Openlink May 2016‧Vol 25‧Issue 2

As the school year comes to an end, you will have a busy timetable of assignments and examinations to tackle. I hope all of you will be rewarded for your hard work and effort with excellent exam results.
 

Over the past school year, we have heard some heartbreaking stories of local students choosing to give up on life in the face of stress. Perhaps they felt overwhelmed and exhausted by high expectations from parents or seemingly unachievable goals, or perhaps they failed to settle well into school. It is important to remind ourselves that study is not everything in life and that hard times always pass. I call on our students to be proactive and to seek assistance in times of emotional distress.
 

I recently read an article in an English newspaper written by two university students on the subject of mental health support. I share their view that 'seeking support should not be viewed as a flaw or weakness, but as a sign of wisdom and courage for acknowledging that we all need a helping hand from time to time'. As students, they were of the opinion that 'in addition to providing more awareness and counselling services to students, educational institutions should always look for new initiatives to improve mental health support'. I am very much in favour of this idea and gave my full support to our Student Affairs Office in planning and organizing a series of activities with a focus on fostering a caring culture on campus. At the same time, we have invited counselors and psychologist to speak to teachers and students on how to identify schoolmates who may be suffering emotionally and offer support to them.
 

In addition to students' mental health, we also care about the health of the planet. On Earth Day, the OUHK and two environmental organizations jointly held the Carbon Reduction in Hong Kong launch ceremony. Over 200 representatives from different sectors gathered at the OUHK to make a joint pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
 

We can only move forward with mutual support, so let's join hands in our efforts to improve both mental and environmental health here at the OUHK.
 

Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong
President

On Earth Day, 22 April, the OUHK held the Carbon Reduction in Hong Kong launch ceremony in collaboration with Carbon Care Asia and Friends of the Earth (HK). The initiative is part of the city's response to last year's United Nations Climate Change Conference at which 195 countries adopted the Paris Agreement on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global warming. More than 200 senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, green groups, academics and representatives from the business and professional sectors congregated at the OUHK to make a joint pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

Following an expedition last September, the School of Science and Technology returned to the Arctic from 26 February to 4 March with a research journey to Beiji Village in Daxinganling, Heilongjiang. The trip was co-organized by the OUHK's Institute for Research in Innovative Technology and Sustainability, Youth Square and the Polar Museum Foundation, with the sponsorship of China Eastern Airlines for air tickets. Six OUHK Energy and Environmental Management students joined the expedition led by Lecturer Mr Wong Yee-keung and Dr Lau Chi-chung. Samples of water, snow, mud, plankton and plants from Heilongjiang River were taken for experimental research and cultural exchange activities were also organized.

Some 20 media guests were invited to the Chinese New Year Media Luncheon held on 18 February, joining University management to celebrate the Year of the Monkey. Prior to the lunch they visited the Clinical Nursing Education Centre, experiencing the newly developed virtual reality technologies and clinical simulation facilities of the Division of Nursing and Health Studies. They were also briefed on recent OUHK academic and research achievements. President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong shared the University's 2016 development plan, including the launch of the new interdisciplinary Masters of Creative and Cultural Industries Management programme, and the establishment of three more research institutes, namely the Institute of International Business and Governance, the Institute for Research in Open and Innovative Education and the Research Institute for Bilingual Learning and Teaching.

The OUHK received a ten-member delegation from Wuyi University on 28 January to exchange on topics related to computing, information engineering, and electronic and mechanical engineering. Chairman of Board of Directors Mr Wu Rongzhi, Party Secretary Prof. Zhang Kun, Deputy Secretary Mr Li Aikang and President Prof. Zhang Yunhua of Wuyi University, together with several Deans from related disciplines met with OUHK President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong and members of the senior management. The delegation also visited the testing and certification laboratories with representatives from the OUHK programmes in the field.

Over 680 guests and staff enjoyed a cozy gathering at the Closing-of-the-year Luncheon Party on 21 January. On the occasion, Council Chairman Dr Eddy C Fong and President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong thanked colleagues for their concerted efforts and contributions over the past year. Prof. Wong also sang a song to express his gratitude to colleagues. Performances, games and a lucky draw livened up the party in celebration of the Chinese New Year.

The Law Department of the Central Government's Liaison Office in the Hong Kong SAR visited the OUHK on 20 January. Led by Director-General Prof. Wang Zhenmin, the delegation consisted of former Director-General Dr Liu Xinkui, Deputy Director Mr Liu Chunhua and Head of Research Office Mr Wang Jianyuan. President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong, the Vice-Presidents and senior management received the delegation and outlined the University's recent accomplishments and future development plans. The meeting was followed by a visit to the testing and certification laboratories and multimedia laboratories.

This year the OUHK was thrilled to have over 300 staff, students and alumni joining the OUHK Marathon Team to run in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on 17 January. To prepare for the race, the University organized two training workshops conducted by the Nike Running Team and OUHK Runner Club on 5 December 2015 and 5 January 2016 respectively. On the day of the race, members gathered for photos to mark their marathon achievement.

On 10 January, President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong led 20 OUHK staff, students and alumni on the Hong Kong and Kowloon Walk for Millions. The walk, organized by the Community Chest, raises funds for a wide range of welfare services in Hong Kong.

On 4–7 January, the Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration held a residential school for its 199 postgraduate students from 13 partner institutions in the mainland and Taiwan. A student of the Master of Laws in Chinese Business Law programme and 198 students of the Master of Business Administration programme took part. After a series of seminars and a visit to Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the residential school culminated in a graduation ceremony on 8 January on the Ho Man Tin campus.

