Interview with the President
CityU -
where dreams are inspired
President Professor Way Kuo lauds “soulware” being a quintessential element that enables members of the CityU family to achieve their most cherished life goals, and overcome unprecedented challenges we face today.
From research excellence to inspirational ideas advancing university education, we regard CityU as a place where dreams come true. A university degree and a research project ought to be the fulfilment of a long-held ambition. Our role is to nurture that aspiration and provide the time, the space and the resources that will allow it to flourish.
But support is essential, and CityU has been blessed in recent years, according to Professor Way Kuo, CityU President.
“CityU has been a place of dreams for its students, alumni, faculty to fulfil their aspirations over the past years thanks in large part to the support of our former students, our current students, staff and our friends,” he says.
But support is essential, and CityU has been blessed in recent years, according to Professor Way Kuo, CityU President.
“CityU has been a place of dreams for its students, alumni, faculty to fulfil their aspirations over the past years thanks in large part to the support of our former students, our current students, staff and our friends,” he says.
Innovation, creativity and research
Thanks to loyalty and belief in the CityU mission, we have risen to become one of the world's top universities, known for innovation, creativity and research.“We would not be able to make a difference in people's lives unless we have this kind of support. And I am very thankful for that,” Professor Kuo adds.
Innovations in technology are widespread across the University. Standout examples include research into more effective treatments for diseases through the delivering of drugs into the body plus achievements in robotics and antennas, materials science, neuroscience, energy-saving, data transmission and systems for detecting structural deformation in pipes and contaminants in food.
“Several of our top researchers have been recognised by major academies around the world, notably in Canada, Europe, UK and US,” says Professor Kuo, adding that each of these world-class scholars are ably supported by huge teams of professional staff in the background.
The soul of CityU
However, turning dreams into reality requires something more than time, space and resources. Inspiration is a critical element, too. At a fundamental level, people need to be motivated, encouraged and stimulated, argues Professor Kuo.“A point I have made many times in recent years, and one which is enshrined at the core of my most recent publication, is that we need ‘soulware',” says Professor Kuo, referring to his book Soulware: The American Way in China's Higher Education and talks such as his speech at the Leadership and Management Summit co-organised by CityU and Times Higher Education at CityU in July 2019.
Soulware – a rich mix of dedication, hard work and imagination – is the essential companion to hardware and software. Without the right mindset, you cannot truly connect the hardware at a university, such as the facilities, with the software, i.e. programmes and curriculum.
“E-learning can be an innovative way for soulware to exert the mind,” Professor Kuo says.
Another pedagogical development at CityU promoted by the President is the importance of integrating teaching and research. For dreams to come true, teaching and research must not be separated: they must be combined so that those who teach benefit by producing their own research; and those who research share their findings directly with students.
“I am adamant that professors should engage in both teaching and problem-oriented research so that they can transfer their knowledge to explore real-life issues with social impact,” he says.
The realisation of this concept is CityU's School of Data Science (SDSC), the first of its kind in Hong Kong. The use of big data is revolutionising societal and economic development, and at SDSC research and teaching merge. For example, SDSC faculty members plan to use big data to analyse a huge number of legal judgments on the mainland for teachers, legal practitioners and scholars at both the practical hands-on level and the academic/research level.
The Elder Academy, celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2019, encourages senior citizens to pursue their unfulfilled dreams and foster intergenerational harmony on campus.
Lifelong dreams, harmonious campus
Dreams should not be limited by time, either. Dreams can lay unfulfilled for many years, but CityU aims to ensure that no dream is left behind. For example, the Elder Academy established in 2008 with the support of Professor Kuo has enabled over 700 elders to complete their studies alongside the younger generation.“The Academy, which held its 10th anniversary celebration in August 2019, promotes life-long learning and encourages senior citizens to learn new knowledge, exchange ideas with young students and expand their social circle,” Professor Kuo says.
Finally, for dreams to come true, the right ambience is essential. A dull, lifeless environment cannot possibly hope to galvanise people into reaching for their dreams. That's why our exciting art space, the “Indra and Harry Banga Gallery”, will continue to add colour and introduce a rich cultural heritage to campus.
“Recent major events at the gallery have included the work of masters such as Leonardo da Vinci as well as contemporary artists from our School of Creative Media, each of whom has created artwork inspired by their dreams,” he says.
Combining these elements, CityU is spearheading a fresh take on higher education, one that is supported strongly by alumni and current staff and students, one that privileges research excellence, and one that ensures dreams are fulfilled, and never forgotten.
Exhibits from the Leonardo da Vinci: Art & Science, Then & Now exhibition, held at the University's Indra and Harry Banga Gallery in 2019.
