College of Computing Hosts Distinguished Seminar on University Education by Turing Award Recipient Prof. John E. Hopcroft

13 December 2024 (Friday)

On 13 December 2024, the College of Computing (CC) was honoured to host a Distinguished Seminar delivered by Prof. John E. Hopcroft, Emeritus Professor at Cornell University and a Turing Award recipient. The seminar, titled “Behind the Scenes of a University Education”, drew a large audience of students and faculty eager to gain insights from one of the most influential figures in computer science.

During the seminar, Prof. Hopcroft explored the mission of universities, emphasizing their core purpose: to educate students to lead fulfilling lives. He addressed a compelling question—why top engineering and science departments hire researchers as faculty when the goal of these institutions is to educate students. Prof. Hopcroft also introduced two major projects in China aimed at improving university education. The first project focuses on evaluating the quality of teaching, which has already yielded impressive results and is being expanded into a national initiative. The second, known as Project 101, is dedicated to advancing e-teaching and enhancing the digital learning experience.

In addition to these topics, Prof. Hopcroft shared his insights on research and emerging directions in computer science. His talk provided inspiring ideas for attendees, who engaged actively during the Q&A session.

(from left) Prof. Lusheng Wang, Professor of Department of Computer Science; Prof. John E. Hopcroft; Prof. Antoni Chan, Associate Dean of College of Computing (Research and Postgraduate); Prof. Minming Li, Associate Dean of College of Computing (Education)

The seminar was met with great enthusiasm, with participants deeply engrossed in the discussion and leaving with valuable takeaways. The College of Computing is delighted by the positive reception of the event and looks forward to organizing more impactful seminars in the future. Stay tuned for more exciting events!