Mr Lau Kwok-leung, a secondary school teacher and a graduate from bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), is one of 42 winners of the Chief Executive’s Award for Teaching Excellence 2005-2006.

Mr Lau earned his Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Applied Physics in 1993, and he has spent the past 11 years teaching physics at the Assembly of God Hebron Secondary School. He upholds the philosophy that “learning physics can be fun”. He has designed and implemented a number of interesting activities that promote the learning of his students.

Mr Lau said he benefited a lot from a professional education and flexible curriculum while he was studying at CityU. “In addition to courses for our majors, CityU students can select electives from other disciplines. These courses help enhance the breadth of our knowledge. I can remember very clearly the electives I took in business and social studies, both of which gave me knowledge beyond that of my major,” he said.

Mr Lau believed that selling a product was similar to promoting knowledge to students. That is why Mr Lau returned to his alma mater in 1999 to pursue a Master of Business Administration.

Mr Lau said he would like to thank Dr Chan Kwok-sum, Dr Cheung Ho-fai and Dr Robert Li Kwok-yiu, associate professors in the Department of Physics and Materials Science (AP), for their support during and after his studies. “I would also like to thank Dr Jenny Lee Shu-yee, the Associate Head in the Department of Management, for her inspiring lectures and her belief that a lively class can stimulate students’ learning and thinking. This experience has had a very positive influence on my teaching,” Mr Lau said.

Despite a busy schedule, Mr Lau devotes a great deal of time to supporting alumni affairs at CityU by building links with AP graduates in his role as AP alumni ambassador.

During the CityU Walkathon cum Fun Day in 2001, one of his most memorable alumni activities, Mr Lau invited along his Form 4 students to help raise funds for the University’s student hostels project and to learn more about the University where he was transformed from a student into a professional.

Organized by the Education and Manpower Bureau and sponsored by the Quality Education Fund, the award recognizes teaching excellence and fosters professional development. The assessment panel, comprising experts and academics from the education sector, experienced school heads and front-line teachers, recommended 20 nominations (42 teachers) for this year’s award. Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR Donald Tsang officiated at the presentation ceremony on 8 July.