To further its fundraising capabilities and build a long-term partnership with its alumni, friends and supporters, the University established the HKMU Foundation on 1 September, inviting more support for its general development, campus development, and research and student development projects. The Foundation is delighted to have long-time supporter Dr Peter Lee Kwok-wah, Executive Director of Crowning-United Company Limited, step up as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee, while Deputy Chairmanships are served by Dr Gerald Siu Chi-sing, Director of San Ho Enterprises Company Limited, Mr Henry Tong Sau-chai, Managing Director of Wong Hau Plastic Works & Trading Co., Ltd., and Dr Vincent Woo Wing-fai, Managing Director of Wing Sheung (Holdings) Ltd.
HKMU has always placed an emphasis on learning tools that can enhance teaching and learning. With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the University promptly formulated the corresponding instructions and singled out the advanced GPT-4 model to build its own ChatGPT Web Portal. Launched on 21 August for staff and 1 September for students, the portal is bringing a host of benefits to teaching, learning, research and university operations by assisting with brainstorming ideas, analysing data, summarising figures, translating languages and generating code snippets, to give a few examples.
HKMU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FSE Lifestyle Services Limited on 14 September to bring students a range of learning opportunities that will help them keep abreast of the service industry. The list of initiatives covered by the MOU includes curriculum design, learning activities, applied research projects and community service activities. In the upcoming year alone, FSE Lifestyle will place 52 HKMU students from 11 programmes in seven of its Group companies. It will also guide students on their graduation projects, participate in the HKMU Career Fair and give career talks at the University.
Dr Li Kam-cheong, Dean of the School of Open Learning (SOL), has received two international awards in recognition of his outstanding services and contributions to open and distance education. They are the Meritorious Service Award 2023 from the Asian Association of Open Universities and the Prize of Excellence from the International Council for Open and Distance Education.
One of Dr Li's notable achievements was establishing the Institute for Research in Open and Innovative Education (IROPINE) at HKMU. He has also been organising and chairing the annual International Conference on Open and Innovative Education (ICOIE) to promote open education and encourage research in relevant fields since 2014. After he took up the role of Inaugural Dean of the SOL, the School has strengthened the provision of student support for undergraduate and postgraduate distance learning programmes.
