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Our Team

Professor Cecilia KY Chan
Professor
Director of TALIC

cecilia.chan@cetl.hku.hk
(852) 3917 8534

Biography
I am the Director and a Professor in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre at The University of Hong Kong (HKU). I was originally born in Hong Kong but grew up in Ireland. In addition to my dual cultural background, I also have a dual discipline expertise in engineering and education; I have been playing an important role in enhancing engineering, business and science education. My combined expertise in these fields and multi-cultural experience enabled me to lead and conduct research on topics such as assessment, technology enhanced learning and the development and assessment of 21st century skills from east to west in the different disciplines.

I hold a PhD in Engineering from Trinity College, a postgraduate diploma and a MA in Higher Education. I have been an active participant in conducting engineering education, generic skills, as well as teaching and learning related workshops. To motivate participation, my workshops are always fun and highly interactive.

I believe in ‘Work Hard Play Hard’ attitude. I enjoy networking and organizing team building activities with my colleagues off work. At work, I am able to come up with lots of creative ideas and I love sharing them with my team members.

Life goals: Still searching

My proudest achievement so far: Lost 30 pounds of weight and becoming inspirational for others to follow!! ☺

Indulgences: My research; my workshops/seminars (I get a bit high presenting); discussion with my husband, my team and other smart people; investing in properties; romance

Inspirational quote: “Work Hard Play Hard and Stay Young!”

My favourite food: Food with love and meaning

Awards
Year Award
2020 Faculty Knowledge Exchange Award
2020 ​HEA Principal Fellowship
2016 36th Round Post-doctoral Fellow Scheme (Research Area: Generic Skills in Education)
2016 HKU Outstanding Young Researcher Award
2011 King’s/HKU Fellowship Awards
2006 DIT Engineering Staff Excellence Achievement Award for the contribution in Student Recruitment and Achievement
2005 DIT Engineering Staff Excellence Achievement Award for the contribution in Student Motivation and Retention
1998 SMART AWARD (Surface Mount and Related Technology Award) National Microelectronics Research Centre (NMRC) and SMART group
1996-2000 PhD Research Scholarship, Forbairt, Irish Enterprise Board
1996-1998 Postgraduate Scholarship Awards Trinity College Dublin
1996 Best Student of the Year Award, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMech E)
1996 Jeffcott Prize Award, Trinity College Dublin
1995 Stanford Smith Prize Award and Book Prize, Trinity College Dublin
1994 Book Prize, Trinity College Dublin

Staff

Dr. Katherine Lee
Post-doctoral Fellow

(852) 3917 6195
kathkw@connect.hku.hk

Biography
Dr. Katherine K. W. Lee is a postdoctoral fellow and part-time assistant lecturer at the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC), the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Originally from Canada, Katherine returned to Hong Kong to complete her Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology and Counselling with First Honours, Master of Journalism with distinction, and Doctor of Philosophy in Education under the Hong Kong Postgraduate Fellowship Scheme. She is passionate about teaching and education, always looking to empower her students and promote a learning environment that is nurturing, engaging, and effective.

Since joining CETL in 2016, Katherine has established herself as a strong teacher and researcher. She has worked closely with her supervisor, Professor Cecilia K. Y. Chan, to develop, organise, and run a series of programmes for secondary and university level students to develop their holistic competencies, acting as a mentor and facilitator for hundreds of students. Katherine’s strong communication and presentation skills have also been demonstrated through her numerous roles as Master of Ceremonies for multiple events and conferences.

As an academic, Katherine’s research interests and areas include teaching and learning in higher education, holistic competencies development, students’ development of self-efficacy, assessment and feedback, reflection in teaching and assessment, and STEM education. She has published several academic journal articles on these topics, including one with Professor Chan on reflection literacy. The paper is available in the Educational Research Review, one of the highest impact factor journals in education. She has more articles in the works, including on the topics of generative Artificial Intelligence in higher education and leadership skills self-efficacy.

