UGC applauds unique DEC
A team of dedicated faculty and staff at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has received the 2017 Team Award for Teaching Excellence from the University Grants Committee (UGC) for the groundbreaking Discovery-enriched Curriculum (DEC).
The presentation ceremony on 7 September marked the fourth time that CityU faculty members had received the UGC teaching award since its inception in 2011.
“The team has displayed a bold commitment to this new approach, and worked tirelessly to empower both colleagues and students alike,” said Professor Adrian Dixon, Chairperson of the Selection Panel.
Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, congratulated the team. “It is a testimony to our commitment to excellence in professional education and another indication of the importance and success of the integration of teaching and research," Professor Kuo said.
Professor Feng thanks CityU colleagues for turning the DEC into reality.
The CityU team, led by Professor Gary Feng Gang, Associate Provost (Academic Planning and Undergraduate Education), has been in place since 2011. “We are proud but humble to say that we represent countless colleagues who embody DEC ideals and who have played a very important role in its implementation and success,” said Professor Feng at the ceremony.
Other team members include Professor Cheng Shuk Han, Associate Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences; Dr Ron Kwok Chi-wai, Dean of Students; Dr Linda Lai Chiu-han, Associate Professor in the School of Creative Media; and Dr Eva Lui So Yuk-yuen, Special Assistant and Manager (Boards and Committees).
The DEC provides CityU students with the chance to make an original discovery. When presented with the challenge and opportunity during the transition to the 4-year undergraduate curriculum in 2011, CityU resolved to reinvent the undergraduate experience and redefine the teaching–research nexus, a direction that has been mandated and advocated world-wide by Professor Kuo since he took office in 2008.
“The work of our students inspires us and drives us to further discoveries. To us, this teaching excellence award marks also our learning excellence,” added Professor Feng.
The DEC constitutes a new paradigm for bringing together research, education, interdisciplinarity, entrepreneurship and action for the public good.
Group picture at the presentation ceremony.