The new University of Education will take a lead in creative and innovative education, and in promoting new pedagogy and curriculum reforms for the benefit of the next generation, the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) said today (20 February).

In paving its way to becoming a leader in education, Professor Anthony B.L. Cheung pledged to further strengthen the Institute’s academic and research capacity by deepening subject discipline strengths while investing in cutting-edge research centres and expanding applied research.

He was speaking at the first Institute Forum since he took office last month. The forum was attended by over 400 students and staff. From university titling to campus enhancement, staff and students engaged the President and the three vice presidents while the speakers took the opportunity to gather their views on the Institute’s developments.

Prof Cheung told the students that student development tops the Institute’s agenda. “A participatory environment in which students can stretch their potentials is critical as we transform into a premier education university. The Institute strives to enhance student development with total learning experience, to prepare new teachers for the new global generation.”

Also speaking at the forum, Vice President (Academic) and Deputy to the President, Prof Lee Wing On, elaborated on the proposed direction of programme diversification and discipline area expansion outlined in the Institute’s Academic Development Proposal for the 2009-2012 Triennium. Acting Vice President (Research and Development), Prof Cheng Yin Cheong, highlighted the strategies and expansion plans for research and development, while Vice President (Administration), Mr Chris Mong Chan, provided the forum with an update on various campus enhancement projects and human resources initiatives.

"The Institute Forum is another initiative to promote transparency, collective wisdom and open dialogue as HKIEd becomes the university of education,” Prof Cheung added.

In addition to the quarterly Institute Forum, Prof Cheung will also host weekly breakfast meetings with staff and students.

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

President Prof Anthony B.L. Cheung (second left) together with Vice President (Academic) and Deputy to the President, Prof Lee Wing On (second right), Acting Vice President (Research and Development) Prof Cheng Yin Cheong (first right) and Vice President (Administration) Mr Chris Mong Chan (first left), fields students' and staff's questions at the first Institute Forum.
At the Forum, President Prof Anthony B.L. Cheung encourages the students and staff to "think BIG" and "act BIG".

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