Outside of TALIC, Katherine has also worked at the Centre for Applied English Studies (CAES) at HKU as a Peer Writing Consultant, where she guided and supported students, both one-on-one and in workshops, in enhancing their academic writing. She received a Long Service Award as well as the Best Postgraduate Consultant (2021) Award for her work with CAES.

Katherine is a research member of the Teaching and Learning Enhancement and Research Group (TLERG), the Asian Society for Engineering Education (AsiaSEE), and the International Holistic Competency Foundation (IHCF).

Dr. Hannah Wong
Research Fellow

(852) 3917 6071
wonghyh@connect.hku.hk

Biography
Dr. Hannah Y.H. Wong is a research fellow at the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC), the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Hannah completed her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University with First Honours, followed by Master of Arts in Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages at the Institute of Education, University College London, with Merit. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Education at the University of Hong Kong as a holder of the Lee Shau Kee Postgraduate Fellowship.

Hannah is passionate about education in different fields and contexts. As an academic, her research interests and areas include but are not limited to higher education teaching and learning, holistic competencies development, entrepreneurship education, reflection, assessment and feedback, and Arts and Engineering education.

Through her BA and MA education and volunteering experiences in the U.K., Hannah has taught and/or tutored pre-school, primary school, secondary school and adult students in English Language, English Literature and Visual Art. Hannah has joined TALIC (previously named CETL) since 2018 and has worked closely with her supervisor, Professor Cecilia K.Y. Chan in developing, organising, and implementing projects and programmes on teaching and learning in higher education. Hannah is a research member of the Teaching and Learning Enhancement and Research Group (TLERG), the Asian Society for Engineering Education (AsiaSEE), and the International Holistic Competency Foundation (IHCF).

Ms. Wenxin Zhou
PhD Student

(852) 3917 0113
zhouwx@connect.hku.hk

Biography
I am currently a PhD student in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Born and grew up in Ningbo China, I majored in English for my first B.A. degree and then went to the UK to pursue my second B.A. degree in International Business. After graduation, I decided to work as an International Student Tutor in UK for one and a half years and obtained an MBA degree in the meantime. The story probably would have ended if I had chosen to go into business. However, I returned to China and started my career as a teacher in tertiary education.

Before joining the team, I had been working as a lecturer for more than 5 years in Hangzhou China, during which I won the “Excellent Teaching Award” twice (first prize in 2020 and third prize in 2018) and was nominated as “Students’ Favourite Teacher” in 2020. Being a practitioner in education also helped me find my passion in implementing different pedagogies to facilitate students in learning and coordinating with my colleagues to improve teaching practices. I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to turn what I did for a living into possible topics in educational research.

My current research mainly revolves around the development of students’ generic skills/employability through technology-enhanced teaching and learning activities in higher education. I’m also interested in business and entrepreneurship education, especially for STEM students.

Life goals: Stay Healthy, Keep Learning, and Be “Wild”

My proudest achievement so far: There have been several moments when my students tell me that I have brought changes to their mindset.

Indulgences: Anime, Books, Hiking, Jogging and Meditation

Inspirations: “Hyper- and Pessimistic Activism” (Michel Foucault)

Dr. Lillian Luk
Honorary Member

lillianluk@cetl.hku.hk

Biography
I am a post-doctoral fellow at the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. I was originally born in Hong Kong, but grew up in Singapore. I moved back to Hong Kong with my family after completing my undergraduate studies in psychology at the National University of Singapore. Being a language enthusiast back then, I went on to do a Masters in Japanese linguistics at Monash University in Melbourne and also completed a half-year Korean language programme at Sogang University in Seoul.

After deciding to pursue a career in educational research, I have been working as a researcher since 2010, during which I has been involved in a wide range of research projects and have also completed a PhD in Education at The University of Hong Kong. My research interests lie in the area of experiential learning (especially on internship), engineering education, student motivation, generic skills development and assessment.

I enjoy travelling, and I am a dog lover.

Life goal: To have lots of fun and enjoy life, while making a little contribution to the society through my work.

My proudest achievement so far: To be one of the speakers at The 7th International Workshop on Innovative Engineering Education (IEE 2016) held in Jeju, South Korea.

