The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) announced today (1 February) major moves to bolster its capacity in research and academic development, with the appointment of an additional vice president, and plans to appoint chair professors.

Prof Cheng Yin Cheong has been appointed Acting Vice President (Research and Development) with immediate effect. Prof Kerry J. Kennedy has also been appointed Associate Vice President (Academic), a concurrent administrative position he holds alongside his Deanship of Faculty of Professional and Early Childhood Education.

The HKIEd’s President, Prof Anthony B. L. Cheung, said: “The setting up of this new vice presidential post marks an important step for the Institute’s strategic development. This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to further enhancing our research and academic capacity, as we transform ourselves into a university of education. This is in line with our aspirations and plans as laid down in our Development Blueprint, and also a proactive response to the expectations of our staff members as well as those of the academic community.”

The Vice President (Research and Development) will direct the Institute’s research initiatives in high priority areas. These include: school leadership, assessment, special needs education, language education and literature, pedagogy, teachers and the teaching profession, and citizenship education.

Prof Cheng will be acting in this capacity while a search committee launches a global recruitment for the position. Prof Cheng is currently Director of Centre for Institutional Research and Development at the HKIEd.

In his additional role as Associate Vice President, Prof Kennedy will be assisting the Vice President (Academic) in strengthening the Institute’s academic leadership and developing the academic policies and strategies to meet challenges ahead.

Joining the HKIEd today are Prof Lam Chi Chung and Prof Ng Tze Ming. Prof Lam is appointed Professor of Curriculum & Instruction and Director of General Education. He is also given the concurrent appointment as the new Dean of Students. Prof Ng is appointed Professor and Director of the Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education.

In welcoming the appointments, Prof Cheung said the two professors, with their outstanding academic achievements and a wealth of experience in the local higher education scene, will add to the depth and breadth of the HKIEd’s academic strength.

The Institute will also be recruiting chair professors to major departments and academic areas. Advertisements will be placed from tomorrow (2 February 2008) and the senior management will be paying overseas visits in the next few months in a bid to introduce the HKIEd and attract talents.

“On our way to becoming a University, we are mindful of the need to further strengthen our research capacity. We intend to fill the positions through a combination of internal promotion and open recruitment,” Prof Cheung added.

More than 85 per cent of the HKIEd’s academic staff posses a doctoral qualification. As the largest teacher education provider in Hong Kong, HKIEd offers a full range of university-level undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and professional development programmes, in support of the Government’s policy for “all graduate-all trained” teachers.

The President was speaking after the opening of a three-day carnival held at the HKIEd’s Tai Po campus. In celebration of the approach of the Lunar New Year, the fun-filled event brings together students, staff and the community with a wide range of entertaining activities, including nearly 100 game booths, Cantonese Opera performances, interest classes and parades. Details of the activities can be found at http://www.ied.edu.hk/carnival.

Brief CV of four Professors

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(Please click the photo to get a higher resolution image)

The strategic recruitments reinforce HKIEd's commitment to strengthening its academic and research capacities as moving to a university of education. From Left: Prof Lam Chi Chung, Professor of Curriculum & Instruction, Director of General Education and Dean of Students. Prof Kerry Kennedy, Associate Vice President (Academic) and Dean of Faculty of Professional and Early Childhood Education Prof Lee Wing On, Vice President (Academic) Prof Anthony B.L. Cheung, President Mr Chris Mong Chan, Vice President (Administration) Prof Cheng Yin Cheong, Acting Vice President (Research and Development) and Director of Centre for Institutional Research and Development Prof Ng Tze Ming, Professor and Director of the Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education
The opening ceremony kicks off the three-day carnival with a series of entertaining programmes, including dancing and music performances, auction and cooking competition.
The carnival gathers nearly 100 stalls for various goods and games at HKIEd Tai Po campus.

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