University Development Forum
Professor Chang launched the 90-minute Forum with a 45-minute overview of the strategic plan, a final draft of which is being prepared for the meeting of the University Council on 25 November. It is expected that the Council will endorse the plan, and that the University can open a new period in its work.
In his talk, the President stressed the importance of quality teaching, the improvement of the student selection process, more streamlined management and a better image-building programme in the new five-year plan. Drawing on remarks he made on the strategic plan in the most recent issue of Linkage, Professor Chang said that while the University had scored spectacular achievements over its short 18-year history, there was much room for improvement.
Looking ahead over the next five years, he said that funding would be one of the key challenges facing the University, in light ofSeveral questions from the floor centred on the University's image problem. Staff noted that there appeared to be a gap between the achievements of the University and CityU's reputation in the greater community. The President said he recognized that such a discrepancy existed and confirmed that he was dedicated to bridging that gap.
"I don't think I can change the perception of the entire community on my own," said Professor Chang. "It requires an effort by everyone." The President once again stressed the importance of quality teaching. This would produce quality graduates, he explained, who would go out into the world and slowly build up CityU's reputation. "Why isThe development forum ended with the President asking everyone to familiarize themselves with the strategic plan, available online at
, and to lend their support to the important new strategy.