More than 40 new faculty members participated in a full day Faculty Orientation Programme on 18 August. It was organised by the Education Development Office (EDO) to prepare new academic staff for their new challenge at City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

The new faculty members had a good opportunity to understand the University's strategic areas of excellence in education and research and to meet senior management as well as fellow newcomers.

Professor Way Kuo, CityU President, welcomed the new faculty to the CityU family. “It is my hope that you will help promote scholarship at the University, offer guidance and suggestions on the University’s future development, and educate the students and have a passionate interest in their well-being,” he said.

New colleagues were invited to introduce themselves and talk about their aspirations at CityU. In response to their comments, Professor Kuo said: “We would like to enhance the academic competitiveness of CityU. Our staff should have confidence and set high standards for what they are doing. Every effort counts in building the brand of CityU.”

Professor Chan Chi-hou, Acting Provost of CityU, briefed the participants on the latest development and plans of CityU, including the University’s strategic plan to become a leading global university excelling in professional education and research. He also talked about career development, promotion and advancement at CityU. Professor Hui Yer-van, Associate Dean of the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies, briefed the newcomers about research at CityU.

Other senior management members present included Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Vice-President (Student Affairs); Dr Ellen Ko Law Yin-lan, Vice-President (Finance and Administration); Professor Julia Tao Lai Po-wah, Acting Vice-President (Development and External Relations) and Chief-of-Staff; Professor Gary Feng Gang, Associate Provost (Academic Planning and Undergraduate Education); and Professor Lilian Vrijmoed Kwan Lee-ping, Advisor to the Vice-President (Student Affairs) on Student Learning.

EDO set up a Resources Fair to familiarise new colleagues with the academic and administrative support available at CityU. Staff from EDO, English Language Centre, Human Resources Office, Library and Student Development Services set up booths to introduce their services and respond to participants’ questions.

In the afternoon, the new faculty members had a chance to talk to students and listen to their needs and expectations of studying at CityU. EDO staff also introduced a number of teaching related concepts and systems at CityU, including the Blackboard e-learning platform, the Outcome-based Teaching and Learning concept, Learning and Study Strategy Inventory and General Education.