Message from President

This has been a year of exciting progress at our University: our research capability grows, our students shine, our teachers radiant, and our community partnership flourishes.

Our research development reached a key milestone during the year. Applied research is a major focus for the OUHK to develop practical solutions for waste treatment, and to map the impacts of digital interaction on society. Substantial funds from the Research Grants Council and philanthropists enabled us to establish the Institute for Research in Innovative Technology & Sustainability (IRITS), and the Research Institute for Digital Culture & Humanities (RiDCH). A generous donation saw the establishment of the Tin Ka Ping Centre of Chinese Culture to explore, document and preserve our rich heritage of literature, art, craft and performance traditions, for current and future generations to appreciate. That cultural ballast will allow our community to anchor to enduring values.

All our students are encouraged to participate in sports, group activities, exchanges, community services and competitions both local and overseas. They did, and they shone, winning many accolades including the Cup Champion of beginner division at the Standard Chartered — Tertiary Rugby Invitational Sevens Tournament, three second class and three third class awards in the Challenge Cup National Competition, the championship of the Competition for Innovative Design organized by the World Green Organization, the second place in the Tax Debate Competition organized by the Taxation Institute of Hong Kong, and many more. The student experience is designed to enrich each individual beyond academic study and examination performance. In this review, you will see their well-rounded education experience, as well as an enriching university life.

One uniqueness of the OUHK is our advocacy for Education for All. True to our strong faith in lifelong learning, we bridge the gap between university and mass education, and widen the access to knowledge for all. During the year, the University ran two innovative programmes in our Education for All approach: the Great Speaker Series which brings outstanding personalities from within and outside Hong Kong, to share their philosophy and accomplishments in science, economics, education and culture, plus the Open Textbook initiative, for digital access anywhere, removing the burden of costly printed books.

Up to June, eight distinguished speakers have spoken for the Great Speakers Series including world renowned scholars, economists and scientists like Prof. Chang Hsin-kang, Prof. Paul Chu and Prof. Justin Lin Yifu, just to name a few. Through broadcasting the Great Speaker Series as part of the Open for Learning programme on TVB Pearl, all of Hong Kong has become the OUHK lecture hall.

Another initiative towards open learning is the launch of Hong Kong’s first open textbook series, Open English, for use by Primary 1 to Secondary 6 classes. As an exemplar of open and flexible education in Hong Kong, we continuously contribute our extensive expertise to produce and share open learning resources, promoting equal education opportunities. Under our ‘Open Textbooks for Hong Kong’ project, more books including those on university level will be made available to teachers and schools essentially cost- and copyright-free. We are grateful to The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust for the generous donations that made the project possible.

The year also saw the adoption of a formal University motto: ‘公誠毅樸 • 開明進取’ in Chinese and ‘Disce, Progredere, Crea’ in Latin that adds fresh substance to the OUHK’s vision by setting out the goals of our education — nurturing our students to act with integrity and honesty, to pursue truth with an open mind and in harmony with nature, and to strive for success with perseverance.

The motto is first developed in Chinese, integrating the proposals of a distance learning student and a full-time graduate, collected through open invitation to the entire University community. I am glad to note the enthusiastic involvement of all OUHK family members — from students to teachers to our Council Members — that energizes our collective pursuit of educational excellence.

As we chart our own path, we share, exchange and learn from sister institutions in Hong Kong, the mainland and abroad. There are practices of excellence everywhere, for us to gain useful insights. By being open, flexible and responsive, the OUHK can continue to grow as a high-value tertiary education resource for Hong Kong and the region.

Looking ahead, we await in keen anticipation the Government’s award of a block of land at Sheung Shing Street for us to build a Nursing & Health Studies complex. With our ageing population and rising public aspiration for quality healthcare, more trained healthcare professionals are vital to meet community needs. The additional space would enable us to nurture the needed talent and professionals to meet the growing healthcare needs of our community.

I must acknowledge with gratitude the inspiring leadership of our Council Chairman, Dr Eddy C Fong, who retired in June this year after more than a decade of distinguished service. Dr Fong has wholeheartedly supported and guided us to achieve nothing lower than the highest.

I also warmly welcome Mr Michael Wong, who has served eight years on the Council, as our new Chairman, to lead us forward at this exciting and challenging time.

Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong
President
June 2016