The Advisory Board of the Division of Science and Technology (DST) held its second meeting on 24 February 2014.
Board members included Chairman Prof Wong Yuk Shan, Vice-President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Convenor Prof Stephen Chung, Dean of DST; other members Dr Chung Kiu Wong, Co-founder and Vice-Chairman of AsiaSoft; Ms Molly Kung, Director of Chinachem Charity Foundation; Mr Jiang Shihong, Chairman of Yuchai Marine Power Co Ltd; Ms Song Yakun, CEO of Fu Yuan Guan Ltd, Jilin Province; and Prof Fang Kaitai of the Statistics Programme of DST.
Also invited to attend were UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai, Associate Dean of DST Dr Karen Poon, Programme Director (PD) of Applied Psychology Dr Ghee Ho, PD of Computer Science and Technology Dr Su Weifeng, PD of Financial Mathematics Dr Peter Lam, PD of Food Science and Technology Dr Lei Bo, PD of Environmental Science Dr Donald Lee, and PD of Statistics Dr Ye Huajun.
In his welcoming speech, President Ng noted the important contributions of the Advisory Board to the development of the Division and UIC. He revealed that UIC will soon be granted a plot of land by the Zhuhai Municipal Government to build a new campus.
Prof Ng Ching-Fai introduces the design scheme of the new campus
Chairman Prof Wong praised the steady advancements of UIC, and expressed his admiration of what UIC has achieved in its short history.
Committee Chairman Prof Wong Yuk Shan heaps praise on UIC’s growth in less than a decade
Prof Stephen Chung briefed members on the major developments of UIC and DST in the past year. He explained that since last year UIC has been admitting “Band I” students in Guangdong Province, using the 6-3-1 scheme, that is, results of the National College Entrance Exam account for 60%, UIC administered exam contributes to 30% and performance in high school 10%.
He also showed the architectural plan for the new campus mentioned by President Ng. As for DST, Prof Chung informed members the establishment of the Food and Environmental Center with the goal of conducting research in these areas as well as providing consultancy, education and service to the community.
Prof Stephen Chung explains DST’s development in the past year
He also informed members that DST has been working on the master programme collaborations with Georgetown University, Victoria University of Wellington and Griffith University. So far a MoU has been signed between UIC and Georgetown University. Georgetown University will lower its GPA requirement for UIC students because it recognizes their excellent qualities.
Members agreed that food and environmental safety are important issues for China and establishing a center for research and education in these areas will serve the community well. Knowing the limited resources of UIC and DST, they recommended several areas that the Center should focus its attention on. As to the future development of the Division, members pointed out that DST should keep in mind that UIC’s mission is to be the premier liberal arts college in China, and therefore the programmes should not be restricted to narrow professional fields.
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| External members of the DST Advisory Committee advise on DST’s development |
Members advised that DST should pay attention to any new national, provincial, and local government policies. These policies are usually backed by substantial funding for their implementations. DST staff should tap into these funds to support their research.
DST Advisory Committee and Programme Directors
(from DST, with special thanks to the ELC)
