HKUST 2008-2009 Annual Report
9
校長
President’s Report
As our reputation grows, it helps to boost recruitment
of students from overseas. The ratio of non-Mainland
students in our intake of non-local students has increased
to 38%, which enhances the cultural and ethnic diversity
of our student population.
But institutional reputation is only one element in
attracting foreign students. The continuous improvement
in the quality of learning must always be a top priority.
Interestingly, South Korea has begun to question its
traditional reliance on a stringent examination culture. Here
on this campus, we have heard complaints about student
stress. We have a duty to help them cope with pressure
and at the same time help whet their appetite for learning
and personal discovery.
New as I am, already I feel that I have found my true
home here, surrounded by intellectual companions in my
Vice Presidents who are highly respected on the local and
Mainland higher education scene. I feel at home, too, in
the cluster of excellences formed by our heads and deans,
including Prof Shiu Yuen Cheng, Prof Leonard Cheng, Prof
James Lee, Prof Khaled Ben Letaief, Prof Tongxi Yu and
Prof Kar Yan Tam. The depth and breadth of our faculty is
another source of pride.
This year, we have also witnessed many dazzling
achievements of our students and colleagues. We must
keep the momentum going. The year 2009 marks the
60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic
of China. There is a major education overhaul afoot to
give our Nation the quality human resources that it needs
for its next level of development. On a much smaller scale,
that is also what Hong Kong needs.
Science and technology by itself will not complete the
education of well-rounded graduates our society needs.
Our students also need the influence of the humanities
and social sciences. To acquire true innovation in order
to have a larger social impact requires knowledge of a
context that falls within and beyond the discipline. Liberal
studies can provide this context.
The i dea l gr adua t es i n today ’s g l oba l age a re
technologically-savvy, culturally-sensitive, socially-
responsible, and also have the capacity to imagine
the impossible. The new pedagogy under the 3-3-4
system calls for teachers who are designers of learning
experiences, not just instructors. As Aristotle said a long
time ago, true learning is an emotional experience. I hope
this University can become a leader in this new learning
culture based on the principles of old wisdom.
