EdUHK President’s Awards Honour Outstanding Staff Members
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held a ceremony on 20 May for the President’s Awards for Outstanding Performance in Teaching, Research, Knowledge Transfer and Administrative Services 2024/25. At the ceremony, EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin presented the awards to eight individual staff members and three teams, for their exceptional achievements and contributions.
Professor Lee congratulated the individuals and teams on their extraordinary performances. ‘I am grateful for the dedication and hard work of all the awardees. Your passion for education and professional attitude have successfully propelled our university forward in the realms of education, innovation, and development. With your outstanding performance in various fields, the University will continue to pursue excellence, embracing every opportunity to reach new heights,’ he said.
There were four winners of the Outstanding Performance in Teaching Award. They were Dr Tiffany Bai Shurui, Assistant Professor of the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology; Dr Chrysa Keung Pui-chi, Assistant Professor of the Department of Education Policy and Leadership; Dr Jane Zhan Ying, Associate Professor of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction; and Dr Chong Yee-ling, Senior Lecturer II of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies.
Dr Bai developed the ‘DIGA’ teaching model, which enhances students' problem-solving skills and broadens international perspectives through Diversity, Innovation, Gamification and Authenticity. Dr Keung collaborated with scholars and educators from other universities and organisations to develop a virtual learning platform that involved approximately 1,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students from EdUHK and two other local universities. Dr Zhan has led three Teaching Development Grant (TDG) projects, creating a series of authentic formative assessment tasks to engage students and enhance their professional skills, resulting in six scholarly teaching publications that have benefitted over 500 students. Dr Chong focuses on the ‘SPARK’ framework, an integrated model built on emphasising Self-efficacy, Peer-mentorship, Adaptability, Reflexive practice, and Kinesthetic learning, aiming to empower students to become proactive learners and embrace lifelong learning.
Dr Angel Ma Qing, Associate Professor of the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages; Dr Lee Ju Seong, Associate Professor of the Department of English Education; and Dr Chrysa Keung Pui-chi (who also received the Outstanding Performance in Teaching Award) won Outstanding Performance in Research Awards.
Dr Ma's research explores the fundamental learning mechanisms of technology-mediated second-language (L2) learning and how these mechanisms inform and shape pedagogical practices. It has been recognised with five international awards and three local awards; Dr Lee was among the world’s top 1% of scientists in language and linguistics according to Stanford University. His Informal Digital Learning of English (IDLE) model assists second-language learners in improving their English proficiency. Dr Keung's research has advanced teacher education and training, receiving an Early Career Scheme and General Research Fund grants, as well as the Outstanding Paper Award at the Hong Kong Studies Annual Conference.
The Outstanding Performance in Knowledge Transfer awards recognise achievements in creating social impact and sustainability in the community.
The individual award went to Professor Yan Zi. His holistic assessment framework was adopted by the Education Bureau in the updated Primary Education Curriculum. He has conducted over 100 professional development workshops, training over 3,500 stakeholders, including principals, teachers and parents, and has also had an impact on education systems in mainland China, Macau, the Philippines and Indonesia.
The team award was won by Dr Annie Hu Xinyun, Assistant Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education cum Assistant Director of the Global Finnish Education Research Institute; Dr Vivienne Leung Wai-man, Assistant Professor of the Department of Early Childhood Education; Dr Sarah Lee Hoi-man, Senior Lecturer II of the Department of Science and Environmental Studies; Mr Mike Chui Hin-leung, Senior Lecturer II of the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology; Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, Chair Professor of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction; and Professor Chiu Ming-ming, Chair Professor of the Department of Special Education and Counselling cum Director of the Analytics\Assessment Research Centre.
Under the leadership of Professor Lee and Dr Hu, the team developed the LDMS: Lived experiences, Discovery of STEM concepts through exploratory activities, the Making of tools or solutions, and the Sharing framework to address key challenges) in STEM education for young children, and created the Make-Play Station, resolving spatial and resource limitations in kindergartens. The Make-Play Station won a Bronze Medal at the Geneva Invention Exhibition 2024 and two silver medals at other global invention festivals.
The Outstanding Administrative Services Award was received by four staff members from The Entrepreneurship Development Unit (EDuce) under the Knowledge Transfer Sub-office (KTSO) of the Research and Development Office: Ms Esther Cheng Ying-chung, Manager; Mr Edwin Li Chak-loi, Assistant Entrepreneurship Development Manager; Miss Debbie Lam Siu-yan, Knowledge Transfer Officer; and Ms Ripley Hau Oi-lun, Project Assistant.
They have pioneered the EASE Fund Scheme, INVESTED Program and also the CEAR to enhance the image and impact of EdUHK and expand opportunities for EdUHK startups.
Established in 2011/12, the President’s Awards recognise and encourage individual and team achievements, fostering the University’s commitment to a performance-driven culture. The full list of awardees is as follows:
Outstanding Performance in Teaching
Individual Award (Early Career Faculty Member Category)
- Dr Tiffany Bai Shurui, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Information Technology
- Dr Chrysa Keung Pui-chi, Assistant Professor, Department of Education Policy and Leadership
Individual Award (General Faculty Member Category)
- Dr Jane Zhan Ying, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Dr Chong Yee-ling, Senior Lecturer II, Department of Science and Environmental Studies
Outstanding Performance in Research
Individual Award (Outstanding Research Award)
- Dr Angel Ma Qing, Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics and Modern Language Studies
Individual Award (Outstanding Early Career Research Award)
- Dr Lee Ju Seong, Associate Professor, Department of English Language Education
- Dr Chrysa Keung Pui-chi, Assistant Professor, Department of Education Policy and Leadership
Outstanding Performance in Knowledge Transfer
Individual Award (Achievements in Creating Social Impacts and Sustainability in the Community)
- Professor Yan Zi, Head, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Team Award (Achievements in Creating Social Impacts and Sustainability in the Community)
- Dr Annie Hu Xinyun, Assistant Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education/ Assistant Director, Global Research Institute for Finnish Education
- Dr Vivienne Leung Wai-man, Assistant Professor, Department of Early Childhood Education
- Dr Sarah Lee Hoi-man, Senior Lecturer II, Department of Science and Environmental Studies
- Mr Mike Chui Hin-leung, Senior Lecturer II, Department of Mathematics and Information Technology
- Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, Chair Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Professor Chiu Ming-ming, Chair Professor, Department of Special Education and Counselling/ Director of the Analytics\Assessment Research Centre
Outstanding Performance in Administrative Services
Team Award
Knowledge Transfer Sub-office, Research and Development Office
- Ms Esther Cheng Ying-chung, Manager
- Mr Edwin Li Chak-loi, Assistant Entrepreneurship Development Manager
- Miss Debbie Lam Siu-yan, Knowledge Transfer Officer
- Ms Ripley Hau Oi-lun, Project Assistant
Certificate of Merit
Department of Health and Physical Education
- Mr Roy Chan Ching-yat, Senior Lecturer I
- Mr Tom Siu Ka-man, Lecturer II
- Ms Samantha Liu Siu-man, Elite Athlete Development Assistant Manager
- Miss Elsa Chan Tsz-tung, Elite Athlete Development Officer
- Mr To Long-yin, Elite Athlete Development Executive
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