After nearly 27 years of service at the University, Dr Yuen Kin-sun is stepping down from the post of Director of Educational Technology and Publishing in May this year. Over the years, Dr Yuen and his colleagues have developed a great number of distance learning materials that have won public praise and recognition for their quality.
 

Prior to joining the OUHK, Dr Yuen was already an expert in his field, responsible for designing course materials for adult learners at the then Hong Kong Polytechnic. As a strong believer in the principles of open education, he seized the opportunity to head the education technology centre at the then Open Learning Institute in July 1989.
 

During these early days, he very often needed to work at weekends, shooting educational TV programmes and even training tutors. When asked about his fondest memory during his years of dedicated service, he replies with a grin, 'I would say the colleagues. We have a great team and I really enjoy working with them.'
 

Under Dr Yuen's leadership, the ETPU reached a number of significant educational and technological milestones: in 1992 the unit produced its first CD-ROM — A History of Hong Kong 1842–1984 — which was well received in the educational community; in 1996 came the first degree programme in Chinese; in 1999 the University's Online Learning Environment was launched. Dr Yuen has steadily guided his team through the developments of the online and mobile learning revolution. Most recently, he has been actively involved in the Open Textbooks for Hong Kong project. These resources under an open copyright licence are set to bring a sea change in Hong Kong's educational scene.
 

Dr Yuen is himself a lifelong learner. As a keen windsurfer, he intends to enjoy more days out at sea after retirement. He also has plans to embark on a pilgrimage to sacred sites on the Japanese island of Shikoku. However, his mission in open education is by no means over: he will continue to work as a consultant for the Open Textbooks project and continue to put his many years of course development experience to the service of education for all.

Dr Kris Wong was appointed Director of LiPACE in January. Ready to take on new challenges, such as launching high-quality signature programmes that can set LiPACE apart from the competition, Dr Wong is cheerful and excited despite his heavy workload. 'Every day reveals new opportunities that drive us to continuously expand and develop,' he says.
 

Education makes a difference

A professional physiotherapist, Dr Wong shifted his career from hospital to university in order to be able to make a greater impact on people. 'A single pair of hands may not be able to make a big difference, but through education we can train up a body of talent who will assist more patients,' he explains. He is currently organizing a physiotherapy programme, providing aspiring learners professional training to enter the industry and to meet growing demand in society.
 

Multi-directional development

Dr Wong's plans show broad and diverse vision, and he describes them clearly and succinctly. 'We will further develop the programmes in our existing framework, for example by enhancing interaction between the community and programmes like the Capacity Building Mileage Programme and the Elder Academy. We will also respond to the needs of society and offer more new courses.'
 

'Opening up additional study pathways, achieving recognition from professional bodies and creating a career-oriented curriculum — these are the three areas that the future development of our full-time programmes will focus on. This will be achieved through strengthening collaboration with large enterprises, introducing business professionals to provide career guidance, enriching students' work experiences in job internships, and fostering closer academic ties with the University,' he adds.
 

Student-oriented

Dr Wong values interaction with students, feeling that they have a positive attitude and an enquiring mindset, but lack self-confidence. He encourages them to discover their talent and develop self-confidence through participating in different activities, such as external competitions. 'No matter whether they win or not, students who participate become more systematic and organized in both their thinking and behaviour,' he says.
 

Serving the community with expertise

A hectic work schedule means Dr Wong spends long hours sitting at his desk, and as a physiotherapist, he knows that a change in posture from time to time can relieve discomfort and promote wellness. The notion of change applies to his daily life too. He often switches his role from leader of the Institute to volunteer who visits residential care homes and designs health-boosting exercises for the elderly, striving to continue his mission to help people using his expertise.

The Alumni Association of the OUHK held its Annual General Meeting on 6 March where board members and conveners of interest groups reviewed the past year's performance and presented plans for the coming year. New board members were also appointed.

A new facebook fanpage is now ready for all alumni. 'Like' our page at www.facebook.com/OUHKAAO to receive the latest updates about activities, member benefits and alumni groups!

OUHK alumna Ms Katie Shu Sui-pui has generously contributed HK$1 million to launch the 'We Can Fly' programme, which sponsors science and technology students to take part in local and overseas academic competitions and conferences.
 

At a special cheque presentation luncheon, President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong thanked Ms Shu and explained that 'the OUHK continually encourages students to participate in academic competitions and conferences as we believe that these value-adding activities enhance students' creativity and competitiveness, shaping them to become the driving force of innovation.'
 

Ms Shu received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language and Translation from the OUHK in 2006 and has since been making philanthropic donations to support her alma mater's development projects, including the student assistance fund, bursaries for working fathers, as well as the research and publication fund. She was conferred an Honorary Fellowship in 2014 for her unstinting support to the University.

The Office of Mainland Affairs of the OUHK is committed to promoting the University's programmes to mainland students. On 9 January and 4 February, the Office received two delegations of high school students from Shanghai and Guangxi respectively, introducing admission information about our undergraduate programmes. It also received delegates from Yulin Normal University of Guangxi on 26 February and organized an information seminar on postgraduate study at the OUHK. Furthermore, Mainland China Projects Coordinator Ms Shi Xuemei visited Zhongshan Huaqiao Middle School on 9 January and hosted a seminar on the admission requirements of the OUHK undergraduate programmes.