the Institute and the Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong. A photo exhibition on Fukushima was arranged.