Indulgences: Travelling, Movies & Television Dramas, Korean Pop Music & Concerts, Japanese Character Goods

Inspirations:

Favourite food: Nasi Lemak & Laksa, Sushi, Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (sundubu-jjigae), because they makes me feel nostalgic, bringing back good memories of my stay in different countries.

Current Research
My PhD research project is on student learning through internship experience. Through the use of a mixed methods research design, my study aims to explore what do engineering students learn from their internship experience and how are their perceived learning outcomes influenced by the internship programme design, the host company/organization characteristics, work supervision and assessment. It is hoped that findings from the study can help us rethink the place of internship in the curriculum and inform the design of internship programmes in higher education.

Ms. Louisa Tsi
PhD Student

(852) 3917 8994
louisa94@connect.hku.hk

Biography
I am currently a Research Assistant in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). After completion of secondary education, I was admitted to the Community College of City University to study my Associate Degree in Bilingual Communication Studies (English and Chinese). After two years of studies, I graduated with Distinction and then I was admitted by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) to study my Bachelor of Arts Degree. Majoring in Language and Communication from the School of English and minoring in General Linguistics, I achieved my B.A. with first class honours. Upon my graduation from HKU, I chose to pursue further studies in the United Kingdom. I studied MA Applied Linguistics from the Institute of Education in University College London (UCL) and graduated with distinction after one year of studies. Then, I returned back to Hong Kong to start my first career as a Materials Writer and Editor in Synergy Education Provider Co. Ltd. I worked as the Materials Writer and Editor in Synergy for more than two years before joining TALIC.

Life goals: Explore in different fields and learn different types of knowledge to enrich my horizon

My proudest achievement so far: Graduated from UCL with Distinction for my Master Degree (MA Applied Linguistics)

Indulgences: Travelling, listening to pop Music, watching movies, ice-skating / roller skating, piano

Inspirational quote: Never stop learning because life never stops teaching.

My favourite food: Sushi, Bubble Tea

Ms. Wenjie Hu
PhD Student

(852) 3917 6068
carol_hwj@connect.hku.hk

Biography
I am currently a PhD student in the Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre (TALIC) at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Originally from Shanxi, China, I obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Translation and Interpretation with first class honors, and a Master of Arts in International Organization and International Communication from Zhejiang University, China. Outside of the classroom, I have interned at different education-based institutions and companies, where I developed and maintained an interest in conducting education research. My research interests include but not limit to the educational assessment of generic skills, intercultural education and teaching and learning process in higher education. I believe I am a quick learner, collaborator, and innovator, with persistence and ideal in education. My teacher said that she can always find a sparkle in my eyes. I hope I can keep chasing my dream with passion, and no matter how hard it is, I will never ever give up!

Life goals: Enjoy my life, and contribute my bit to future educational reform

My proudest achievement so far: Having interned in an international organization in Italy

Indulgences: Travelling, watching sports competitions, dancing

Inspirational quote: Living without regrets and moving on

My favourite food: Hotpot, Bibimbap, Spicy rice noodles

Ms. Dong Yifei
Senior Research Assistant

yifei999@hku.hk

 

Past PhD Students

Dr. Hannah Wong (PhD, 2023)

Thesis: “Entrepreneurship in Art and Engineering Education in University Settings”

Dr. Jiahui Luo (PhD, 2023)

Thesis: “Conceptualising and Developing Evaluative Judgement of Holistic Competencies: A Focus on Intercultural Competence in Engineering Education”

Dr. Katherine Lee (PhD, 2023)

Thesis: “Investigating the Development of University Students’ Leadership Skills Self-Efficacy Beliefs During Collaborative Learning”

Dr. Michelle Cheng (PhD, 2019)

Thesis: “Generic Competencies Development through Experiential Learning: Investigating Diversity in First-year Residential Experiences”

Dr. Lillian Luk (PhD, 2019)

Thesis: “Engineering Students’ Experiential Learning Journey: Nurturing Generic Competencies through Internship Experience”